BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) - The Buffalo Sabres have acquired forward Steve Ott and defenseman Adam Pardy from the Dallas Stars in exchange for center Derek Roy.
Sabres general manager Darcy Regier announced the trade Monday.
Roy is entering the final year of his contract after underperforming last season for Buffalo. Following season-ending surgery to repair a torn quadriceps tendon in 2010-2011, Roy had 17 goals and 27 assists in 80 games last season. He scored at least 25 goals from 2007-2010 before he was hurt. Roy has 161 goals and 266 assists in eight NHL seasons, all with Buffalo.
Ott had 11 goals and 28 assists in 74 games with the Stars last season. The 25th overall pick in the 2000 entry draft, Ott has 85 goals and 135 assists in 566 career games and the Sabres are hoping he can address criticism that Buffalo lacks toughness.
``I think more than anything else, we needed to move the balance of skill versus the physical nature of our game, and become a tougher team to play against,'' Regier said. ``Steve can play and complement the higher skilled guys and contribute in a lot of different ways. I think that he will be very valuable for us.''
Ott was fourth in the NHL last season with 278 hits.
``It's something I pride myself in, being at the top of leading the league in hits every single year playing a physical, hard, complete style of game,'' Ott said. ``That's what I want to bring, I'm not changing my style. That's something I want to do, I want to be as consistent as possible, playing a mix of hard hockey with some skill set along with it.''
Pardy spent his first three seasons with Calgary before joining the Stars in 2011-12, recording four goals, 25 assists and 157 penalty minutes in 183 NHL games.
Neither team made the playoffs last season.
``Derek Roy is a legitimate top two-line center, and has been productive throughout his career,'' Dallas general manager Joe Nieuwendyk said. ``He is a proven commodity that helps fill a void at a position of need for our club. We believe Derek helps make our hockey club better, and we are happy to have him.''
