[CONFIRMED] Sven Bartschi and Gaunce on the move

[secol]

Eklund is reporting that bartschi and gaunce are being traded together in a large multi-player deal. The return for the top 2 prospects in the devils organization and likely top 10 prospects in all of NHL is likely steep......

[ChuckieNZ]

It's been finalized. The new Pittsburgh GM had Bartschi in his sights since taking over, and finally reached a deal with NJ to secure him along with Gaunce.

Pending approval:

To Pitt: Sven Bartschi + Gaunce + Hejda + Jenks
To NJ: JVR + Faulk + Sullivan + Kubalik + Zlobin

NJ bolster for a deep playoff run and get a long term asset in JVR. The Pitt rebuild is almost complete, and with Crosby mentoring Sven and Yakupov they will be a force in a few years.

[jschick88]

Eklund? Hockey Insider had this rumor first!

[secol]

NJ GM press conference
.....we had to make room for Sven and we were unable to do it. We want to see him succeed and that was never going to happen with 3rd line minutes on this team. We believe he has a very bright future in the NHL and will emerge as a top sniper within the next few seasons.

We have been after JVR since he was in Anaheim, but we couldn't work something out. Chuckie has been after Sven for a while and while giving up on the potential of both Gaunce and Sven is painful, JVR will be a top 6 player for the rest of his career and is the type of player we love here in NJ. Think of the old bad boy Flyers, that is what we hope to instill here and I believe we have done a great job of that. Captain Ilya Kovalchuk has led the culture change (leads the team in hits) and this season's acquisitions Simmonds, Dubinsky and Okposo fits the bill perfectly.

Sullivan adds even more punch to our bottom 6 and Hejda was a healthy scratch for us. Although Faulk is injured we believe he will have a bright future in the NHL and with our depth we can let him take as long as he needs to get back to 100%.

[IgiTang]

Lol. You guys crack me up. Well done.