[Trade] SportsCentre - Hell freezes over in Hollywood
This got longer than I planned, haha. I don't like doing TSN-style articles all the time, but it's a big move, so I had to do it justice.
Spoiler!
Dan O'Toole: Welcome back to SportsCentre here on TSN. We just showed you highlights of the L.A. Kings' 4-3 win last night over the Colorado Avalanche, including Paul Statsny setting up T.J. Galiardi for the overtime winner, snapping a three game losing streak.
Paul Statsny has struggled this season, with only 9 points in 26 games. In fact, as we saw, the Kings had 2-0 and 3-1 leads, only to have them disappear courtesy of two goals by the Avs' Zach Parise. Statsny, after the game, wasn't pleased with how his team won, but said they'll take it.
Statsny Interview Clip: It wasn't the prettiest win by any stretch. I'm sure Anderson would like to have a couple of those goals back. But they battled hard, came back to tie it. Neuvy was awesome, he made some great saves to keep us in it, and T.J. (Galiardi) had the hot stick tonight. Not the way we wanted to close it out, but we'll take the win, and move on.
Dan: Now, Statsny, despite being held to the lone point last night and not---
Jay Onrait: *Blows a whistle, signalling time-out with his hands*
Darren Dutchyshen: Thanks, Jay, and Dan, sorry to jump in here unannounced. No one really saw this coming, or at the very least, not this soon. Paul Statsny is the Captain of the Los Angeles Kings, and has said all along that he wants to remain in Hollywood. The Kings have been saying that Statsny is their number 1 centre, and that he is not moving. But that all changed today. Paul Statsny, the star center..the CAPTAIN of the L.A. Kings, has been traded.
Joining me now is TSN's Hockey Insider Darren Dreger. Darren, what's just happened here?
Darren Dreger: Well Darren, the Los Angeles Kings announced this morning, that their Captain, Paul Statsny, and Ryan Callahan, have both been traded to the Ottawa Senators in exchange for centre Joe Pavelski, Viktor Stalberg, first round draftee Cody Ceci, and Ottawa's 2nd round selection in this summer's Entry Draft.
Statsny has been the leader of this team from the start of this season, and lately was playing on a line with Callahan and star winger Bobby Ryan. But the trio were not putting up the points that the Kings were looking for, particularly Statsny, with only 9 points in the first 26 games. In exchange, the Kings get a strong center in the form of Joe Pavelski. Pavelski has been described on several occasions as a Swiss army knife. He is a natural center and is very good at faceoffs, but can easily be moved to the right wing if needed. Viktor Stalberg will add some much needed speed to that top line, Cody Ceci is a valuable addition to the Kings' blue line in the future, and they also gain a valuable asset in that 2nd round draft pick for this summer. Personally, I like this move for the Kings. Pavelski is a little older than Statsny, but is a lot more versatile, and Stalberg will fit in on that top line better than Callahan did. They make a bit of a lateral move with these two forwards, and add two valuable assets for the future.
Paul Statsny declined an on-camera interview with TSN, but I spoke with him over the phone, and he stated that while his wish was to remain in Los Angeles, he understands why they had to make the move. He met with Kings GM Stealth22, and told him that he wanted to stay, but that above all else, he wanted the Kings' brass to do what was best for the team, and if that meant trading Paul Statsny, that he would stand behind them. He ended with, and I quote, "My time with the Kings organization has been nothing short of amazing. We didn't get the start we wanted, but hopefully this will turn it around for them. I know Joe Pavelski personally, and he will provide a much-needed boost to that offense, and I know he'll play well with Bobby Ryan. I'm excited to join the Ottawa Senators, and I wish the Kings the best of luck in the future."
One more thing to note; this morning, the Kings were asked who would be the Captain of the team moving forward. Bobby Ryan and Keith Yandle were both alternates up until today, and it was revealed that Yandle would be getting the C for the remainder of this season, and that his A would be going to either Ryan Suter or Joe Pavelski. With this season not having gone as planned for the Kings, it appears that they are simply trying to get value for their older assets, and reboot for next season.
TL;DR
Los Angeles Kings trade:
- C Paul Statsny (85)
- RW Ryan Callahan (84)
- C Cam Paddock (60)
to the Ottawa Senators in exchange for:
- C/RW Joe Pavelski (85)
- RW Viktor Stalberg (81)
- D Cody Ceci (56)
- 2013 2nd round selection (OTT)
The Los Angeles Kings announced this morning, that their Captain, Paul Statsny, and Ryan Callahan, have both been traded to the Ottawa Senators in exchange for centre Joe Pavelski, Viktor Stalberg, first round draftee Cody Ceci, and Ottawa's 2nd round selection in this summer's Entry Draft.
[Trade] SportsCentre - Hell freezes over in Hollywood
