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The Carolina Hurricanes aren't done with their deconstruction job just yet.
On Saturday the Canes traded defenseman Tim Gleason to the division-rival Washington Capitals for defenseman Jack Hillen and Arizona's fourth-round pick in the 2015 NHL draft. Gleason, on his second tour of duty with the Canes after signing a one-year deal in the offseason, has now been traded away from Carolina in consecutive years, the first coming on New Year's Day last year when he was shipped to the Toronto Maple Leafs for John-Michael Liles. In 55 games this season with the Canes, Gleason scored six points and skated to a minus-18.
Hillen, 29, joins his fourth NHL organization since breaking in with the New York Islanders in 2008. An oft-injured player who has found it difficult to hold down a consistent lineup spot, in his three seasons in Washington Hillen has only played 71 games, 35 of which have come this season. Hillen has scored five points this season, all assists, and he averages around 10-11 minutes of ice time per game. He played on the third pairing last night in the Caps' 3-0 loss to the Canes at PNC.
The release from the team is below.
‘CANES ACQUIRE HILLEN, DRAFT PICK FOR GLEASON
Carolina picks up another 2015 fourth-round pick in deal
Ron Francis, Executive Vice President and General Manager of the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that the Hurricanes have acquired defenseman Jack Hillen and a fourth-round pick in the 2015 NHL Draft from the Washington Capitals in exchange for defenseman Tim Gleason.
"Tim has been a steady presence on and off the ice for our team, and I wish him all the best in Washington," said Francis. "This gives us a chance to take a look at Jack for the remainder of the season and continue to accumulate assets for a deep draft this summer."
Hillen, 29, is in his eighth NHL season and has totaled five assists in 35 games for Washington this season. The Minnetonka, MN, native has appeared in 301 career NHL games with the Islanders, Predators and Capitals, earning 71 points (13g, 58a) and totaling 157 penalty minutes. Hillen (5’10", 190 lbs.) established career highs in goals (4), assists (18) and points (22) with the Islanders during the 2010-11 season. His full career statistics are below.
The 2015 fourth-round selection acquired by the Hurricanes is Arizona’s pick, acquired by Washington when the Capitals traded Martin Erat and John Mitchell to the Coyotes on March 4, 2014.