Leafs Acquire Fabian Brunnstrom

The Maple Leafs have acquired right winger Fabian Brunnstrom from the Dallas Stars in exchange for prospect Mikhail Stefanovich.

The 25-year old Brunnstrom has 21 points (11 goals, 10 assists) and 16 penalty minutes in 37 games with the AHL’s Texas Stars. He is a former internet sensation who was pursued by over 25 NHL teams after tearing up the Swedish Elite League during the 2007-08 season.

Brunnstrom began his career with a bang by scoring a hat trick in his first NHL game. After posting a 29-point rookie campaign, he has bounced around between the Stars and their affiliate in Texas. In 99 career games, Brunnstrom has 19 goals and 40 points.

Heading to Dallas is 21-year old center Mikhail Stefanovich, who began the season with the Toronto Marlies, but was loaned to Minsk Dynamo of the KHL. He has only 1 goal in 15 games this season after going pointless in two games with the Marlies. The 6-foot-2 forward was once touted as a potential top six forward with finishing abilities, but his development has stalled in the Leafs organization.

At first glance, the trade appears to be fairly even for both teams in terms of player output this season and overall potential. Both players are capable of being serviceable NHL’ers, but some wonder if Stefanovich will ever return to North America, so this deal could end up paying long term dividends for Toronto.

Brunnstrom has one season left on his contract at $675,000 before becoming a restricted free agent next summer. Stefanovich has two more years remaining on his deal at $775,000 per year.