CANES PULL TRIGGER TO SNAG FINNISH FORWARD
Carolina
After debating the value of prospect Drew Stafford, U.S. collegian, the Carolina Hurricanes went in another direction in the junior ranks. The Canes discussed at length with the Atlanta Thrashers the possibilities of making a move or two. In the end, the deal came down to a swap of two players. Drew Stafford for Lauri Korpikoski.
"It was a difficult deal to make for us," said General Manager Mark Lohaus. "Time and time again, we went over Stafford's eventual role with the club and in the end, we felt we needed a talented left winger more than a center."
Korpikoski, 18, comes to the club with expectations to be a front line scorer. With high end professional speed and a knack for finding the open man, Korpikoski looks like he has the tools to compete for a roster spot as early as next season.
"The junior club is very deep at all positions and making it will not be easy this season. We more or less are counting on him to step up next year and give us a second option on the left side, a spot I figure will be much weaker next year."
Arguably the happiest person about this trade was fellow Finn Lauri Tukonen, a right winger acquired back in the Alexei Kovalev deal with the Vancouver Canucks at week 7.
"We have played hockey with one another for so many years," said Tukonen. "I think the opportunity for us to play together in a professional league has always been the dream for us. I am very glad he has come here."
As stated, it is highly unlikely that either player will be in the junior lineup this season, but the talented duo will get every shot to be a major factor in the club’s season next year.
"I think these two can make us stronger in the long haul," said Lohaus. "Given their natural ability to work with one another, I think they have impact written all over them."
After debating the value of prospect Drew Stafford, U.S. collegian, the Carolina Hurricanes went in another direction in the junior ranks. The Canes discussed at length with the Atlanta Thrashers the possibilities of making a move or two. In the end, the deal came down to a swap of two players. Drew Stafford for Lauri Korpikoski.
"It was a difficult deal to make for us," said General Manager Mark Lohaus. "Time and time again, we went over Stafford's eventual role with the club and in the end, we felt we needed a talented left winger more than a center."
Korpikoski, 18, comes to the club with expectations to be a front line scorer. With high end professional speed and a knack for finding the open man, Korpikoski looks like he has the tools to compete for a roster spot as early as next season."The junior club is very deep at all positions and making it will not be easy this season. We more or less are counting on him to step up next year and give us a second option on the left side, a spot I figure will be much weaker next year."
Arguably the happiest person about this trade was fellow Finn Lauri Tukonen, a right winger acquired back in the Alexei Kovalev deal with the Vancouver Canucks at week 7.
"We have played hockey with one another for so many years," said Tukonen. "I think the opportunity for us to play together in a professional league has always been the dream for us. I am very glad he has come here."
As stated, it is highly unlikely that either player will be in the junior lineup this season, but the talented duo will get every shot to be a major factor in the club’s season next year.
"I think these two can make us stronger in the long haul," said Lohaus. "Given their natural ability to work with one another, I think they have impact written all over them."
posted by Lohaus at 9:44 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home