Sports

Maple Leafs pick up D Ryan O'Byrne from the Avalanche for a 4th-round pick in 2014

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Ryan O'Byrne, left, gets tangled up as he blocks a shot off the stick of Nashville Predators right wing Matt Halischuk in the second period of an NHL hockey game in Denver on Saturday, March 30, 2013. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) (The Associated Press)

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Ryan O'Byrne, right, picks up a loose puck along the boards as Nashville Predators right wing Martin Erat, of the Czech Republic, covers in the second period of an NHL hockey game in Denver, Saturday, March 30, 2013. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) (The Associated Press)

The Toronto Maple Leafs bolstered their defense by acquiring Ryan O'Byrne from the Colorado Avalanche for a fourth-round draft pick in 2014.

O'Byrne has a goal and three assists in 34 games this season for Colorado, which currently owns the worst mark in the NHL.

The 28-year-old O'Byrne joins a Maple Leafs squad that's in the thick of the Eastern Conference playoff chase. He could help add more defensive stability to a team that's surrendering an average of 2.67 goals a game.

Colorado originally acquired O'Byrne from Montreal on Nov. 11, 2010. He was taken by the Canadiens in the third round of the 2003 draft.