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Trade: Canucks get Derek Roy from Dallas

Chicago Blackhawks v Dallas Stars

DALLAS, TX - JANUARY 24: Derek Roy #11 of the Dallas Stars celebrates a goal by Loui Eriksson #21 against the Chicago Blackhawks at American Airlines Center on January 24, 2013 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

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The Vancouver Canucks got their center today, acquiring Derek Roy from Dallas for a second-round pick and defenseman prospect Kevin Connauton.

The trade was first reported by Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos.

Roy, 29, is a pending unrestricted free agent ($4 million cap hit) that has four goals and 18 assists this season. His best season was with the Buffalo Sabres in 2007-08, when he had 32 goals and 49 assists.

The Canucks have been in search of a center, specifically one for the the third line, to replace Manny Malhotra (injured) and Cody Hodgson (traded to Buffalo last year).

For more on Roy, here’s our Trade Bait profile.

In Connauton, the Stars get an offensive defenseman that has 25 points in 60 games for AHL Chicago this season. The 23-year-old was a third-round pick of the Canucks in 2009, after which he scored 72 points in 69 games for the Vancouver Giants (WHL) in 2009-10. He still needs to improve the defensive aspects of his game, however.

After acquiring Roy, the Canucks sent Jordan Schroeder back to AHL Chicago. Vancouver’s next game is Thursday at home to the Oilers.

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