The Anaheim Ducks and Toronto Maple Leafs got a jump start on the Feb. 28 NHL trade deadline Wednesday, as the Ducks acquired veteran defenseman Francois Beauchemin and winger Joffrey Lupul was sent to Toronto. The Leafs also got the rights to Jake Gardiner, a blue-line prospect playing college hockey at Wisconsin, as well as a conditional fourth-round draft pick in 2013. The trade addresses key needs for both teams. Anaheim has been seeking help on defense all season long. They got it by re-acquiring Beauchemin, a former member of their 2007 Stanley Cup champion team. The Leafs, meanwhile, have been looking for help up front and hope Lupul can help spark their attack. "We are thrilled to be able to reacquire Francois," Ducks general manager Bob Murray said in a statement. "He is a physical, puck-moving defenseman with tremendous character. "We would also like to wish Joffrey Lupul well in Toronto. He's worked very hard to return from a serious ailment and we hope he can get his career back on track," Murray said. Read more: http://sports.espn.go.com/los-angeles/nhl/news/story?id=6104968
