Day After Trade Thoughts

Well, for a team that was extremely quiet in the trade department since last season ended, the Lethbridge Hurricanes made up for a lot of that quietness over the past couple of days with two trades.

First the Canes' picked up Radim Valchar from Portland for a 6th round Bantam pick and then yesterday they pulled the trigger on an even bigger deal which certainly addresses the team's defensive issues. Kyle Beach, love him or hate him, he's now a Spokane Chief, headed back to the U.S. Division. On the way to Lethbridge are defencemen Mike Reddington and Landon Oslanski, a couple of B.C. boys. No doubt in my mind that Reddington was the big piece of this deal for the Hurricanes.

If you look at the Valchar trade, I think the Canes' got a heck of player for a 6th rounder going the other way. He should somewhat fill the offensive void left with the departure of Beach. And heck, he's excited to be in Lethbridge! I think that's half the battle when a player is happy to playing for a certain team.

As for the Beach deal, there's no doubt Kyle has had his issues on the ice, but you can't argue with what he brings offensively. He is a talent. He wouldn't be a first round NHL draft pick if he wasn't, but this is simply a case of having to give up something good to get something good in return. Reddington will no doubt bolster the Canes' young defence and Oslanski is a player that'll help out too. Good deal in my eyes.

Then there's the signing of prospect and Magrath native Mitch Maxwell. Rich Preston is very high on this kid and we`ll see what he has to offer come this weekend.

So it's pretty clear, Head Coach/G.M. Rich Preston is slowly putting his own stamp on things. Hurricanes fans I think are liking what they're seeing so far from the new guy and trust me, I don't think Mr. Preston is done yet. There's still one overage spot left on this team and don't be surprised if he tries to fill it with another defenceman.

It'll be great to see all these new faces in the Hurricanes line-up this weekend when they play in Red Deer Friday and Swift Current Saturday. Unlike at this time last year, Lethbridge has all it's players back and ready to go. No more distractions as to who is and might be coming back from pro camps. The focus now is clear for Preston's crew. That focus is on the future, not the past.

Thanks,
Pat