Jackets Bolster Lineup
In two separate deals Saturday, GM Penney made some noise by pulling the trigger and bolstering his lineup for the 2012 season. First Penney called up his buddy Goffie in Pittsburgh and got a deal done for Big Byf. Byf returns to Columbus where he was shaped and molded after Penney acquired him after his stellar playoff run a few years back. Byf is the type of dman Penney has been trying to acquire ever since he traded him last season in an effort to tweak a struggling lineup.
In the second deal, Penney once again badgered GM Simmer and FINALLY managed to get Pekka Rinne. Penney has been harassing Simmer for months but persistence finally paid off, but it came at a price.
In all, this is how the deals played out complete with players coming and going:
Jackets Acquire:
Pekka Rinne
Dustin Byfuglien
Ray Emery
Michael Rupp
2013 2nd
2013 3rd
Jackets Say Goodbye:
Jon Quick
Alex Auld
Jeff Halpern
Mark Stuart
Ryan Strome
2 2012 1sts
2 2013 1sts
We've managed to do a couple things here today. We have brought in a terrific goalie and an upgrade with Rinne. We have also acquired a great young dman who will step up to be the top man in Columbus. We ultimatly brought in one of the very best goalies and a top dman. That's a good day as far as I am concerned. We did give up valuable assets but none of that will win hockey games anytime soon.
Thanks for the deals Goffie and SImmer.
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