Post by coyotesgm on Jul 19, 2006 23:42:52 GMT -5
The first trade deadline has come and gone in the IWHL, and this reporter sits here and wonders what we should call GM Austin after his deadline. The words "Deal Maker" likely would sum it up. After watching the Coyotes slowly fall to 8th in the Smythe Division from a position only 3 weeks ago where it looked like the playoffs were a given for the Coyotes, GM Austin went out and made deals that will make the team Bigger (and we do mean bigger) and stronger. Although Austin was not the busiest man (he pulled off only 3 deals)... he has changed the face of this team dramatically in the 3 deals.
When names like Lecalvier, St. Louis and Leopold are departing from your team, you really worry about what your GM was thinking. Well we know what he was thinking, he was thinking about making this team better... and we believe he did just that adding Chara, Ignila and Ryder.
Let's look at the deals:
To Phoenix:
Chara
Ryder
To Minny:
Lecalvier
Leopold
Chara was the main ingredient here for Austin, but Ryder's 51 points so far this season make him a keeper. In fact that's much nicer then Vinny's 33 points. And in a team who's defense has been subject all year, Leopolds -12 and 37 points, likely won't be missed when you exchange those for Chara (all 6'9" of him) 38 points but a +10.
In deal # 2 Austin pulls the trigger on the following:
To Montreal:
Martin St. Louis
Mike O'Donnell
To Phoenix:
Jerome Iginla
Chris Chelios
Jerome is one of the best power forwards in the league and he adds a lot to the Phoenix team. His 48 points this year are a nice bonus especially when put up against St. Louis 39 points and -19 rating. The real bonus in the deals just might be Chelios. Add in Chara and Chelios to Adam Foote and you all of a sudden have a very strong 1,2,3 punch of big, rough and tough dman. Phoneix goals against have been the achilles heal and this should help solidify that. Phoenix ironically (even with Chelios age) get younger with this deal. Jerome is younger than Martin and both Chelios and O'donnell are UFAs at the end of the year.
Deal 3 may just be the sleeper deal for Phoenix.
To LA:
Luc Robatille
To Phoenix:
Alexi Yashin
Robatille has been having a fabolous year playing on the third line all year, but adding in Yashin helps fill some of the gap that was created at center with the depature of Lecalvier. Robatille is a UFA at the end of the season and it's highly speculated that he will retire, Yashin while expensive is locked up for another 2 years of contract.
All in all, we are impressed this team is better and stronger than they were 2 days ago. We look for them to solidify that playoff spot and make it deep into the playoffs now.
When names like Lecalvier, St. Louis and Leopold are departing from your team, you really worry about what your GM was thinking. Well we know what he was thinking, he was thinking about making this team better... and we believe he did just that adding Chara, Ignila and Ryder.
Let's look at the deals:
To Phoenix:
Chara
Ryder
To Minny:
Lecalvier
Leopold
Chara was the main ingredient here for Austin, but Ryder's 51 points so far this season make him a keeper. In fact that's much nicer then Vinny's 33 points. And in a team who's defense has been subject all year, Leopolds -12 and 37 points, likely won't be missed when you exchange those for Chara (all 6'9" of him) 38 points but a +10.
In deal # 2 Austin pulls the trigger on the following:
To Montreal:
Martin St. Louis
Mike O'Donnell
To Phoenix:
Jerome Iginla
Chris Chelios
Jerome is one of the best power forwards in the league and he adds a lot to the Phoenix team. His 48 points this year are a nice bonus especially when put up against St. Louis 39 points and -19 rating. The real bonus in the deals just might be Chelios. Add in Chara and Chelios to Adam Foote and you all of a sudden have a very strong 1,2,3 punch of big, rough and tough dman. Phoneix goals against have been the achilles heal and this should help solidify that. Phoenix ironically (even with Chelios age) get younger with this deal. Jerome is younger than Martin and both Chelios and O'donnell are UFAs at the end of the year.
Deal 3 may just be the sleeper deal for Phoenix.
To LA:
Luc Robatille
To Phoenix:
Alexi Yashin
Robatille has been having a fabolous year playing on the third line all year, but adding in Yashin helps fill some of the gap that was created at center with the depature of Lecalvier. Robatille is a UFA at the end of the season and it's highly speculated that he will retire, Yashin while expensive is locked up for another 2 years of contract.
All in all, we are impressed this team is better and stronger than they were 2 days ago. We look for them to solidify that playoff spot and make it deep into the playoffs now.