... and the Jackets pick it up!
Rumours out of the Twin Cities have the Minnesota Wild trading veteran defenceman Roman Hamrlik to Columbus for Brian Pothier and a draft pick. The deal is apparently pending league confirmation.
Reaction in Columbus was mixed. The adminstration has been roundly criticized in recent weeks for trading away their veteran players, and yet now it seems they've made a trade to acquire another 30-something. Fans are, needless to say, confused.
"How good would Hamrlik look on the point with Shanny in the slot to tip his point shot?", asked one Jackets supporter. "Oh wait, we'll never know now, will we?..."
Jackets Head Coach Mike Babcock's response was direct and concise: "I don't comment on rumours".
GM Doug Emerson was not available for comment as he awaits a call from the league.
*** THIS JUST IN: The League office has confirmed the trade of Roman Hamrlik from Minnesota to Columbus in return for Brian Pothier and TOR 3rd 2007 (recently acquired from Colorado).
Keith Carney, newly re-christened as team captain with the trade of Brenden Shanahan, addressed reporters after a voluntary practice session today.
"Brian (Pothier) was a good kid (at 29 years of age), and he'll do well in Minny, but we needed someone who could play a more complete game, and Hamrlik brings that. Sure it'll help us next year, but we haven't counted ourselves out of the mix for this year, as I think we demonstrated over the last couple of games (wins over Chicago and Anaheim). Having him back there with us will make things easier for Pete (Budaj, the Jackets' rookie starting netminder)."