Hangtime on the Trade Job

Exactly a week ago, Bryan Murray took advantage of the roster freeze before the maximizing Olympic games took over. The righteous dictator made one of his world-famous fix-it-up moves before the Trade Deadline by acquiring Matt Cullen from the Carolina Hurricanes (remember them?) for Alexandre Picard and a 2nd round pick this summer. To Peecard I say adieu, and somewhat hope he has a good time in the Carolinas. He never panned out for us and this season was one to forget for him. He was severely outplayed by guys like Erik Karlsson, Matt Carkner, and most importantly, Chris Campoli. He was eventually expandable and traded for better value. The 2nd rounder may mean something long term, but for now it was just waste.

Matt Cullen has won a Cup, as you can see in the picture above. Even though the Senators are a very good team right now, I don’t think they’ll be ready for the playoffs. This where Matt Cullen comes in, a top-6 forward who can play in his own zone, killing penalties, and scoring goals. Cullen will likely take time to get adjusted in Ottawa, but the benefits are good intentioned. Especially with Jonathan Cheechoo now toiling in the minor league, Cullen can replace him on the Michalek-Spezza line or take a role alongside Mike Fisher and Alex Kovalev. However, that’s Cory Clouston’s job.

As for trades to come, I think there will be. I like the idea of getting a defenseman to play fiddlesticks with Matt Carkner and for veteran leadership on that young defensive core. However, there aren’t many cherries to pick from. Yes, you have Keith Ballard, who’s a very underrated player on a very overrated team, but would you really want this guy? Yes, Dan Hamhuis would be great but I don’t see why the Nashville Predators would trade him especially when they’re in the thick of things in the West? Jordan Leopold, overrated. Ditto for Dennis Seidenberg. The guy I would like Ottawa to get is Kurtis Foster, who has a cannon of a shot, plays big, mean, and nasty, and is defensively responsible.

By the way, I so called Slovakia upsetting Russia. If the Czechs can beat the Russians, than clearly Russia’s offense failed them this time around.