NHL's Steckel traded to Toronto Maple Leafs

David Steckel, who has bounced around the NHL ever since delivering a blindside hit to the head of Sidney Crosby in January, was dealt to the Toronto Maple Leafs for a draft pick. The Leafs will be Steckel's third team in nine months after Toronto acquired the 29-year-old forward from the New Jersey Devils for a fourth round draft pick in 2012. American Steckel had one goal and no assists in 18 games since being traded by the Washington Capitals to the Devils late last season. Crosby, who was Canada's gold medal overtime hero in the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, has not played since absorbing controversial hits in consecutive games four days apart. He was diagnosed with a concussion on January 6. Crosby was hit in the head by Steckel in the league's New Year's day Winter Classic outdoor game. Crosby did not have the puck when he was blindsided by Steckel, and complained to his teammates in the dressing room between periods about the contact, but said he did not see who hit him. Despite the severity of the head shot there was no penalty called on the play and the Penguins allowed Crosby to play the next game against Tampa Bay. In that contest, Crosby was rammed head-first into the boards by Tampa Bay's Victor Hedman. He has not played since. This year the NHL has brought in tough new rules and lengthy suspensions, targetting players who deliver shots to the head that injure others. Crosby led the NHL in scoring at the time of his injury. It is unclear if Crosby will play when the Penguins face Steckel's Leafs for the first time this season on October 29 in Toronto.