Toronto, ON). Today Toronto dealt rookie stay-at-home defender Marc Staal to the LA Devils for offensive minded defender Chris Campoli, prospect TJ Hensick, and 2010 Quebec #1 draft pick. This deal is a surprise as Staal was looked at as a cornerstone of the defense for the Wolfpack. However, recent acquisitions last year solidifed the left side of the defense with Jim Vandemeer and Andrew Alberts playing the same bottom six defensive position.
Toronto GM Thom Welch said, "we hate to lose Marc but the return from LA has us excited for the future. We feel we had enough depth at LD to move Marc and now we have three 1st round draft selections in next years draft which looks to be a strong class of prospects." Welch added, "Chris Campoli will likely see time on the powerplay and Hensick gives us a decent prospect in need of ice time to mature. We are happy with the deal and wish Marc and LA well in the future.
The Wolfpack top 6 defense now includes Nik Kronwall, Joe Corvo, Fedor Tyutin, Tom Poti, Brad Stuart, and Vandemeer/Alberts/Campoli. As Poti and Stuart are in the final year of their contracts, the blueline may look a lot different next year as well...but this doesn't seem to phase Welch or the Toronto front office brass.
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