Leafs move Lombardi back to Coyotes

[Guest]

The Toronto Maple Leafs have traded forward Matthew Lombardi to the Phoenix Coyotes for a conditional draft pick.

According to TSN Insider Darren Dreger, Toronto receives a fourth-round draft pick that would turn into a third-rounder should Lombardi re-sign in Phoenix after this season. The Leafs will retain the $500,000 signing bonus owed to Lombardi as well as a portion of his remaining salary in the deal.

Lombardi scored eight goals and added 10 assists in 62 games with the Maple Leafs last season. Toronto acquired Lombardi, alongside Cody Franson, from the Nashville Predators in the summer of 2011 in exchange for Brett Lebda, Robert Slaney and a conditional draft pick.

The 30-year-old forward returns to the Coyotes for his second tour of duty, having previously suited up for the team for two seasons between 2008 and 2010. It was with Phoenix that Lombardi registered a career-high 53 points in 2009-10.

Originally drafted in the third round (90th overall) of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft by the Calgary Flames, Lombardi has scored 97 goals and added 157 assists in 508 career NHL games between the Flames, Coyotes, Predators and Maple Leafs.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=413721

[wr50l]

I don't think Phoenix are particularly poised for a deep playoff run, but Lombardi does add a little bit of game breaking speed to an otherwise very methodical low-scoring team. Nice trade for them and it frees up the Laughs who have a lot of depth at centre.

[leaffan]

Fuck my penalty kill in NHL13 1v1 games online is going to lose that speed cheese now.

[leaffan]

On a serious note this is good as they try and find ways to shed Centermen. Tim Connolly is hopefully next.