Yahoo is reporting that the Stars have traded for Brad Richards from Tampa Bay. The claim is that they’re trading goalie Mike Smith, defensive forward Jeff Halpern, and rookie defenseman Mark Fistric. All players I don’t think we can spare.
Who’s going to back up Marty now, when we head into the playoffs? An AHL goalie that’s played one NHL game? Who’s going to lead the checking lines against the top forwards and keep the penalty kill at the top of the league? Who’s going to step in for any injured defensemen during the playoffs?
And who’s Brad Richards going to play with? He’ll have a month to build chemistry with the forwards from scratch. Chemistry that the team has been building all season. Chemistry that will be altered by tossing another center into the mix, when we’re already overflowing with centers. Chemistry that will be altered when all the lines have to be rearranged. Chemistry that will be altered by a guy that is a minus-25 this season and a career minus-55. For what? 20 goals?
Hagman’s 20 goals aren’t good enough? Or Lehtinen’s? If he hadn’t been injured, he probably would be pushing 30 goals by now.
I guess being 2nd in the West in goals scored is not the same as being “able to score.” I guess being second in the league in the standings, and in winning percentage, is pointless without a famous scoring winger. Even though he’s (a) not that good a scorer, and (b) not a winger, and (c) makes almost EIGHT MILLION DOLLARS PER YEAR! For three more years!
They couldn’t even wait until the big Guerin-contract mistake was off the books before they started a new one.
Let’s imagine for a second, what this new contract will mean if the unforeseen (not by me) happens and Richards sucks and we’re kicked out of the playoffs again because we have no backup goaltender or enough checking forwards or enough line chemistry and then Richards turns in another year next year like the one he’s having now. Hmm. That couldn’t happen, right?
Doesn’t Big Trade Deadline Deal mean instant success? Let’s ask Nashville about their trade for Forsberg last season, or the Thrashers about their trade for Tkachuk, of all people. Hm. They didn’t win the Cup, you say? Somebody that essentially stood pat won it all last season? How strange.
Let’s imagine for a second, what this new contract will mean if the unforeseen (not by me) happens and Richards sucks and we’re kicked out of the playoffs again because we have no backup goaltender or enough checking forwards or enough line chemistry and then Richards turns in another year next year like the one he’s having now. Hmm. That couldn’t happen, right?
My biggest nightmare is that Marty will get injured just before playoffs. WHO IS GOING TO PLAY? Not that I don’t think Stephan is great, because I do, but Mike Smith is a more solid backup for Marty. I know he wasn’t going to stay here forever, but this is the worst idea ever. People saying “oh, it’s a great trade, Dallas is getting the better end of the deal” are starting to PISS ME OFF, too. Shut your mouth, we’re giving up an amazing backup goaltender, a solid face-off defensive forward, and a young shut-down defenseman that has played remarkably well in his time at the NHL level.
I hate Brett Hull.
Wow, this is the first I heard this.
Brad Richards is money. I like it. There are only so many years left for Stu to get his name on the Cup, and this might be it.
I understand your frustrations, but Brad Richards is money.
Go Stars! For Stuuuuuuuuuuuu…
I just want to keep Fishsticks. I’m sorry, I can’t look at the bigger picture here, I’m petty and silly and focused on, “I really like him! He’s a good guy! Don’t trade him!”
If Fistric is really going…this day sucks.
We did it! Fishsticks stays!
Smith, Jussi, and Halpern. Great deal.
Stuuuuuu!!!
We did it! Fishsticks stays!
YESSSSSS!
Patty, did you see Heika’s latest stating Boucher will be starting tonight? That is one positive for today! Of course, then there is the reason for him starting tonight–Grossman took a puck to the face in practice. What are these guys doing in practice lately, first Morrow, now Grossman?
My first Trade Deadline felt pretty brutal/major headache/ grinding of teeth. This really is a tough business. How do you sleep at night after sending three guys you supposedly like and respect to Tampa Bay?
Congrats on the New York Times. I’ve really enjoyed your blog as well as all the other lady bloggers–Untypical Girls & IPB, etc. Nice to know I’m not alone in my hockey obsessiveness. All my friends say the same thing. “Really, you like hockey?!?”
Thanks, Myra!
It was a very tense Trade Day. I really railed against the trade, but I might have to take some of it back later. In fact, I hope I do, but we’ll see.
Still hate to see players I love traded away, and this season I love them all.
Also, very excited about Bouche starting tonight!
And fullbody, I’m also glad Fistric stays. I think he’s going to be good for a long time. When defensemen are already good at his age (and the same goes for Grossman and Niskanen), it usually means they’ll be even better at the age most hit their stride. If that makes any sense.