CrashingTheGoalie

by Ron Spence

 

I have this irritating habit of gestalting players.

I see them as part of a whole, rather than a linear progression.

I hear a name and think of: where they played their amateur hockey – if I know the player; who was their coach and on their team; who drafted them and who else was selected in that draft year. 

Then, it’s: where they played in the minors; with which teammates; where they played in the NHL; where and who they were traded for, etc. 

But, as I say, that’s if I know the player.

 

As I am hearing – both Marian Hossa and Dan Heatley – being discussed repeatedly over this past week, I think of their trade – and the ripples from that trade outwards to other teams.

I have his irritating habit of gestalting trades as well.

It was on August 23rd, 2005 that Hossa was traded – along with Greg de  Vries to Atlanta, for Dany Heatley.

Heatley had that terrible accident, and wanted out of Atlanta, and ended up a Senator.

Greg Devries was a good pickup for the Thrashers:

 

GREG DEVRIES

 

“Let us not shy away from the addition of de Vries,” wrote David Pagnotta, “who gives the Thrashers a strong, intelligent veteran to play among their top-four.”

“…a solid defenseman in de Vries to anchor an otherwise suspect blue line,” added the Fourth Period’s Dan Rakusan.

 

GREG DEVRIES

 

DeVries had two good seasons in Atlanta, and then signed on with Nashville when he became a free agent. The Thrashers, in turn, signed Ken Klee.

 

Marian Hossa played well in Atlanta, but was becoming an unrestricted free agent the following July and was traded to Pittsburgh on February 26, 2008.

 

MARIAN HOSSA

 

Pascal Dupuis went along with Hossa to Pittsburgh, in return for Colby Armstrong, Erik Christensen, Angelo Esposito and Pittsburh’s 1st round pick (Daulton Leveille) in last summer’s draft.

 

PASCAL DUPUIS

 

The Thrashers had traded one of their poor first round picks – Alex Bourret – to the Rangers for Dupuis and a 3rd round draft pick who they later traded to Pittsburgh for Chris Thorburn.

Bouret was selected 16th overall in 2005, and has played three seasons in the AHL. 

 

CHRIS THORBURN

 

 

For Hossa and Dupuis, Atlanta acquired four young players.

Like Dupuis, Colby Armstrong is a 3rd line player. He scored 22 goals and 18 assists for the Thrashers.

 

COLBY ARMSTRONG

 

Erik Christensen came to the Thrashers with  a torn labrum in his right shoulder, which he had suffered in Pittsburgh. He didn’t play that well in Atlanta and was traded to Anaheim for their 2nd round pick, 39th overall in the 2008 Entry Draft – Erik O’Dell.

Christensen has had an operation this summer, and should be ready for next season

 

ERIK O’DELL

 

The Thrashers also acquired Pittsburgh’s first round pick from 2007. Angelo Esposito had been selected 20th overall.

 

ANGELO ESPOSITO

 

“A skilled playmaker,” wrote Hockey’s Future, “[Angelo] Esposito’s puck-handling and creative talents are on par with many of the best to have come through the QMJHL in the past several seasons. He is an excellent skater with great drive to the net and excellent hands…he does run into occasional consistency issues, and could stand to work harder in traffic.”

The fourth player who the Thrashers acquired, was Daulton Leveille. He was selected 29th overall in the 2008 draft – Pittsburgh’s selection.

 

DAULTON LEVEILLE

 

“Daulton Leveille had a good freshman year as far as we’re concerned,” said Atlanta’s Director of Amateur Scouting Dan Marr. “He was the youngest player in the [CCHA] league…he needs [to develop] more strength than most. We know that in four years he will–if he needs that long. We knew going in that he would play a lot at Michigan State–which he did…mentally tough…His speed is unbelievable and the scoring will come along–he gets tons of chances.”

 

*****

 

So, for Dany Heatley: Atlanta acquired a solid dman – who played for them for two seasons – and Marian Hossa – who was a Thrasher for 3 1/2 seasons.

Then, for Hossa they received a respectable 3rd line player, and 3 prospects.

It will be interesting to compare the Thrashers’ assets with those that Ottawa acquires during the next couple of weeks.

 

*****

 

And Pittsburgh? 

As the world knows, Marian Hossa signed with the Detroit Red Wings on July 2, 2008. 

But, without Hossa, Pittsburgh arguably wouldn’t have made it to the Stanley Cup finals in 2008 – a trial run for their 2009 Cup win.

 

*****

 

player stats courtesy of hockeydb.com

player profiles courtesy of sportsnet.ca