Sharks trade Wingels to Senators for 2 players, draft pick
The Ottawa Senators have acquired forward Tommy Wingels from the San Jose Sharks in exchange for forwards Buddy Robinson and Zack Stortini, along with a seventh-round draft pick in 2017.
"Tommy has been a valuable member of our franchise for many years, a phenomenal teammate and a true role model on and off the ice for our organization and the NHL," Sharks general manager Doug Wilson wrote in a statement. "As a team evolves and younger players push for roster spots, unfortunately tough decisions have to be made. We wish Tommy and his wife, Molly, nothing but success in the future."
Wingels, 28, has recorded five goals and three assists in 37 games while largely serving as the Sharks' fourth-line center this season. He's under contract through the end of this season at a cap hit of $2.45 million, and as part of the deal, San Jose will retain 30 percent of his salary.
Drafted in the sixth round back in 2008, all of Wingels' 337 regular-season games and 45 playoff appearances have come with the Sharks.
The trade bolsters Ottawa's forward ranks for a potential playoff push in light of Clarke MacArthur's inability to play this season. The Sharks, meanwhile, are able to open a roster spot for younger talent while adding size, depth, and a draft pick to their system.
#Sharks save $731,500 in projected cap space with Wingels trade, which gives the team some breathing room to activate Tomas Hertl off LTIR.
— CapFriendly (@CapFriendly) January 24, 2017
Wingels is expected to join the Senators on Wednesday and could be in the lineup as early as Thursday against Calgary.