via mapleleafs.com
David Nonis, Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, announced Sunday that the hockey club has acquired Nashville’s first round draft pick in 2015 along with forwards Brendan Leipsic and Olli Jokinen in exchange for defenceman Cody Franson and forward Mike Santorelli.
Leipsic, 20, was originally drafted by the Predators in the third round (89th overall) during the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. A native of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Leipsic has appeared in 47 games with the Milwaukee Admirals (AHL) this season, collecting 35 points (seven goals, 28 assists) and 16 penalty minutes. Leipsic played four seasons (2010-11-2013-14) with the Portland Winterhawks (WHL) where he registered 302 points (132 goals, 170 assists) in 261 games. During the 2012-13 season Leipsic’s 120 points (49 goals, 71 assists) led the entire Canadian Hockey League in scoring. Leipsic will report to the American Hockey League’s Toronto Marlies.
Jokinen, 36, has skated in 48 regular season games with Nashville this season, collecting six points (three goals, three assists) and 26 penalty minutes. The Kuopio, Finland native has played in 1,217 career NHL regular season games, registering 746 points (320 goals, 426 assists) and 1,069 penalty minutes. Jokinen was originally drafted in the first round (3rd overall) by the Los Angeles Kings in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft.