ESPN

In a move that helps both teams with regard to salaries, the New Jersey Devils acquired forward Trent Hunter from the New York Islanders Thursday for forward Brian Rolston.

According to the Bergen (N.J.) Record, Rolston waived his no-trade clause so the deal could be consummated.

"I've known for a little while that the Islanders wanted me and I know there was another team at the trade deadline as well," Rolston told the Record. "But this was just a matter of pulling the trigger. "It will be a fresh start for me with a good, young team that I think has the capability to be a playoff team."

According to the newspaper, the deal hinges upon Hunter passing a physical. He underwent surgery Feb. 8 to repair a torn MCL in his left knee.

Hunter, 31, spent nine seasons with the Islanders, compiling 99 goals and 229 points in 459 NHL games. Acquired from Anaheim on May 23, 2000, Hunter was a Ducks sixth-round draft choice in 1998. Due to a torn MCL, he played in just 17 games last season, scoring one goal.

Rolston, 38, was in his second stint with the Devils. He had 14 goals and 34 points last season as New Jersey missed the postseason for the first time since 1996.

"It was as much a business trade as any," Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello told the Newark (N.J.) Star-Ledger.

Islanders general manager Garth Snow told Newsday that he had been pursuing Rolston ever since summer 2008, when Rolston was a free agent.

"Same things I liked about him then, I like now," Snow told Newsday.

The deal brings the Islanders closer to the NHL's salary floor of $48.3 million next season. And it also gives the Devils a little more cap space to try and sign restricted free agent Zach Parise, who is scheduled to go to salary arbitration on Aug. 3.

Rolston is entering the final year of a deal that pays him $5.06 million. Hunter is scheduled to earn $2 million and is signed through 2012-13.

Parise signed a four-year with a $3.125 million annual cap hit prior to the start of the 2007-08 season. He made $5 million last season, and is expected to command a similar figure in arbitration.

Information from The Associated Press and ESPNNewYork.com's Mike Mazzeo was used in this report.