The Buffalo Sabres have traded Thomas Vanek in exchange for New York Islanders forward Matt Moulson, a first round draft pick in 2014 and a 2015 second round pick.
Vanek, 29, is set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2013-14 season. In 13 games this season, he has scored four goals and added five assists.
The Austrian is in the final year of a seven-year deal he signed with the Sabres prior to 2007-08 worth an average annual value of $7.142 million.
“We had opportunity to acquire an elite player and given where we are right now (.500), you go for it,” Islanders general manager Garth Snow told TSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie.
