Post by atlantaisburning on Feb 22, 2010 19:52:03 GMT -5
FLAMES ACQUIRE GAMES BEST
Flames make major splash acquiring Mario Lemieux
ATLANTA (AP) - The Atlanta Flames have made the biggest trade in franchise history. The team announced two days ago that they had a team meeting, and announced major changes were imminent. The next day, the team traded Joe Nieuwendyk and prospect Eric Daze in exchange for Mario Lemieux.
The news came as a shock to some, but the mood has changed dramatically. Just a week ago the team dropped two games to their division rival St. Patricks. A few days later, the locker room seemed malcontent. With Lemieux arriving hours ago, the arena was buzzing with questions like "is he here?". In fact, not a single Flames player missed the optional morning skate.
Lemieux comes to the Flames fresh off a Stanley Cup win with the Pirates. The Pirates struggled this year and have switched to rebuild mode. Lemieux was traded twice this season, but both trades were rendered void by the league. The most recent being a trade the Hartford Whalers backed out of. Lemieux had already booked a flight to Connecticut.
"We swooped in to get him as soon as we knew he was available. For us, seeing a player of his calibre in that situation made us eager to get something done before the trade deadline," said assistant general manager Lanny McDonald.
"We're devastated to see Joe [Nieuwendyk] go, but you have to give something good to get something good," said McDonald. "From our point of view, we get the best player without giving up our top young roster players or our top prospect." (Daymond Langkow, 5th overall draft pick this year)
It's clear for the Flames, who sit in sixth place, that the only acceptable place in the standings is first.
"We're obviously upset to see Joe go," said Wendel Clark. "But when we heard that Mario Lemieux was on the way here, we understood.
Nieuwendyk himself was upset, but did note that being traded for arguably the greatest player ever made it easier to take.
"Yeah, obviously Mario is one of the greatest ever, so I can understand why they made the move. I have some enormous shoes to fill.
SOUR GRAPES
In a related move, the Flames designated 14th forward Mike Keane for assignment on the farm team. However, Keane has refused to report to Calgary and hopes to be picked up on waivers.
When told that Mike Keane had a mouthful as he left, Head Coach Don Cherry was his usual candid self. Keane called the move classless.
"Well he can't say he was surprised though, we had a team meeting hours before he was sent down. Keaner's a beauty, but he just didn't fit in here. He wasn't even our next guy in the lineup. I told em upstairs- if he can't play here get him somewhere else.
GM Allan Bailey added: "Mike wasn't getting any playing time here. We were restricted because of the no-trade clause. Rather than keep him in the pressbox for the next two seasons, we placed him on waivers to give him an opportunity somewhere else."
"This move is not based on his play, but his lack thereof. We appreciate what Mike has done for the Flames, and wish him the best with whichever team picks him up."
When asked point blank if the Flames had done any wrong:
"It was a no-TRADE clause, not a no movement clause. Giving him a six figure salary for three seasons to play on the fourth line? Mike should be thanking us. I'm disappointed he's upset. I hope he thanks us for the opportunity one day."
Flames make major splash acquiring Mario Lemieux
ATLANTA (AP) - The Atlanta Flames have made the biggest trade in franchise history. The team announced two days ago that they had a team meeting, and announced major changes were imminent. The next day, the team traded Joe Nieuwendyk and prospect Eric Daze in exchange for Mario Lemieux.
The news came as a shock to some, but the mood has changed dramatically. Just a week ago the team dropped two games to their division rival St. Patricks. A few days later, the locker room seemed malcontent. With Lemieux arriving hours ago, the arena was buzzing with questions like "is he here?". In fact, not a single Flames player missed the optional morning skate.
Lemieux comes to the Flames fresh off a Stanley Cup win with the Pirates. The Pirates struggled this year and have switched to rebuild mode. Lemieux was traded twice this season, but both trades were rendered void by the league. The most recent being a trade the Hartford Whalers backed out of. Lemieux had already booked a flight to Connecticut.
"We swooped in to get him as soon as we knew he was available. For us, seeing a player of his calibre in that situation made us eager to get something done before the trade deadline," said assistant general manager Lanny McDonald.
"We're devastated to see Joe [Nieuwendyk] go, but you have to give something good to get something good," said McDonald. "From our point of view, we get the best player without giving up our top young roster players or our top prospect." (Daymond Langkow, 5th overall draft pick this year)
It's clear for the Flames, who sit in sixth place, that the only acceptable place in the standings is first.
"We're obviously upset to see Joe go," said Wendel Clark. "But when we heard that Mario Lemieux was on the way here, we understood.
Nieuwendyk himself was upset, but did note that being traded for arguably the greatest player ever made it easier to take.
"Yeah, obviously Mario is one of the greatest ever, so I can understand why they made the move. I have some enormous shoes to fill.
SOUR GRAPES
In a related move, the Flames designated 14th forward Mike Keane for assignment on the farm team. However, Keane has refused to report to Calgary and hopes to be picked up on waivers.
When told that Mike Keane had a mouthful as he left, Head Coach Don Cherry was his usual candid self. Keane called the move classless.
"Well he can't say he was surprised though, we had a team meeting hours before he was sent down. Keaner's a beauty, but he just didn't fit in here. He wasn't even our next guy in the lineup. I told em upstairs- if he can't play here get him somewhere else.
GM Allan Bailey added: "Mike wasn't getting any playing time here. We were restricted because of the no-trade clause. Rather than keep him in the pressbox for the next two seasons, we placed him on waivers to give him an opportunity somewhere else."
"This move is not based on his play, but his lack thereof. We appreciate what Mike has done for the Flames, and wish him the best with whichever team picks him up."
When asked point blank if the Flames had done any wrong:
"It was a no-TRADE clause, not a no movement clause. Giving him a six figure salary for three seasons to play on the fourth line? Mike should be thanking us. I'm disappointed he's upset. I hope he thanks us for the opportunity one day."