DETROIT – The Detroit Red Wings have acquired center David Legwand in a trade with the Nashville Predators.
In exchange for Legwand, the Predators acquire winger Patrick Eaves, a prospect and a 3rd round pick from Detroit. That prospect is 22-year-old Calle Jarnkrok who has played 57 games this season with the AHL's Grand Rapids Griffins. Detroit acquired Jarnkrok in the 2nd round (51st overall) of the 2010 NHL draft.
The Red Wings likely made the move for Legwand at the trade deadline due to persistent injuries at the center position, including stars Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg, and the speedy Darren Helm. With so many injuries down the middle, 25-year-old Joakim Andersson had been listed as the team's top center. Johan Franzen, who normally plays wing, was taking faceoffs throughout Tuesday night's game in New Jersey.
Legwand, 33, is a native of the Detroit area. He played junior hockey with the Ontario Hockey League's Plymouth Whalers. He was selected 2nd overall by the Predators in the 1998 NHL Draft. He has played with Nashville since the 1999-2000 season.
He has become known for his solid two-way play and aggressiveness at the faceoff.
This season, Legwand has 10 goals and 30 assists in 62 games with the Predators. Statistically, Legwand's most productive season was in 2006-2007 when he score 23 goals and 36 assists in 78 games.
In 2011-2012, he scored 19 goals and 34 assists in 78 games.