[Trade] Zajac traded to Chicago for Callahan, Couturier +
(Rumour post in the spoiler box...actual trade announcement came a day later)
Spoiler!
Quote:
NHL sources tell TSN that the Los Angeles Kings are looking for a young winger to play on their top line with star Captain Paul Statsny and Bobby Ryan. There is nothing concrete out there about what the Kings would give up in return, but keep in mind that this team is now 2-6, and has lost several games in a row, and General Manager Stealth22 is under pressure from fans and ownership to make changes. And if the Los Angeles Kings are indeed looking for a first line winger, the guy currently in that spot with Statsny and Ryan is Travis Zajac.
Travis Zajac has a total of 5 points in 8 games this season, between the Ottawa Senators and the L.A. Kings. He's very fast, and has an immense amount of skill. But he's not working out in L.A. like the Kings hoped he would, and that's because they've got too many centers. The LA Kings have a problem that other teams dream of having: they have potentially up to three number-one centers in their line up. Now this is all just rumours and speculation, but if the L.A. Kings are looking to make a deal, just take a look at their line up. With young centermen Patrik Berglund and Luke Adam lined up for takeoff behind Captain Paul Statsny ready to lead the Kings into the future, you can be assured that the next guy with a plane ticket out of LAX will be Travis Zajac.
Jay Onrait: "Breaking news on SportsCentre here on TSN. We have a trade to announce---"
Dan O'Toole: "Uh, its two trades."
Onrait: "TWO TRADES...involving..THE LOS ANGELES KINGS! Take it away, James Duthie!"
Thank you guys, James Duthie alongside our panel of Craig Button, Marc Crawford, and Bob McKenzie. Yes indeed, the Los Angeles Kings have made two trades. Our Hockey Insider Darren Dreger unfortunately could not be in studio, as he is running down the details. But from the information we have, it appears that Kings LW Devante Smith-Pelly has been dealt to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for Jeff Petry, and the second deal is where it gets more interesting.
The Kings have traded centreman Travis Zajac -- you knew that one was coming -- along with Jason Garrison and young centre Luke Adam to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for Ryan Callahan, Sean Couturier, and defensive prospect Ty Wishart.
Guys, thoughts? Who won this deal? Craig, let's start with you.
James, this is a TERRIBLE trade for the Los Angeles Kings. I think they could have gotten better for Travis Zajac, and I don't like the fact that they had to give up both Luke Adam AND Jay Garrison to get Sean Couturier. Luke Adam is almost as good; this is a step back for them, I think.
I think without question the LA Kings win this one. They get a winger to play with Statsny and Ryan, and get a major upgrade on Luke Adam in Sean Couturier. They had to give up Garrison, but the acquisition of Petry takes care of that, in my mind.
I think this is a great deal for both sides. Marc, like you said, the Los Angeles Kings NEEDED a legitimate first line winger that can play with Paul Statsny and Bobby Ryan. This team has been on a huge slide, and they needed to stop it. Adding in the grit that Callahan provides will help do that for them, and the skill of Sean Couturier just makes it even better. And for the Chicago Blackhawks, they get a skilled center in Travis Zajac who can play on your first OR second line, they get a top-4 defenceman in Garrison, and, they won't miss Sean Couturier that much with Luke Adam coming in. This is one of those trades that looks great for both teams involved.
And, I hear that the Anaheim Ducks were really high on Devante Smith-Pelly, he wasn't getting the minutes in L.A. to be effective, and I think the Kings got a real good asset for him.
Last edited by Stealth22; 09-25-2012 at 11:19 PM.
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Stealth22 For This Useful Post:
Comment from Anaheim " We are sad to see Jeff Petry go but feel we were dealing from a position of strength to acquire a young forward with potential! We also have struggled early in the year and wanted to get the Oiler Stink off of our team! Devante will be a welcome addition to our left wing"
[Trade] Zajac traded to Chicago for Callahan, Couturier +
