Jordan Staal (Michael Miller, Wikimedia Commons)
I know it is a big time for many prospects on the weekend of the NHL Entry Draft, but I am more interested in the wheeling and dealing that takes place among the clubs.
The Carolina Hurricanes and the Pittsburgh Penguins delivered the biggest blockbuster of the weekend. The Penguins, unable to come to terms with Jordan Staal long term, traded Staal to the Hurricanes for centre Brandon Sutter, their first round pick and a prospect.
Staal, considered by many to be one of the best natural centremen in the game today, will join his brother Eric in Carolina.
This past season Staal had 25 goals and 25 assists in 62 games, while Sutter had 17 goals and 15 assists in 82 games.
The Dallas Stars dumped salary by trading Mike Ribeiro to the Washington Capitals for forward Cody Eakin and a second round pick in 2012. Ribeiro had 18 goals and 45 assists this past season.
In another blockbuster, the Toronto Maple Leafs traded defenceman Luke Schenn to the Philadelphia Flyers for left winger James Van Riemsdyk. Schenn will also join his brother Brayden in Philadelphia. This past season, Van Riemsdyk had 11 goals and 13 assists, while Schenn had two goals and 20 assists.
Another two interesting points here. Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke continues his trend of acquiring Americans and Schenn and Van Riemsdyk were both drafted very high–Schenn fifth overall in 2008, and Van Riemsdyk 2nd overall in 2007.
In other significant moves, the Winnipeg Jets acquired goaltender Jonas Gustavsson from the Toronto Maple Leafs for a seventh round pick in 2013, the Columbus Blue Jackets acquired goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky from the Philadelphia Flyers for a second round pick and a fourth round pick, the Anaheim Ducks traded Lubomir Visnovsky to the New York Islanders and the Boston Bruins traded Benoit Pouliot to the Tampa Bay Lightning for Michel Ouellet.
Tags: anaheim ducks, benoit pouliot, boston bruins, brandon sutter, brayden schenn, brian burke, carolina hurricanes, cody eakin, columbus blue jackets, dallas stars, eric staal, james van riemsdyk, jonas gustavsson, jordan staal, lubomir visnovsky, luke schenn, michel ouellet, mike ribeiro, new york islanders, Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins, sergei bobrovsky, tampa bay lightning, toronto maple leafs, washington capitals, winnipeg jets
Loading ...
