Post by torontogm on Jan 1, 2011 15:04:01 GMT -5
Toronto, ON - The Toronto Marlies dealt winger Konstantin Pushkarev and Mike Mottau to the Carolina Hurricanes in return for center Paul Szczechura, left winger Brett Sterling, defenseman Brett Carson and a fifth round pick in 2011.
"We felt we had a very strong Marlies club, but they have not performed up to our expectations," said GM Jade Graber. "This move should change the mix and hopefully create some pressure on underperforming players with the added depth."
In the deal the Leafs moved Mike Mottau who has arguably been the Marlies' best blueliner. "To be blunt Mike belongs in the NsHL and Carolina felt that they needed to add the experience and give him a chance to play where he belongs. It's tough to part with such an excellent person, but while he was a great help in bringing our youngsters along on the farm, we have a good veteran presence there still and he was a victim of numbers in our organization. We thank him for his service and wish him nothing but success as he returns to the NsHL."
Coach Jim Schoenfeld was pleased with the new players coming in. "Sterling is responsible defensively and can contribute on offense, Szczechura gives us options down the middle. Carson will play big minutes right away with the departure of Mottau and Voynov's injury, but we have depth there and will give some of our guys who have been practicing hard a chance to show us what they can do."
It is rumoured that Pushkarev had been grumbling about not getting a chance in the NsHL and was considering bolting to Russia, but with this trade he's expected to get a chance to play in the NsHL as well.
The Marlies hope that this move will help turn the tide as they have had some excellent individual play from the likes of Christian Hanson and goalie Sergei Bobrovsky, but overall just have not been able to win on a consistent basis as they did last year. The Leafs had hoped to be a favorite this year after such a strong regular season last year, but appear to have taken a step back so far this year.
- Barbie Q. Pork for the Hogtown Hockey News
"We felt we had a very strong Marlies club, but they have not performed up to our expectations," said GM Jade Graber. "This move should change the mix and hopefully create some pressure on underperforming players with the added depth."
In the deal the Leafs moved Mike Mottau who has arguably been the Marlies' best blueliner. "To be blunt Mike belongs in the NsHL and Carolina felt that they needed to add the experience and give him a chance to play where he belongs. It's tough to part with such an excellent person, but while he was a great help in bringing our youngsters along on the farm, we have a good veteran presence there still and he was a victim of numbers in our organization. We thank him for his service and wish him nothing but success as he returns to the NsHL."
Coach Jim Schoenfeld was pleased with the new players coming in. "Sterling is responsible defensively and can contribute on offense, Szczechura gives us options down the middle. Carson will play big minutes right away with the departure of Mottau and Voynov's injury, but we have depth there and will give some of our guys who have been practicing hard a chance to show us what they can do."
It is rumoured that Pushkarev had been grumbling about not getting a chance in the NsHL and was considering bolting to Russia, but with this trade he's expected to get a chance to play in the NsHL as well.
The Marlies hope that this move will help turn the tide as they have had some excellent individual play from the likes of Christian Hanson and goalie Sergei Bobrovsky, but overall just have not been able to win on a consistent basis as they did last year. The Leafs had hoped to be a favorite this year after such a strong regular season last year, but appear to have taken a step back so far this year.
- Barbie Q. Pork for the Hogtown Hockey News
