CANES MOVE TO SOLIDIFY MIDDLE
Carolina
The Carolina Hurricanes made an interesting swap today sending young defenseman Cole Jarrett (Acquired previously in the McKee/Brodeur Deal) and speedy penalty killer Trevor Letowski to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for Shawn Horcoff, junior defenseman Ray Giroux and a 4th round draft pick for this upcoming draft.
The Canes have been shopping for a passing center over the past couple of weeks and the Leafs have had this versatile forward playing minimal time due to exceptional depth.
In Horcoff, the Canes receive a two way center with a flash knack for making a smart pass while being completely competent in his own end and winning more faceoffs than he loses. Ideally, Horcoff will end up as a second line center but might have a tough battle ahead with speedy Brad Richards and the dimunitive playmaker Daniel Briere.
"I am just looking forward to the chance to get out on the ice for some meaningful minutes," said Horcoff. "The Leafs have a real sound youth movement operation going on and guys like Staal and Sedin have to play to make them better. I understood and there are no bad feelings there at all. Hopefully I will prove that I am a better fit here."
The Canes struggle up the middle have been evident throughout the season. Olli Jokinen was dealt for Brad Richards in order to try and spark offensive gunner Jarome Iginla and Dany Heatley, but neither have been able to get going as of yet. Briere has been moving from line ot line and might have found some new found success with speedy Jeff Friesen. Time will tell.
What the Canes do know, however, is that they are a stronger team on the ice with Horcoff than they were yesterday. Look for the Canes to give the 28 year old as much ice time as he needs to get his feet wet.
Unfortunately he will miss tonight's pure ass kicking via the Islanders, but will be in the lineup the following game.
The Carolina Hurricanes made an interesting swap today sending young defenseman Cole Jarrett (Acquired previously in the McKee/Brodeur Deal) and speedy penalty killer Trevor Letowski to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for Shawn Horcoff, junior defenseman Ray Giroux and a 4th round draft pick for this upcoming draft.
The Canes have been shopping for a passing center over the past couple of weeks and the Leafs have had this versatile forward playing minimal time due to exceptional depth.
In Horcoff, the Canes receive a two way center with a flash knack for making a smart pass while being completely competent in his own end and winning more faceoffs than he loses. Ideally, Horcoff will end up as a second line center but might have a tough battle ahead with speedy Brad Richards and the dimunitive playmaker Daniel Briere."I am just looking forward to the chance to get out on the ice for some meaningful minutes," said Horcoff. "The Leafs have a real sound youth movement operation going on and guys like Staal and Sedin have to play to make them better. I understood and there are no bad feelings there at all. Hopefully I will prove that I am a better fit here."
The Canes struggle up the middle have been evident throughout the season. Olli Jokinen was dealt for Brad Richards in order to try and spark offensive gunner Jarome Iginla and Dany Heatley, but neither have been able to get going as of yet. Briere has been moving from line ot line and might have found some new found success with speedy Jeff Friesen. Time will tell.
What the Canes do know, however, is that they are a stronger team on the ice with Horcoff than they were yesterday. Look for the Canes to give the 28 year old as much ice time as he needs to get his feet wet.
Unfortunately he will miss tonight's pure ass kicking via the Islanders, but will be in the lineup the following game.
posted by Lohaus at 2:13 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home