liamenator
12-20-2004, 12:58 AM
The Penguins President, GM and Head Coach liamenator announced a transaction Sunday that sees Johan Hedberg headed to Steeltown in exchange for Manny Legace and a 3rd round draft choice.
The move upgrades the Pens goaltending slightly - a position targeted by the new man in charge as the area most in need of improvement - while also further trimming the Pens payroll as they continue to rebuild.
liamenator commented, "Johan is a quality individual who has experience playing as a number one goaltender in this league. He has also played behind youth before and will help with the development of our younger players, especially Michael Tellqvist. It was quite evident to us that Manny was not able to elevate his game to the level this team needs, so we felt it was time to make a change. We wish him the best in New York, and I am sure he will benefit from a role with less pressure in backing up Theodore."
Hedberg is not quite the proven #1 the Pens have been searching for since dealing Dominik Hasek away under the previous regime, so many fans may be underwhelmed with the move. To this, liamenator commented, "This team is not in a position for a quick fix. We just don't have the assets required for blockbuster deals. We have to look outside the marquee names and improve with baby steps at the present time. Every day we're trying to improve but nothing comes easily."
Stats this season:
Hedberg: 5-3-0 2.79GAA 0.886Sv% 0SO
Legace: 7-17-2 3.98GAA 0.869Sv% 1SO
Taylor handed the 'C': liamenator also announced Sunday the Penguins have named journeyman centre Tim Taylor their new team captain. The 'C' had previously been rotated monthy and liamenator said, "Tim is a great leader both on and off the ice, serving as a great example for our young players." The two 'A's will be worn by newly aquired Mike Ricci and Chris Phillips... Ricci suffered a slight knock Sunday vs. the Hurricanes and is listed as day-to-day... Jed Ortmeyer also was injured in the game and he to is out day-to-day... Patrick O'Sullivan has been called back up from Wilkes-Barrie Scranton and will likely get back into action this week.
The move upgrades the Pens goaltending slightly - a position targeted by the new man in charge as the area most in need of improvement - while also further trimming the Pens payroll as they continue to rebuild.
liamenator commented, "Johan is a quality individual who has experience playing as a number one goaltender in this league. He has also played behind youth before and will help with the development of our younger players, especially Michael Tellqvist. It was quite evident to us that Manny was not able to elevate his game to the level this team needs, so we felt it was time to make a change. We wish him the best in New York, and I am sure he will benefit from a role with less pressure in backing up Theodore."
Hedberg is not quite the proven #1 the Pens have been searching for since dealing Dominik Hasek away under the previous regime, so many fans may be underwhelmed with the move. To this, liamenator commented, "This team is not in a position for a quick fix. We just don't have the assets required for blockbuster deals. We have to look outside the marquee names and improve with baby steps at the present time. Every day we're trying to improve but nothing comes easily."
Stats this season:
Hedberg: 5-3-0 2.79GAA 0.886Sv% 0SO
Legace: 7-17-2 3.98GAA 0.869Sv% 1SO
Taylor handed the 'C': liamenator also announced Sunday the Penguins have named journeyman centre Tim Taylor their new team captain. The 'C' had previously been rotated monthy and liamenator said, "Tim is a great leader both on and off the ice, serving as a great example for our young players." The two 'A's will be worn by newly aquired Mike Ricci and Chris Phillips... Ricci suffered a slight knock Sunday vs. the Hurricanes and is listed as day-to-day... Jed Ortmeyer also was injured in the game and he to is out day-to-day... Patrick O'Sullivan has been called back up from Wilkes-Barrie Scranton and will likely get back into action this week.