Nashville Predators acquire Franson, Santorelli from Toronto Maple Leafs

The NHL-leading Nashville Predators added depth to their roster by conducting a trade with the Toronto Maple Leafs on Sunday.

The Predators acquired a pair of former draft picks, defenseman Cody Franson and center Mike Santorelli, and sent veteran forward Olli Jokinen, prospect Brendan Leipsic and their first-round pick in 2015 to the struggling Leafs.

"In preparation for the 2015 playoff run, our goal was to add a veteran defenseman who could play in all situations and a proven forward who could move up and down lineup based on the situation," Predators general manager David Poile said.

Franson, 27, has six goals and 26 assists in 55 games this season, while the 29-year-old Santorelli has 11 goals and 29 points in 57 games.

"Both Cody and Mike were drafted, developed and began their NHL careers here," Poile added. "They know our organization and still have former teammates and friends on the roster. We are fully confident that they will seamlessly fit into our team."

Franson was selected by the Predators in the third round of the 2005 draft, and Santorelli was taken a year earlier in the sixth round. Both played for Nashville during the 2009-10 season.

Jokinen, 36, struggled to produce with the Predators, posting only three goals and three assists in 48 games.

Leipsic, a 20-year-old forward, was a third-round pick by the Predators in 2012.

[SportsNetwork.com]