Red Wings Acquire Defenseman Stuart from Kings

The Detroit Red Wings moved to strengthen their blue line at the NHL trade deadline on Tuesday, picking up defenseman Brad Stuart from the Los Angeles Kings for second-round and fourth-round draft picks.

The 28-year-old defenseman had played in 63 games this season for the Kings, scoring five goals and adding 16 assists in his first campaign with Los Angeles.

A first-round selection of the San Jose Sharks in 1998, Stuart has played 570 career games over eight seasons with San Jose, Boston, Calgary and Los Angeles.

He was dealt to the Bruins in the deal that sent Joe Thornton, then traded to Calgary the following season before signing as a free agent with the Kings the in the summer of 2007.

He joins a Detroit defense currently depleted by injuries to Nicklas Lidstrom, Brian Rafalski, Niklas Kronwall and Chris Chelios.