Avs Trade Michael Sgarbossa for Mat Clark

Michael Sgarbossa was traded to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for defenseman Mat Clark.

Sgarbossa, 22, played appeared in the 9 games for the Avalanche over the course of the last 3 seasons and scored 1 whole assist in his time in the NHL. An undersized center with good vision and playmaking skills, Sgarbossa was a mainstay for the Lake Erie Monsters and one of the few bright spots on offense during his time with the organization.

Mat Clark, 24, is a rugged defenseman who was drafted in the second round of the 2009 NHL Draft and has appeared in 9 games for the Anaheim Ducks in his career, scoring 1 assist and racking up 6 PIMs. At 6'3", 225 pounds Clark is a large body for the Monsters to replace the recently-departed Karl Stollery with.

The Hockey's Future scouting report says the following about Clark:

Clark was touted as a diamond in the rough with the potential to be physical in his own end and effective offensively when he was drafted in 2009. To this point, his offensive game has not developed and with limited mobility he is looked at more as a traditional stay-at-home defender. A torn labrum cost him all but 23 games of the 2013-14 season. Once again healthy he appears to have his career back on track. With average technical skills his calling card is likely to be sound defensive play with a hard edge in the tight areas and in his own zone

and goes on to say his future is as an "NHL bottom pairing defenseman". Just what the Avs needed.

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