Joe's Coming to Disneyland

[Shiver]

The Ducks are feeling pretty mighty after aquiring Joe Thornton in a nine player blockbuster deal with the Ottawa Senators. Also coming to the pond are Rastislav Olesz, Ladislav Smid and Kari Lehtonen in exchange for Anze Kopitar, Mike Cammalleri, Paul Martin, MA Fleury, prospect Alexandre Picard and 2 M in cap.

"You don't pull off a 9 player deal too often in your career and you don't get a shot at Joe Thornton too often either so we jumped at the opportunity to do both. This was a complex deal with which we are very happy with the outcome. " claimed Ducks GM Shiver.

Joe Thornton gives the Ducks what the were sorely lacking: Power, Points and Leadership. Ducks management met with Joe a few days prior to finalizing the deal to see if he'd waive his No Trade clause. Whatever they said must have made Joe a believer as the NT clause was waived and the deal completed shortly after.

Rostislav "Rusty" Olesz joins a young core group of forwards along side Stephan Weiss, Raffe Torres, Patrick Upshall and Marcel Goc. Already a good two-way winger, he also brings a nice playmaking touch to the Ducks. If he can stay healthy, he should be a good fit on this young team.

Ladislav Smid has the potential to be top 4 defenceman on this team down the road. He will be given every opportunity to make the starting roster come training camp.

Kari Lehtonen replaces MAF as the Ducks new starting goalie and the Ducks feel they lost nothing here. In fact, the future is where they feel the difference may sway in their favour providing Lehtonen can avoid injury.

The Ducks wish to thank Tim of the Sens for relatively easy negotiations considering the magnitude of the deal.

[Sample00]

wow, thats gonna take some time to digest!

[Radically Red]

Yes the Joe Thornton era in Ottawa is over. This team was a ways away from contending and Joe was not getting any younger.. Its always tough to move someone like Joe.

But we got some depth back in Kopitar and Cammelleri who should compliment the youth we already have. we got a Dmen who can play now in Martin to help our weak D core. We also felt we did not lose out changing Lehtonen for Fluery we just got younger.

Adding Cap and Picard a good young forward was also a plus.

Did we get better? tough to say we did get a very good player in Kopitar who was up there with Stastny and Malkin in terms of Scoring.. Cammellri had a big year in the NHL as well. Smid is a good player but Martin is better now.

Yes we did have other offers out for Lehtonen but felt this was the best overall deal we could find where we got a solid young goaltender back

[notoepik]

ICK to you both!

[Mango]

Wow. A lot of big names. Good on both GMs for pulling the deals off.

[Prototype]

Kelly has a man crush on Joe. Good deal on both sides tho.