Ducks send defenseman James Wisniewski to the Islanders

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The Anaheim Ducks on Friday sent bruising defenseman James Wisniewski to the New York Islanders in exchange for a third-round draft selection.

The move came hours after the 26-year-old Wisniewski agreed to a one-year deal with the Ducks, thus avoiding an arbitration hearing that had been scheduled for Tuesday.

Wisniewski, acquired from the Chicago Blackhawks in the Samuel Pahlsson multiplayer trade in March 2009, appeared in 69 games for the Ducks last season and had three goals and 30 points.

In 254 career NHL games, the 5-11, 205-pound blueliner has scored 17 goals and 97 points. This past season he made headlines when he was suspended for eight games by the NHL for his horrific head hit on Chicago defenseman Brent Seabrook in a game in March.

-- Debbie Goffa