Maple Leafs trade Malgin to Avalanche for Hunt

The Toronto Maple Leafs traded forward Denis Malgin to the Colorado Avalanche on Monday in exchange for forward Dryden Hunt, the teams announced.

Malgin, 25, recorded two goals and two assists in 23 games with the Leafs this season while averaging 11:37 of ice time per contest. He was recently given a chance to play on Toronto's second line with John Tavares and Mitch Marner but couldn't make the most of it.

Hunt, 27, has tallied two goals in 28 games this campaign split between the Avalanche and New York Rangers while playing a fourth-line role.

Malgin carries more offensively ability, but Hunt has proven to be a strong defensive player in his 193-game NHL career.

Denis Malgin has limited NHL ice time over the last three season....however....the trade is one-for-one and that's what these charts are made for! pic.twitter.com/aFFt1gM62R

- Evolving-Hockey (@EvolvingHockey) December 19, 2022

Hunt also brings plenty of physicality, as he's registered 69 hits this season and 153 in 76 games with the Rangers in 2021-22.

The Leafs acquired Malgin from the Florida Panthers in February 2020 in exchange for Mason Marchment. Malgin spent the last two campaigns playing overseas in the Swiss league and was highly productive, racking up 94 points in 93 contests. The Panthers drafted him in the fourth round in 2015.

Hunt was initially signed as an undrafted free agent by the Panthers in 2016.

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