Deal Between Rivals

[RT14]

Division rivals Detroit and St. Louis hooked up for a 5 player deal late last night that sees the Blues attempt to address their defensive woes of late.

To Det:
-Joffrey Lupul LW, 28y 68ov, $6.0/3yr
-Ron Hainsey D, 31y 65ov, $2.62/3yr
-Dan Catenacci C, 19y ECHL
-2013 3rd (Bos)

To St.L:
-Erik Johnson D, 24y 68ov, $6.5/2y
-Ales Hemsky LW, 28y 65ov, $4.0/3y

We needed to upgrade our #1 Defenseman and hope that EJ does the trick for the time being. He's still young with a lot of upside but is just coming back from a minor concussion which is a bit concerning. Still, we think he's going to rebound and continue progressing into a top pairing guy for the NHL's Avs.

Hemsky is having a pretty good year in the NHL and may have a good situation going in Edm down the road as he gets close to his 30's and becomes more of a veteran leader.

Thanks to Nate for the talks. They became extended as he enjoyed staring at the new and improved Lara Croft, but I couldn't blame him for it.

[flamesfan6]

EJ had 3 points and was -4 in his brief time with Detroit, so I felt like the opportunity to pick up another top 6 forward and also get a defenceman who can fill in the top 4 with a good salary in return would be a good move. My team needed a shakeup as we are only 5-4-1 in our last 10 and hopefully adding some added offence over Hemsky on the third line will do that.

Horton will return to the 3rd line where he was having some better success when I first took over the team and Lupul will hopefully get some chemistry with Umberger and Michalek, at least to start with.

With Lupul, I now have the opportunity to move a top 6 forward for another defenceman, but there is no rush as Pronger just came back from injury.

Getting an early 3rd in the draft as well as Catenacci will help provide some youth into the team, a team that only had 1 4th for this year and not much on the ECHL. Now we are up to a 3rd and 3 4ths for the draft.

Thanks to Ryan for the deal, I know I didn't make it quick as Tomb Raider came out last night and had my attention .. and no not that way

[TurdFerguson]

While someone what enigmatic players, STL gets better quality in this deal for sure.

Looking back at how EJ ended up in det...not sure i really like how m staal has basically turned into hainsey, Caron and Catenacci. Each to there own though, but staal is an elite shutdown defender and there is nothing special about what has replaced him, in my opinion of course

[flamesfan6]

Originally Posted by TurdFerguson

While someone what enigmatic players, STL gets better quality in this deal for sure.

Looking back at how EJ ended up in det...not sure i really like how m staal has basically turned into hainsey, Caron and Catenacci. Each to there own though, but staal is an elite shutdown defender and there is nothing special about what has replaced him, in my opinion of course

I'd look at it more that Staal turned into Lupul, Caron, Catenacci. Maybe it would be better having kept Staal but I like the moves I've done so far. This move potentially opens the door to move some players in other deals that I was not willing to do before to help out my team.

[TurdFerguson]

fair enough - still dont like it but that doesnt really mean anything. Either way, great to see you put you stamp on things.