Hockey Night in Canada's Scott Morrison breaks down all the major trades made on NHL trade deadline day.
Wings, Flyers, Hawks make some swaps
Monday, February 26, 2007 | 11:53 PM ET
Three-way deal: Philadelphia trades left-winger Kyle Calder to Chicago for a third-round pick in 2007 and defenceman Lasse Kukkonen. Chicago then trades Calder to Detroit for centre/winger Jason Williams.
According to Blackhawks general manager Dale Tallon, he has been trying to get Williams since the summer, feeling he can add to an offense that has at times been anemic and a power play that has been brutal most of the year. Williams can play the point. Tallon also referenced his speed and skill. Last season, Williams had 21 goals, but has slipped to 11 so far this season and the Red Wings privately felt he was too soft.
Calder was once a Blackhawk, acquired in the ill-fated Michal Handzus deal in August, and was about to become an unrestricted free agent in Philly, who tried to resign him but when talks went nowhere, decided instead to get something for him. They ultimately wind up with Kukkonen, who once played with Flyer defenceman Joni Pitkanen in Finland, so obviously they are hoping there is chemistry there. The Flyers are clearly trying to get younger and more mobile on the blue-line and add players with better puck handling skills. They have done that.
Finally, the Wings are hoping that Calder, who had just nine goals this year and never found himself in Philly, can rediscover the form that made him a 20-plus goal scorer two years running.
Who wins? The jury is out. Calder and Williams were both underperforming, although the Hawks have clearly had their eye on him. Detroit was looking for a top six forward, not sure Calder can be that guy. And the Flyers are unloading. Give the early nod to Chicago.
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About the Author
Scott Morrison, the recipient of the Hockey Hall of Fameís 2006 Elmer Ferguson Memorial Award, has been covering hockey for 25 years. The Toronto native began his career at the Toronto Sun in 1979. After spending more than 11 years as a hockey writer and columnist at the paper, Morrison became Sports Editor in 1991 and led the section to being named one of North America's top-ten sports sections in 1999 - the first sports section in Canada to receive the AP Sports Editors North American Award. Scott, a former two-term president of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association, joined Rogers Sportsnet in 2001 as Managing Editor, Hockey, and is currently both a commentator on Hockey Night in Canada and a columnist for CBC.ca.
Recent Posts
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- Monday, February 26, 2007
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Comments
The Bambino
Newfoundland
Nod to Chicago overall for sure. Williams will get a lot ice time in Chicago. Another offensive minded player with speed to play beside Havlat. Losing Smolinski and gaining Williams, any GM would be elated. Tallon has them headed in the right direction. Give them two years to gel together and hopefully Bhulin can stay healthy.
Detroit could prosper, who knows how Calder will respond playing with the talent the Wings have. Depends on who he plays him with.
Philly is a dud, they should clean house. Trade Hatcher and Rathje to Universal Studios for the rights to a new movie "Slow and Slower".
Posted February 27, 2007 08:33 AM
Joseph
It's better for a rookie GM to admit his mistake by finally putting Marc Chouinard on waivers and replace him with Smolinski down the middle. Other players which has not pan out are Santala and Bulius. However, Nonis has plugged in younger players like Barrows, Cowen and others from the farm to patch up these mistake. Overall, it's better to make a mistake on a one-year contract players than multi-years. Nonis also realize defencemens like Krajicek are not going to cut it when call upon to be a top 4 defencemen. Sopel was a top 4 in Vancouver and L.A.
Posted February 27, 2007 12:50 PM