Canes Deal Niedermayer, Bring on the Kids
CAROLINA 
In a surprising move, the Carolina Hurricanes have moved veteran defenseman Scott Niedermayer to the San Jose Sharks. The full deal reads as Scott Niedermayer, junior winger Alexander Drozdetsky, Carolina and Nashville's fifth round picks and an undisclosed amount of money heading to San Jose for young pros Jeff Woywitka and Joffrey Lupul, junior forward Junior Lessard and San Jose’s first round draft. When asked to comment on the deal, Niedermayer politely turned down the media. Joel Quenneville could be reached for comment, however, and had this to say.
"The team felt going into the weekend that we lacked a little something. I cannot comment on what the guys are saying but in general there was a certain aura in the room and a lot centered around some of the vets in there. I think Scott is a great guy, a fantastic player and a true leader but in this room, but I don't think he ever fit in."
Shane Doan left practice early today and there might possibly be somewhat of a riff being built up between the captain and some of the team's management. Doan was unable to be reached for comment but was overheard in a heated discussion with Quenneville.
"Shane is the leader of the team," said Quenneville. "I don't want to be the guy telling him how things have to be in his own life but when it comes to hockey decisions for the team based on financials and its future, he would be best to step back and be a player."
In coming for the Canes are two youngsters, Jeff Woywitka and Joffrey Lupul. Woywitka translates into a hard nosed defender with moderate offensive upside. Woywitka, 23, was a former member of Team Canada's silver medal team, a team that also held membership for several current Canes including Carlo Colaiacovo, Brendan Bell, Steve Eminger, Tim Brent and Kyle Wellwood.
"I think going to the East Coast is a great opportunity," said Woywitka. "Getting to play again is going to be huge for me. I have never been a bench warming type of guy and in San Jose, young guys like me don’t play. They have far more talent than most teams in the league but to be honest, I want on the ice as much as possible. Coach Quenneville assured me I will be a regular here. It is an exciting time for me and my family."
Joffrey Lupul, the big forward, has often been looked at as a disappointment by many for his slow development. The Canes felt he had the upside to be a regular in future seasons but is not likely to crack the lineup as a regular, at least in the short term.
"Playing in San Jose wasn't going to be a reality any time soon," said Lupul. "I think at least here I have a shot to find my way into the lineup. I've been dealt a couple times now and I'm starting to get a bit of a complex about it. I hope this is my last stop and I really want the chance to show them what I can do."
Junior Lessard, the 23 year old junior sniper, has already been assigned to the Canes junior squad. Lessard, a right winger, is known as a strong winger with a big shot. The Canes squad has been rather thin on goals from its right side and Lessard might be what the doctor ordered.
The Canes are off for the next day and hopefully the new additions will find their way into the lineup for the next game.
Note: Kris Draper has recovered from his injury and will not miss any games.
In a surprising move, the Carolina Hurricanes have moved veteran defenseman Scott Niedermayer to the San Jose Sharks. The full deal reads as Scott Niedermayer, junior winger Alexander Drozdetsky, Carolina and Nashville's fifth round picks and an undisclosed amount of money heading to San Jose for young pros Jeff Woywitka and Joffrey Lupul, junior forward Junior Lessard and San Jose’s first round draft. When asked to comment on the deal, Niedermayer politely turned down the media. Joel Quenneville could be reached for comment, however, and had this to say.
"The team felt going into the weekend that we lacked a little something. I cannot comment on what the guys are saying but in general there was a certain aura in the room and a lot centered around some of the vets in there. I think Scott is a great guy, a fantastic player and a true leader but in this room, but I don't think he ever fit in."
Shane Doan left practice early today and there might possibly be somewhat of a riff being built up between the captain and some of the team's management. Doan was unable to be reached for comment but was overheard in a heated discussion with Quenneville.
"Shane is the leader of the team," said Quenneville. "I don't want to be the guy telling him how things have to be in his own life but when it comes to hockey decisions for the team based on financials and its future, he would be best to step back and be a player."
In coming for the Canes are two youngsters, Jeff Woywitka and Joffrey Lupul. Woywitka translates into a hard nosed defender with moderate offensive upside. Woywitka, 23, was a former member of Team Canada's silver medal team, a team that also held membership for several current Canes including Carlo Colaiacovo, Brendan Bell, Steve Eminger, Tim Brent and Kyle Wellwood. "I think going to the East Coast is a great opportunity," said Woywitka. "Getting to play again is going to be huge for me. I have never been a bench warming type of guy and in San Jose, young guys like me don’t play. They have far more talent than most teams in the league but to be honest, I want on the ice as much as possible. Coach Quenneville assured me I will be a regular here. It is an exciting time for me and my family."
Joffrey Lupul, the big forward, has often been looked at as a disappointment by many for his slow development. The Canes felt he had the upside to be a regular in future seasons but is not likely to crack the lineup as a regular, at least in the short term."Playing in San Jose wasn't going to be a reality any time soon," said Lupul. "I think at least here I have a shot to find my way into the lineup. I've been dealt a couple times now and I'm starting to get a bit of a complex about it. I hope this is my last stop and I really want the chance to show them what I can do."
Junior Lessard, the 23 year old junior sniper, has already been assigned to the Canes junior squad. Lessard, a right winger, is known as a strong winger with a big shot. The Canes squad has been rather thin on goals from its right side and Lessard might be what the doctor ordered.
The Canes are off for the next day and hopefully the new additions will find their way into the lineup for the next game.
Note: Kris Draper has recovered from his injury and will not miss any games.
posted by Lohaus at 11:31 AM
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