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 in 2014 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.
"We are very pleased to bring a player like Matthew back to our team," said Coyotes GM Don Maloney. "Matthew is a very strong skater who will add quickness and skill to our lineup. He is an intelligent centre who will be a great addition to our team and provides us with added depth at the centre position."
Lombardi will make US$3.5 million this season before becoming an unrestricted free agent.
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.
