Tampa Bay Lightning's Eric Brewer (2) celebrates his first-period goal with Victor Hedman (77) during Game 2 of a first-round NHL hockey playoff series against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Pittsburgh Friday, April 15, 2011.Gene Puskar/The Associated Press
The Anaheim Ducks, strapped for healthy defencemen, acquired 16-year veteran Eric Brewer from the Tampa Bay Lightning on Friday in exchange for a third-round pick in the 2015 draft.
The 35-year-old Brewer was the fifth overall pick in the 1997 draft by the New York Islanders. He also played for Edmonton and St. Louis, where he was captain for three seasons. He was in the playoffs twice with the Oilers and twice with the Lightning.
Brewer's arrival can't come soon enough for the Ducks. Francois Beauchemin is sidelined for a minimum of four to six weeks because of a broken finger on his right hand, which occurred when he blocked a slap shot by T.J. Brodie during Tuesday night's 3-2 victory over Calgary. In addition, Clayton Stoner missed his third straight game on Friday because of the mumps.
Defenceman Jesse Blacker made his NHL debut during Friday's matinee against the Chicago Blackhawks after getting promoted from Norfolk of the AHL.