Chuzwazza
Registered User
With the Buffalo Sabres having their best run of the season, most could have reasonably assumed that the team would continue to stick to the status quo. Not so fast. Olli Jokinen arrived about a week ago, and helped the team continue in its winning ways, but management may have come up with something that may just be too big of a shakeup to recover from.
The deal? Buffalo sent veterans Sergei Zubov, Dwayne Roloson, Shawn Bates and Cliff Ronning alon with $2 million in cash to Chicago in exchange for goaltender Jocelyn Thibault, plus youngsters Stephen Weiss and Marc-Andre Bergeron.
Many see it as a strange deal given the team just parted with 2 of it's strongest prospects a week ago to help it gear up for a playoff run. For the Hawks, the deal is a logical one. The team is gearing up for a deep playoff run, and the 4 players they acquired should help them do that. Roloson and Zubov give them #1 guys in goal and on the blueline, and instantly make the teams defence look a whole lot stronger. Throw in the fact that they're both 80 OV's and the fans should come flocking. Shawn Bates has long been known for his tireless defensive work, and is a solid 2nd/3rd line forward with a lot of versatility. Cliff Ronning is a quality offensive player and PP specialist and should give the hawks offense even more punch.
So what are the Sabres thinking?
"We're not trying to win it all this year." Sabres GM Joshua Pitt said. "There are just too many teams in the league right now that are looking much stronger on paper than we are, and we intend on being around for a long time. These moves reflect that focus. Jocelyn may not be considered to be as good as Roloson, but he's nearly as good, and not as expensive. In fact, we're saving about 5 or 6 million off our payroll for next season as a result of this deal. Weiss is a great young player who will contribute now, but will only get better with time. Same goes for Marc, who is poised for a breakout year next season. I don't think we're quite done yet however, so we'll see what's left for us this season."
Sounds interesting. looks like the good old trading times are back in Buffalo.
That's all...for now.
Buffalo Bill
Hockey Editor for The Buffalo News
The deal? Buffalo sent veterans Sergei Zubov, Dwayne Roloson, Shawn Bates and Cliff Ronning alon with $2 million in cash to Chicago in exchange for goaltender Jocelyn Thibault, plus youngsters Stephen Weiss and Marc-Andre Bergeron.
Many see it as a strange deal given the team just parted with 2 of it's strongest prospects a week ago to help it gear up for a playoff run. For the Hawks, the deal is a logical one. The team is gearing up for a deep playoff run, and the 4 players they acquired should help them do that. Roloson and Zubov give them #1 guys in goal and on the blueline, and instantly make the teams defence look a whole lot stronger. Throw in the fact that they're both 80 OV's and the fans should come flocking. Shawn Bates has long been known for his tireless defensive work, and is a solid 2nd/3rd line forward with a lot of versatility. Cliff Ronning is a quality offensive player and PP specialist and should give the hawks offense even more punch.
So what are the Sabres thinking?
"We're not trying to win it all this year." Sabres GM Joshua Pitt said. "There are just too many teams in the league right now that are looking much stronger on paper than we are, and we intend on being around for a long time. These moves reflect that focus. Jocelyn may not be considered to be as good as Roloson, but he's nearly as good, and not as expensive. In fact, we're saving about 5 or 6 million off our payroll for next season as a result of this deal. Weiss is a great young player who will contribute now, but will only get better with time. Same goes for Marc, who is poised for a breakout year next season. I don't think we're quite done yet however, so we'll see what's left for us this season."
Sounds interesting. looks like the good old trading times are back in Buffalo.
That's all...for now.
Buffalo Bill
Hockey Editor for The Buffalo News
