Wings Deal Kuznetsov, Avery for D-man Schneider

The Detroit Red Wings acquired defenseman Mathieu Schneider from the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday, just hours before the NHL’s trade deadline.

Schneider, who scored a goal Monday night in the Kings’ loss to Detroit, came at the cost of young defenseman Maxim Kuznetsov, agitator Sean Avery, a first-round draft pick in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft and a second-round pick in 2004.

Kuznetsov has spent much of the season in and out of the Red Wings lineup, fighting for playing time with Jesse Wallin and Patrick Boileau. His only scoring of the season came in the form of three assists. He also has fifty-four penalty minutes in fifty-three games.

Avery had been playing with the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins after being sent down to make roster room for Steve Yzerman.

Schneider has fourteen goals and forty-three points in sixty-five games this season.