kasper11
Registered User
Devils General Manager has done the unthinkable....trading one of his top players to one of his fiercest rivals. Ilya Kovalchuk is now officially a New York Ranger. In exchange for Kovalchuk the Devils will receive promising young defenseman Shea Weber, prospect Trevor Lewis, and the 10th overall pick in this years draft.
Said Epstein: "Moving Ilya was tough, he has been a great player for us for the past couple of seasons. We have two straight division titles, and he is a big reason why, but with wingers Blake, Gaborik, Semin, Vanek set for the top two lines next season Kovalchuk and his salary became somewhat expendable."
On how he could move a true superstar to an up and coming Rangers team in the same division, Epstein said "it was the best offer we saw. We have been looking to add a top young defenseman for some time, and feel that we have done it in Weber. He could be a top pairing guy for quite some time."
Will this deal tip the balance of power in the Atlantic? Only time will tell.
Said Epstein: "Moving Ilya was tough, he has been a great player for us for the past couple of seasons. We have two straight division titles, and he is a big reason why, but with wingers Blake, Gaborik, Semin, Vanek set for the top two lines next season Kovalchuk and his salary became somewhat expendable."
On how he could move a true superstar to an up and coming Rangers team in the same division, Epstein said "it was the best offer we saw. We have been looking to add a top young defenseman for some time, and feel that we have done it in Weber. He could be a top pairing guy for quite some time."
Will this deal tip the balance of power in the Atlantic? Only time will tell.
