AHL, NHL trades for Rampage, Barons

The Florida Panthers, parent club of the AHL’s San Antonio Rampage, have acquired center Ryan Martindale from the Edmonton Oilers, parent club of the AHL’s Oklahoma City Barons, in exchange for center Steve Pinizzotto.

In addition, the Rampage have acquired forward Derek Nesbitt from the Barons in exchange for forward Jack Combs.

Martindale, 22, has played in 22 games for Oklahoma City this season, posting 10 points (three goals, seven assists) and eight penalty mintues. The Oshawa, Ont., native has played in 79 games over three professional seasons in the AHL, all with Oklahoma City, recording 26 points (9g, 17a) and 22 PIM. He has also played in 39 games with Stockton of the ECHL, posting 17 points (8g, 9a) over that span.

The 6-foot-3, 207-pound center was drafted in the third round (61st overall) of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft by the Oilers.

Pinizzotto, 28, tallied six goals and one assist along with 67 PIM in 21 games for San Antonio this season. A two-time Calder Cup champion with Hershey in 2009 and 2010, Pinizzotto has appeared in 255 career AHL games with Hershey, Chicago and San Antonio, totaling 44 goals and 73 assists for 117 points.

Pinizzotto, a native of Mississauga, Ont., made his NHL debut with Vancouver last season, skating in 12 regular-season games and one Stanley Cup Playoff contest.

Nesbitt, 31, is in his ninth professional season and ranked fourth on the Barons in scoring this year with 10 goals and 19 points through 38 games. The Edgmondville, Ont., native rejoins the Rampage where he collected six goals and 15 points in 49 games during the 2008-09 campaign.

Nesbitt has totaled 102 goals and 120 assists for 222 points in 358 career AHL games with Rockford, San Antonio, Manitoba, Peoria, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and Oklahoma City.

Combs, 25, had two assists in 19 games with the Rampage and nine goals and 13 points in eight games with Cincinnati (ECHL) this season.

In 115 career AHL games with Peoria, Chicago, Worcester, Bridgeport and San Antonio, Combs has registered 33 goals and 33 assists for 66 points.