Post by uncleyaris on Feb 11, 2007 14:38:19 GMT -5
Oh Captain, My Captain
Anaheim News
Sunday, February 11th, 2007
Anaheim (CA) - Two big deals, three new captains, one really big name. Anaheim's new deals this weekend shake the roots of the franchise, sort of.
"There is always a method to my madness," Anaheim GM Frankie Nosic said today to a local Anaheim newspaper. "You guys just may not see it." This "madness" he refers to is the trading of young stud Ales Kotalik to the Detroit Red Wings in exchange for legendary vetaran, Sergei Fedorov.
Kotalik, shown here, has been Anaheim's second highest scorer this year with 21 goals and 28 assists in 64 games. Compare this with Fedorov's numbers (19 goals, 31 assists in 62 games), and you have to ask yourself, why trade a young player for an older player who is but a shadow of his former glory?
These guys might be the answer. Dan LaCosta and Johnathan Matsumoto. Both of these young prospects were included in the deal that shipped Fedorov to Anaheim. "We needed a deeper prospect pool. Nosic stated. "A lot of the prospects were traded to other teams, even before I had taken over the job. One of our main goals was to rebuild the team's future as opposed to getting good players now."
But for Fedorov? The entire league knows that he is way past his prime. "Why Fedorov? He bring something to this team which has been lacking since day one, leadership. Not that any of the former captains (Andy McDonald, Ryan Getzlaf, or Martin St.Louis) have been bad leaders, but at this time we need someone to really step up and lead our team. Hopefully into the playoffs."
Anaheim's new captains were also announced today, with Sergei Fedorov's namination as captain, no big surprise. "Anaheim is proud to announce Sergei Fedorov as it's captain. Sergei has been a dominating force in the hockey world since day one, and even in his latter days and older age, can still play like the best of them. His skill, combined with his veterancy, make a combination that will serve the team's needs very well. Anaheim's alternate captains will be Andy McDonald and Niklas Kronwall. McDonald has playing as captain for GM Nosic's entire reign. Although it's difficult to demote him like this, it serves the best interest of the team, and Andy undersatands this. Niklas Kronwall has stepped up his game as of late to really help Anaheim turn around thier season. Although young, he posses tremendous skill and will prove to be a very valuable asset in the years to come."
Andy McDonald was later asked about his feelings on the annoncment, and he told Anaheim media that "It's tough, but it needs to be done. Sergei is a long time vetaren and that is the main reason we brought him over. I'm proud that a player like that will lead this team."
Overshadowed by this deal is perhaps another large deal at Anaheim's end. GM Nosic traded long-time keeper Ray Emery to the New York Islanders for netminder Rick DiPietro.
"(Emery) was playing well but his recent behavior in the league, combined with his preformance issue led us to trade him away. I felt that a change in scenery would probably be the best thing for him" The "behavior issues" mentioned are various issues of Emery getting confrontational with several player from the other teams that Anaheim has played against the several past weeks. Emery, who has not finished any of his last 5 starts, was benched by coach Gordan Bombay, and replaced with Patrick Lalime. Bombay said "His preformance is what we were worried about. Now that we have Rick (DiPietro), hopefully, our goaltending will no longer be a major issue."
DiPietro and Emery's number are almost identicaly this season, and both were benched by their respective clubs. The only major difference, are thier salaries. "We are hoping to get a platoon system implemented, because both of our goalies are obviously very talented. All that remains to be seen is which one wants the job more. I highly doubt, however, that either will roll over." coach Bombay commented on the new system.
"I'm exited." Bombay said. "Hopefully, this will be the push we need to make the postseason."
Anaheim News
Sunday, February 11th, 2007
Anaheim (CA) - Two big deals, three new captains, one really big name. Anaheim's new deals this weekend shake the roots of the franchise, sort of.
"There is always a method to my madness," Anaheim GM Frankie Nosic said today to a local Anaheim newspaper. "You guys just may not see it." This "madness" he refers to is the trading of young stud Ales Kotalik to the Detroit Red Wings in exchange for legendary vetaran, Sergei Fedorov.
Kotalik, shown here, has been Anaheim's second highest scorer this year with 21 goals and 28 assists in 64 games. Compare this with Fedorov's numbers (19 goals, 31 assists in 62 games), and you have to ask yourself, why trade a young player for an older player who is but a shadow of his former glory? These guys might be the answer. Dan LaCosta and Johnathan Matsumoto. Both of these young prospects were included in the deal that shipped Fedorov to Anaheim. "We needed a deeper prospect pool. Nosic stated. "A lot of the prospects were traded to other teams, even before I had taken over the job. One of our main goals was to rebuild the team's future as opposed to getting good players now."
But for Fedorov? The entire league knows that he is way past his prime. "Why Fedorov? He bring something to this team which has been lacking since day one, leadership. Not that any of the former captains (Andy McDonald, Ryan Getzlaf, or Martin St.Louis) have been bad leaders, but at this time we need someone to really step up and lead our team. Hopefully into the playoffs."
Anaheim's new captains were also announced today, with Sergei Fedorov's namination as captain, no big surprise. "Anaheim is proud to announce Sergei Fedorov as it's captain. Sergei has been a dominating force in the hockey world since day one, and even in his latter days and older age, can still play like the best of them. His skill, combined with his veterancy, make a combination that will serve the team's needs very well. Anaheim's alternate captains will be Andy McDonald and Niklas Kronwall. McDonald has playing as captain for GM Nosic's entire reign. Although it's difficult to demote him like this, it serves the best interest of the team, and Andy undersatands this. Niklas Kronwall has stepped up his game as of late to really help Anaheim turn around thier season. Although young, he posses tremendous skill and will prove to be a very valuable asset in the years to come."
Andy McDonald was later asked about his feelings on the annoncment, and he told Anaheim media that "It's tough, but it needs to be done. Sergei is a long time vetaren and that is the main reason we brought him over. I'm proud that a player like that will lead this team."
Overshadowed by this deal is perhaps another large deal at Anaheim's end. GM Nosic traded long-time keeper Ray Emery to the New York Islanders for netminder Rick DiPietro.
"(Emery) was playing well but his recent behavior in the league, combined with his preformance issue led us to trade him away. I felt that a change in scenery would probably be the best thing for him" The "behavior issues" mentioned are various issues of Emery getting confrontational with several player from the other teams that Anaheim has played against the several past weeks. Emery, who has not finished any of his last 5 starts, was benched by coach Gordan Bombay, and replaced with Patrick Lalime. Bombay said "His preformance is what we were worried about. Now that we have Rick (DiPietro), hopefully, our goaltending will no longer be a major issue."
DiPietro and Emery's number are almost identicaly this season, and both were benched by their respective clubs. The only major difference, are thier salaries. "We are hoping to get a platoon system implemented, because both of our goalies are obviously very talented. All that remains to be seen is which one wants the job more. I highly doubt, however, that either will roll over." coach Bombay commented on the new system.
"I'm exited." Bombay said. "Hopefully, this will be the push we need to make the postseason."
