Post by Nashville Predators on Aug 28, 2003 14:28:50 GMT -5
Detroit, MI.
The Detroit Redwings, currently sitting first overall in the league, made a very surprising move last night. They dealt stalwart blueliner Kyle McLaren to the Ottawa Senators for young and promising bluechip blueliner Nick Boynton and prospect defenseman Johnny Boychuck.
The move was apparently spurred on as GM Hyack knew his defence beyond his top 3 of Jovanovski, Gill, and McLaren was not all that stellar. Moreover, the Redwings lack any sort of youth contingent on defense on the farm nor in their prospect system.
GM Hyack, knowing fullwell that Boynton is going to be a #1 defenseman in the NHL, felt that a player of such potential should not be passed by lightly. Adding Boychuck was a bonus.
"We feel that Boynton is the complete package defenseman, he's big, has a good shot, and has hockeys smarts," claimed GM Hyack. "Although Nick may not play as physical as his size would suggest, he plays a more cerebral game and with maturity the physical aspect of the game should come more naturally. Adding Boychuck to the deal is a complete bonus as we failed to draft a decent defenseman this past draft and now in the next draft our focus may be on the best player available at the time rather than picking by position."
Some wonder if this move is wise as the Redwings could see a few more scoring chances without McLaren's defensive contributions. Rumours have already spread that both of the teams goalies Tommy Salo and Tomas Vokoun are a little upset about the deal, while their save percentage may fall below the .900 mark, they will get more than enough goal support to win games.
Oddly enough, Detroit and Ottawa will meet tonight less than 24 hours after the deal is done. Both McLaren and Boynton are expected to suit up for their new teams while Boychuk has been sent to the Redwings farm for development.
The Detroit Redwings, currently sitting first overall in the league, made a very surprising move last night. They dealt stalwart blueliner Kyle McLaren to the Ottawa Senators for young and promising bluechip blueliner Nick Boynton and prospect defenseman Johnny Boychuck.
The move was apparently spurred on as GM Hyack knew his defence beyond his top 3 of Jovanovski, Gill, and McLaren was not all that stellar. Moreover, the Redwings lack any sort of youth contingent on defense on the farm nor in their prospect system.
GM Hyack, knowing fullwell that Boynton is going to be a #1 defenseman in the NHL, felt that a player of such potential should not be passed by lightly. Adding Boychuck was a bonus.
"We feel that Boynton is the complete package defenseman, he's big, has a good shot, and has hockeys smarts," claimed GM Hyack. "Although Nick may not play as physical as his size would suggest, he plays a more cerebral game and with maturity the physical aspect of the game should come more naturally. Adding Boychuck to the deal is a complete bonus as we failed to draft a decent defenseman this past draft and now in the next draft our focus may be on the best player available at the time rather than picking by position."
Some wonder if this move is wise as the Redwings could see a few more scoring chances without McLaren's defensive contributions. Rumours have already spread that both of the teams goalies Tommy Salo and Tomas Vokoun are a little upset about the deal, while their save percentage may fall below the .900 mark, they will get more than enough goal support to win games.
Oddly enough, Detroit and Ottawa will meet tonight less than 24 hours after the deal is done. Both McLaren and Boynton are expected to suit up for their new teams while Boychuk has been sent to the Redwings farm for development.