[Rumor] P. Bergeron finally traded?

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After months of speculation it appears that Patrice Bergeron of the New Jersey Devils might finally be on the move. After complaining publicly about his lack of ice time and his role as the second line center, everybody knew Bergeron was on the trade block.

The number one center has had a disappointing season thus far due to limited ice time and looks prime to break out wherever he goes. When asked if Bergeron has been traded, Devils GM replied with a simple "no comment" along with the standard spiel with regards to team policy on disclosure of transactions which are yet to be approved. For more on this story, get your McDouble Burger for only $1.79 at McDs.

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sounds like patric bergeron is heading to the western conference, devils DO NOT want to face their current +/- leader.......#njdevils #pbergeron37 #releasethebeast

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Citing anonymous league sources, In Lou we Trust is blogging that Patrice Bergeron is being packaged with AHL Left Wing Prospect Jeremy Morin. The speedy sniper was drafted in the second round of the 2009 entry draft and is playing in his third season in the AHL. At the beginning of the season Morin was ranked as the top 3 prospects in the Devils system. However, with the recent acquisitions of prospects such as Brenden Gaunce. Morin appears to have fallen on the pecking order and made expendable. With such high value headed out the door, the question that remains is who are the Devils getting back?

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was just passing by the equipment room at the prudential center and saw baertschi jersey being made!!! perhaps bergeron was moved in a deal for sven? #2BCProductions #bart-cheesy

[IgiTang]

Nashville Predators GM has confirmed that C Travis Zajac and LW Sven Bartschi have been traded to theNew Jersey Devil in exchange for C Patrice Bergeron and LW Jeremy Morin.

After confirmation, Preds GM had this to say "We have been looking at 2 Centres all season and have been actively pursuing both. When one of our targets got moved earlier this season, I started focusing on Patrice. Earlier this season when it appeared we had no shot at either Bergeron or our other target for a number one centre, we took a run at Travis Zajac. We were very pleased to acquire Travis but as he began to become tied for our team worst -1, we decided he was not the answer.
When the Devils GM approached me about Bartschi, i thought it was do or die on a deal for Patrice.
Im very happy with the result."

The Preds also keep the cupboard relatively full with bringing on Morin. "hes flashy kid with size and speed. Hes got a decent shot too. Hes a righty playing on th left side so we have some options there with developing Jeremy. Also, getting a chance to play with Nail wont hurt".

[Stealth22]

You just got Sven, didn't you?

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he did, but if you look at his team he has no #1 center which bergeron fills nicely

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GM StampTheseFlames after the news of the trade broke....

"We are thankful for the contributions Patrice has made to our team and the New Jersey community. He was one of our core players, but the opportunity to get a potential superstar in Sven Baertschi and getting Zajac back made him expendable, and getting Sven allowed us to move the talented Morin. We're looking to take a gamble on young players and hope they pan out while remaining competitive this year. It is very difficult to do but I feel like we have done a good job so far and we will continue to try to acquire 4+ star players who are either prospects or young players who are still in their prime or younger. Even though Patrive's tenure here might have ended on a sour note, we wish him nothing but the best in Nashville."

[IgiTang]

Originally Posted by Stealth22

You just got Sven, didn't you?

Yep, sure did.

And now hes gone to another team as a key piece for a player who i have been pursuing since the start of the league.

is there an issue in acquiring assets and moving them for pieces that suit my needs?

Sven and Nail developing together would be nice, sure. But having both play enough minutes to get them where i need them to be next season is risky in terms of on ice liability.

Now, I can take my time with Morin. Insert him into the lineup when im comfortable, and walk away with a bonafide #1C which ive been looking for all season. I also move a player i was hopeful for but has thus far disapointed.

Im not gonna make moves and become married to any said player. The second i moved Jarome Iginla, I decided anything goes in terms of being competitive.

[IgiTang]

Oh, and dont forget, I have Anisimov 24, Eller 23 and Omark 25 on top of Yaks @ 19. Plenty of youth. Losing Sven is not that big of a deal in terms of future.

And Bergeron is only 27.

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don't forget you have bergeron locked up to a very reasonable contract for an extra year while zajac is upcoming UFA who'll probably demand more than bergeron's 5 mill

[IgiTang]

Originally Posted by secol

don't forget you have bergeron locked up to a very reasonable contract for an extra year while zajac is upcoming UFA who'll probably demand more than bergeron's 5 mill

You noticed that did ya? Thats why i didnt push for the 1st rounder.

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hehe yeah...it's my job to know . i figure if it looks like i won't make playoffs i'll move zajac to a contender, if i do make it zajac is my second line C anyways.....win-win for both teams since bergeron was stuck as a second line C

[IgiTang]

He will be getting top line minutes for me and that will allow me use Vermette a little less.

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Sleeping with the Devils- Halloween Special

Amidst swirling trade rumors with the approaching trade deadline, recently acquired LW Sven Bartschi notched his first goal for the Devils and finished the game with 2 goals playing on the third line. Bartschi has seen limited minutes but still notched his first point with Devils earlier this week before his two goal outburst tonight on Halloween. The captain of the Devils, Ilya Kovalchuk, continued his hot play netting two more goals on Halloween at home in a 5-1 victory over the Winnipeg Jets. Kovalchuk has been on a torrid run of late and coincidentally so have the Devils climbing to the upper echelon of the Eastern Conference.