Skoula moved to New Jersey - 03-03-10

Former Penguins defenseman Martin Skoula's (right) time as a Maple Leaf lasted less than 12 hours. According to Bob McKenze of TSN, he was dealt to the Devils.

Skoula was part of last night's deal which brought Alexei Ponikarovsky to the Penguins. The only reason the Maple Leafs picked up Skoula was because the Penguins needed to clear salary cap space to bring on Ponikarovsky's contract.

Skoula, 30, has eight points (three goals, five assists) and is a minus-4 in 33 games this season. He joined the Penguins as a free agent signing late in the preseason.

The Maple Leafs got a fifth-round pick in this summer's draft.

EN Says: Skoula previously played for Devils coach Jacques Lemaire for several seasons in Minnesota. He's very familiar with Lemaire's defensive system. Provided Skoula isn't expected to be much more than a No. 6 defenseman, this is a shrewd depth move for the Devils. In three full seasons under Lemaire, Skoula never played in fewer than 80 games.

(Photo: Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)