[Sylvanfan]

The Jackets have made yet another deal in which veterans are being sent elsewhere for younger pieces. This time it see's Cory Sarich heading to Anaheim with 1 million in cap considerations in exchange for Ladislav Smid and a token 4th round pick.

Sarich who is a 28 years old stay at home defender who possesses good size, and has been one of the NHL's most durable players over the last 4 seasons. The Jackets acquired Sarich from the Florida Panthers at last years trade deadline for Taylor Chorney and a 2nd round pick. However his offensive game is very limited and it was our determination that a 76 OV stay at home defender was probably his maximum upside. He was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent at years end and with his rating was scheduled to make 4.5 million on his next contract, and possibly more should his rating go up (which due to added exposure was very possible this coming year).

Smid is a 21 year old defenceman who played 77 games with the NHL Oilers last year and looks to be in Edmonton's top 4 this season. Smid himself does possess pretty good size and shows potential as a puck mover who could play a good defensive game. Smid is signed for the next three years for 1.6 million per year.

"It's a move to bring in a younger less expensive player who we feel given a couple of years could get to the level that Sarich is at. With our recent moves we have gotten quite a bit younger and given ourselves a lot of payroll flexibility to help us bolster our squad when an oppurtunity comes along. We wish Sarich the best in Anaheim (afterall GM Syl tends to do current Flames a favor when he trades them as they always suck on my team in the SIM and in the NHL), as well as all our other departed players. We thank all teams whom we made deals with this weekend for the trade talks."