Devils Acquire Jay Leach and Steven Zalewski from Sharks

Via the SJ beat writer blog Working the Corners, David Pollack reports that the Devils have traded forwards Patrick Davis and Michael Swift to San Jose for former Devil Jay Leach and Steven Zalewski. Not a significant trade and one that might affect the Devils, but still a trade nonetheless.

Editor's Take: Hark, it's the return of Jay Leach! But seriously, both players are on the final year of their two-way deals according to CapGeek: Leach's contract, Zalewski's contract.

over 1 year ago Kevin Sellathamby 19 comments 0 recs |

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what… wasn’t swift a good prospect …

by KovyisLove on Feb 9, 2011 9:38 PM EST reply actions

Swift has spent the last three seasons with the Devils’ AHL affiliate…. considering he hasn’t been given a shot at the NHL level yet, I suspect Lou Lamorello considers him “organizational depth” and nothing more. Looking at Zalewski, I see similar numbers, except in the PiMs column.

I gather this trade was made to get another veteran presence on the blue line, and little more. Helps in the near future with Volchenkov suspended, and perhaps if a couple of D-men are traded in the next few weeks…. but Leach isn’t much of a much.

by acasser on Feb 9, 2011 9:42 PM EST up reply actions

Let’s hear it for minor deals!

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by John Fischer on Feb 9, 2011 9:38 PM EST reply actions

question… Leach in instead of fraser?

by KovyisLove on Feb 9, 2011 9:43 PM EST up reply actions

Why would we go after a 31 year old Jay Leach?

I also thought Swift was a decent looking prospect. I cant really find much on Zalewski, which doesnt bode well as far as I am concerned. Im not that concerned though because it is all minor league guys and I also believe that Lou thought it was a good idea then it will prolly be a good idea.

by Jacob Shepherd on Feb 9, 2011 9:42 PM EST reply actions

Swift was a good scorer for Albany but he was too small for NHL play. From an AHL perspective this doesn’t make a lot of sense if you are comparing the players. This does however allow Henrique/Josefson to be full time centers.

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by Tom Stivali on Feb 9, 2011 9:48 PM EST up reply actions

Doesn’t seem like this is anything more than an AHL move. I doubt any of these players have a future in the NHL

by C.J. Richey on Feb 9, 2011 9:45 PM EST reply actions

I could perhaps see Leach playing in the NHL if the correct situation allowed for it.

by Jacob Shepherd on Feb 9, 2011 9:47 PM EST up reply actions

Leach is a depth defenseman, and useful in situations where you don’t want to throw more rookies to the wolves…. for example, if you have a veteran blue-liner suspended for a questionable hit. The Devils lost him on re-entry waivers last season.

by acasser on Feb 9, 2011 9:51 PM EST up reply actions

Steven Zalewski went to Clarkson College

(Majored in Wraparounds)

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by Matthew Ventolo on Feb 9, 2011 9:47 PM EST reply actions 3 recs

That’s funny. Do you know if he minored in toe-drags?

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by FrankG929 on Feb 9, 2011 10:59 PM EST up reply actions

The Blackhawks acquire Frolik. It seems the trading season has officially begun.

by TheTrapezoidConspiracy on Feb 9, 2011 9:49 PM EST reply actions

Lou thinks we have a shot

C’mon people!

Helps in the near future with Volchenkov suspended, and perhaps if a couple of D-men are traded in the next few weeks

Why not just call up another D man from Albany if the season’s lost? Lou wants a more experienced guy (with an expiring contract). Leach fills in for the next 3 and then gets sent down barring trades. SJ seemed likely since Lou has a good relationship with the GM (Mogilny favor).

If the Devils win the next three games, the dynamic changes completely. News on Marty has to come back & Arnott could be kept.

It’s a minor move, but Lou saw the thinness on the blueline and instead of saying ho hum, he exchanged some pawns for a shot at taking out some larger pieces on the board.

I have respect for most sports fans with 2 exceptions: NY Ranger fans who grew up in New Jersey, and Dallas Cowboy fans who can't name the capital of Texas.

by Cherno77 on Feb 9, 2011 9:53 PM EST reply actions

Here’s Leach’s only point as a Devil – An assist on a Parise Goal in a 7-3 rout against the Bolts (Zubie’s 4 goal game)

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by Matthew Ventolo on Feb 9, 2011 9:56 PM EST reply actions

Some thoughts:

This trade allows Josefson and Henrique to play on different lines as centers. One of them replaces Swift and maybe Vasynuv gets moved up to more of a scoring line.

It also says that Tyler Eckford might not be coming back anytime soon.

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by Tom Stivali on Feb 9, 2011 9:58 PM EST reply actions

This is actually a nice move then. This allows the kids more playing time.

In Lou We Trust: SBN Blog of the New Jersey Devils
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by Matthew Ventolo on Feb 9, 2011 10:17 PM EST up reply actions

Zalewski is also listed as a center, so I’m confused how it allows for that.

by Triumph44 on Feb 10, 2011 9:37 AM EST up reply actions

I had read that Zalewski was a 2nd line/3rd line winger this year.

Coming into the year he was ranked 7 of the Sharks prospects. Maybe a change of scenery will help him bounce back.

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by Tom Stivali on Feb 10, 2011 10:56 AM EST up reply actions

Hey, I made a post about this just now

Because, well, why not? It’s a trade, it’s news, and it even has stats on each of these guys (no one will impress you, but you may be amazed that 28 points is good enough 2nd in scoring in Albany. Not a good amazed but whatever.)

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by John Fischer on Feb 9, 2011 10:17 PM EST reply actions

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