Vancouver, (BC) - Canucks General Manager Greg Byron has once again been busy the last few days on the trade front. First he picked up three guys who like to do their talking with their fists, Doug Doull from Boston, Steve McLaren from St.Louis and Dennis Bonvie from Colorado. For all 3 players the Canucks only gave up a late round pick and a handful of cash. All three will likely play the season with the Moose unless a lot of toughness needs to be addded to the lineup.
"We do have our share of toughness already with guys like Ruutu, Jovo, Cooke, White, Allen and Doan who can all handle themselves. It is nice however to know we have some other options in Manitoba with May, Tootoo, Bonvie, Doull, Brookbank and McLaren. There are a couple chippy teams out there and we'll be ready for them if they plan on playing that way against us" stated Head Coach Marc Crawford.
Those three deals only proved to be minor compared to the next two deals Byron would make. In the fourth deal of the week Byron upgraded an already potent defense core by sending Kyle McLaren, Antoine Vermette and a late round pick to the Devils in exchange for B.C. born defensive defenseman Scott Hannan and right wing prospect Petr Kanko. As a sidenote, both Hannan and Byron grew up playing in the same minor hockey association. Hannan adds some more hometown flavour and will be relied on for ove 20 minutes a game in a top four role. Hannan is expected to play with either Colin White or newly acquired Chris Phillips while Jovanovski and Ohlund will be the #1 pairing.
As mentioned, the Canucks also acquired Chris Phillips the next day from Ottawa. Byron sent Cory Sarich and a 2nd rounder in the 2005 entry draft for Chris Phillips and a 5th rounder in 2005. Phillips is a player that is somewhat similiar to Hannan and should be a nice solid physical presence on the blueline. Phillips will most likely play with Hannan, leaving White and Allen to the 3rd pairing.
"We are very lucky to have such a great group of defensemen here and I think that is going to go a long way for us. Hannan and Phillips are two very good players who can shut down the other team. One thing that is so nice about this, is that it will allow us to play Jovo and Ohlund together all the time which could be quite something." said Crawford on the two new defensemen.
The two new Canucks will see their first action tomorrow in Philadelphia.
THE PROVINCE