San Jose, CA (My Sportsbook) - The San Jose Sharks acquired defenseman Kyle McLaren in a three-team deal also involving the Montreal Canadiens and the Boston Bruins.

The Canadiens traded goaltender Jeff Hackett to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for forward Niklas Sundstrom and a third-round pick in the 2004 Draft. The Sharks then sent Hackett and defenseman Jeff Jillson to Boston in exchange for McLaren and a fourth-round pick in 2004.

McLaren, who has sat out every game this season due to a contract dispute, battled injuries last year and had just eight assists in 38 games with the Bruins. However, the 6-foot-4, 225-pounder is expected to bring a physical presence to the Sharks' blue line. San Jose already acquired physical defenseman Dan McGillis from Philadelphia earlier in the season.

"Kyle McLaren is a tough, physical defenseman who will help stabilize our blueline for years to come," said Sharks general manager Dean Lombardi.

The 34-year-old Hackett has played in 18 games with the Habs this season, posting a 7-8-2 record with a 2.54 goals-against-average and a .926 save percentage.

Hackett seemed to be creating a goaltender controversy in Montreal, as he consistently outplayed No. 1 netminder Jose Theodore. However, the Canadiens had little choice other than to stick with the 26-year-old Theodore, who was signed to a three-year, $16.5 million after winning both the Hart and Vezina trophies for the 2001-02 season.

"Jeff Hackett is a very good goaltender who is proven at the NHL level and we think he can make an impact on our team right away," said Bruins GM Mike O'Connell.

Sundstrom has two goals and 10 assists in 47 contests this season. In 596 career contests with the New York Rangers and the Sharks, Sundstrom has compiled 98 goals and 202 assists.

The 22-year-old Jillson has six assists in 26 games with San Jose this year.