Maple Leafs trade for Steckel

The New Jersey Devils have traded centre David Steckel to the Toronto Maple Leafs for a fourth-round pick in next year's draft.

The deal with the Maple Leafs on Tuesday enables the Devils to shed Steckel's $1.1 million US salary cap hit. He has two years remaining on his contract.

The 29-year-old Steckel had one goal in 18 games last season with the Devils after being acquired from Washington at the trade deadline for center Jason Arnott.

Steckel is perhaps best known for his hit to the head of Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby, while playing for Washington, in the Winter Classic on Jan. 1. Crosby absorbed another hit in a game four days later and hasn't played since then.