Hockey Trade Rumors

Needless to say, last season’s pleasant surprise, Team Vancouver of the National Hockey League, is, like its teenagers Twins Sedins, unable to eschew the infamous ‘sophomore jinx’. Thus, Canucks GM Mr. Burke, who was known largely for his favouritsm on players and his support to complete blockbuster deals, pulled the trigger recently, dealing constant criminal Brashear, one of the most intimidating enforcers of all time, and a sixth-round selection, in exchange for younger forward Jan Hlavac and a third-round draft pick. The Canucks planned to trade veteran for youth, impressed by Hlavac’s tremendous upside offensively, and who happened to be a major part of the summer deal that saw the New York Rangers, blessed with unlimited payrolls, as enexpected winners, relying on comeback athlete Number Eighty-eight’s brilliance while sacrificing promising youngsters Kim Johnsson, Hlavac, and Pavel Brendl.

According to Vancouver’s Management, it was Mr. Clarke (Philadelphia’s GM) who initiated the deal, ‘coming at Donald Brashear hard’. Already blessed with grit and size, the Flyers still believe skill is a minority still in the East, thus giving up on the offensive talents of the Czech native.

Apparently now, Bob might seem to have won the trade, yet, long term, it is advantagerous for the member of the Western Conference. Struggling to score this season and losing its top line frequently due to major injuries and suspensions to play-making pivot Andrew Cassels and power forward Todd Bertuzzi, the Canucks found in Jan a potential to be an elite forward, injecting some much-needed scoring punch. Yes, the organization has lost a highly-feared enforcer, but they already have obatined adequet grit to compete in the league, often finding themselves among the top of the category labelled hits. Dirty winger Jarko Ruutu, Matthew Cooke, beastial first-liner Bertuzzi, and former first-rounder Mike Brown all can nail and fight, thus perhaps making Number Eight, who has not been involved in an on-ice melee in weeks, expendable. Age also is a major factor in the trade, one of the better knowns thus far this campaign, as Mr. Burke’s squad obtains a 24-year-old for a 29-year-old, who’s glorious days might soon be over. Therefore, folks, look for Vancouver to emerge as victorious of the deal, not to mention what quality prospect they might able to pick with the third-rounder.