RALEIGH, N.C. – Scott Pellerin, Minnesota’s leading scorer, was traded Thursday to Carolina for a third-round pick in the 2001 entry draft, rights to Russian prospect Askhat Rakhmatullin and future considerations.

Pellerin, an eight-year NHL veteran, has scored 39 points on 11 goals and 28 assists in 58 games this season.

He will be an unrestricted free agent after this season.

“Scott gives us more depth at the forward position,” Hurricanes general manager Jim Rutherford said. “He’s a team player who can play many roles on our team.”

Pellerin played four seasons for the St. Louis Blues before Minnesota selected him in last year’s expansion draft. He also spent parts of his first three season with the New Jersey Devils, who selected him in the third round of 1989 draft.