Sat 10 Feb 2007
Soo.. any New York Post readers out there? I know, I know.. but according to this article (link opens in new window) New Jersey is interested in acquiring Boston’s Brad Stuart. The Devils offer? David Hale and two prospects in Rod Pelly and Barry Tallackson.
I don’t get it.
Unless Lou is seeing something that I’m not here, (which is very possible), this could prove to be a worthless trade. But then again, the season wouldn’t be complete without the obligatory deadline-deal for a worthless defenseman! (SEE: Dan McGillis, Vlad Malakhov) This story once again begs the infamous question: What about Richard Matvichuk? I thought the guy was cleared to play and ready to go? If it’s a cap-related issue, which seems to be the deal, then why are we going after Brad Stuart and his $2.1 Million salary? As far as performance goes, Stuart has been awful this year in Beantown and I don’t have much faith that he would be able to learn the New Jersey system, not to mention excel under it.
As for the Devils end of this deal, David Hale was once a big favorite of mine, but the kid has been given more than ample time to adjust and prove himself and he just hasn’t got the job done. He seemed to be improving last season but the injuries continue to hurt his chances. I hate to say it, but I guess I could live with him wearing someone else’s colors. Pelley was solid while he was up, and Tallackson hasn’t really done much all-around. Reportedly, the offer has been turned down by Boston, who is seeking something more than what New Jersey is offering.
In a nutshell, moving Hale, Pelley, and Tallackson is not exactly a bad move, but moving them for Brad Stuart is.
Richard Matvichuk > Brad Stuart
February 10th, 2007 at 2:31 pm
It’s the NY Post. ’nuff said.
February 10th, 2007 at 2:50 pm
Leave me and my writers block alone!!
February 10th, 2007 at 4:57 pm
(=
February 10th, 2007 at 10:26 pm
Rumor is that this rumor developed from some guy on HF who always seems to hear things about the Devils that never come true. That and this originates from Mark (N)Everson.
I don’t think Matvichuk has been medically cleared to play at all. Then again, with the team playing as well as they are right now, why trade a lot of players away to stick in a well out-of-form defenseman?
February 10th, 2007 at 11:16 pm
Sorry for the back-to-back comments. According to FAN 960 (Calgary’s sports station), Brad Stuart supposedly just got traded to Calgary.
Boston Gets: Chuck Kobasew, Andrew Ference
Calgary Gets: Brad Stuart, Wayne Primeau, and a pick.
Yep. The Joe Thornton trade just got worse for Boston if Stuart garnered this deal. In any case, I doubt Stuart comes to NJ now.
February 11th, 2007 at 12:01 am
This just in from the New York Post:
Martin Brodeur traded to the New York Rangers for future considerations.
I’ve never seen this guy report a story that later became true.
February 11th, 2007 at 12:04 am
Egg-zactly.
February 11th, 2007 at 10:41 pm
Hey Aaron. What’s up? Well, this rumor I guess means zilch now that Brad got moved to Calgary.
But after reading the rumor, what exactly were you giving up? Hale has not amounted to much. Tallackson is AHL Fodder and Pelley I had never heard of until last week. Is he any good?
I don’t know what happened in Beantown but I do know that Stu is an underrated defenseman. But his asking price was out of the B’s range. Plus he’s supposed to be back on the west coast anyway.
Maybe he just needed to get out of there. That organization hasn’t exactly lit it up. That Thornton deal will go down as one of the worst of all-time.
I love that trade for Calgary. They get another puckmoving D who also can play with a snarl. If you watched the Wings game before, you know what I mean.
I honestly think Calgary will be really tough to beat in a 7-game series. But that West is very tough to call. I guess it comes down to who gets hot.
February 11th, 2007 at 10:44 pm
Hale = Devils disappointment
Tallackson = Devils disappointment
Pelley = Jury’s out. Certainly nothing to foam at the mouth over, though.
I still think Hale will be a good defenseman someday, but not with the Devils.
February 12th, 2007 at 12:49 am
Well that settles the speculation of ol Mr. Stuart! Even though it was Neverson, trade talk is always fun.. Thanks to all of you for the comments, keep em comin!!
February 12th, 2007 at 11:59 pm
What happened with Hale? I mean he had and I still think has potential to be a physical D. What’s going on?
February 18th, 2007 at 8:02 pm
richard matvichuk has been practicing with the team but he hasn’t been cleard to play by a doctor. if they clear him before the playoffs, he’s in them, but if it’s during them, he’s not. there was somthing in the bergen record about it (today’s) next to the coverage of the Devils kicking the crap outta the islanders.