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How many times have we heard rumours about Kyle
McLaren and Jeff
Hackett ? Too many to count. Today both of them were moved in the same
deal. The Habs traded Hackett to the Sharks for Niklas
Sundstrom and a 3rd round pick. The Sharks then packaged Hackett and Jeff
Jillson and sent them to the Bruins for McLaren and a 4th rounder.
So who wins and who loses:
 The Bruins win this deal
in both the short and long term. Hackett fills a void in between the pipes
this year until either Tim
Thomas or Andrew
Raycroft step up to challenge Steve
Shields and Jeff
Jillson will be given every opportunity to grow into the PP quarterback
role. A fantastic deal considering the B's didn't have to give up anyone out
of their starting lineup.
 They were going to be
paying Hackett about $1.8 million to play in about 10 games and then sending
him on his way as an UFA. This way the Habs pick up one of the better
defensive forwards in hockey and a 3rd round pick and promote Mathieu
Garon to back-up tender. Not a deal that guarantees the team a playoff
spot, but certainly a step in the right direction.
 What were they thinking?
In essence they traded Sundstrom, Jillson and a 3rd for McLaren and a 4th.
Short term this is a risk for the Sharks and in the long term they will come
to regret this deal. McLaren is an injury risk who brings a solid defensive
game to the rink every night. He will not be able to help the Sharks
struggling powerplay. While Sundstrom was expendable with San Jose's
plethora of defensive forwards, Jillson will grow into an exceptional
offensive d-man and it's likely the Sharks will be kicking themselves two
years down the road. |
