Meszaros joins Tampa Bay
The Senators traded the rights of restricted free agent
defenseman Andrej Meszaros to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for defensemen Filip Kuba, Alex Picard and a 2009 first-round draft
pick originally obtained from the Sharks earlier this offseason in a deal that
sent Dan Boyle to San Jose.
EN Says: While it's nice to see the Lightning finally
address its needs on defense, Tampa Bay gave up a bit too much. Additionally, the Bolts gave up two players at a position they were short at to begin with.
Meszaros is a solid, well-rounded player who has the
potential to be a No. 2 defenseman. But he's not worth what the Senators got
for him.
The Senators made the best out of a bad situation and in the
process filled a few holes on their blue line after having lost Wade Redden, Mike
Commodore and now Meszaros in the offseason. That said, their blueline is a
lot worse off than it was at the end of the season.
First-round draft picks,
regardless of where they fall, are always good to stockpile.
(Photo: Tom Hanson/The Canadiens Press)
EMPTY NETTER ASSISTS
Penguins
-Apparently Penguins general manager Ray Shero held things
up for Tampa Bay
in the Meszaros deal.
Atlantic Division
-The Flyers have approached former captain Eric Lindros
about a puppy-drowning ceremony in honor of the Spectrum.
Northeast Division
-La Press is reporting the Canadiens will retire the jersey
of former goaltender Patrick Roy.
Southeast Division
-Excluding any national appearances, the Hurricanes will
only have 65 games shown locally on television. And this was your Stanley Cup champion two years ago. Could you imagine... oh say... the Hartford Whalers.... (just off the top of our heads)... only having 65 games on television?
-Another day, another Capitals blogger not feeling too much
love for us.
Central Division
-Former Penguins goaltender Ty Conklin skated with some of
his new Red Wings teammates.
Adams Division
-With Stars forward Stu Barnes retiring, there are only
seven former Winnipeg Jets still in the NHL.
-Alaska
governor Sarah Palin, John McCain's running mate, is a hockey mom.
-The Dayton Bombers of the ECHL got some good publicity out of Palin's announcement yesterday.