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Ducks acquire defenseman Kevin Bieksa in trade with Canucks

The Anaheim Ducks traded a second-round pick in next year's draft to the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for defenseman Kevin Bieksa, the Ducks announced Tuesday. 
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The Anaheim Ducks traded a second-round pick in next year's draft to the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for defenseman Kevin Bieksa, the Ducks announced Tuesday

Bieksa, 34, has one year left on his current contract and will earn $2.5 million next season. The Canucks had reportedly tried to trade him to the San Jose Sharks during last weekend's draft but the Sharks were unwilling to part with a second-round pick, ESPN's Pierre LeBrun reported

Bieksa was drafted by the Canucks in 2001 and had spent his entire 10-year NHL career in Vancouver. He had a no-trade clause in his contract, which he agreed to waive. 

Sharks acquire goalie Martin Jones from Bruins

In Anaheim, Bieksa will be reunited with his former Vancouver teammate Ryan Kesler.

The trade helps provide insurance in the event that Ducks defenseman Francois Beauchemin, who led all Anaheim skaters in average ice time last season, leaves in free agency. The Ducks began pursuing Bieksa after “talks broke down with Beauchemin” earlier Tuesday, LeBrun reports.

- Dan Gartland