Post-Trade Deadline...Hurricanes This Week

Well, we are finally back home for a little bit.

The Canes' arrived back in Lethbridge early Saturday morning after an all night trip from Saskatoon. Yesterday was a busy day for Rich Preston working the phones right up to literally the last minute to see what was out there. In the end, he dealt Luca Sbisa to Portland for a draft pick and a 1st round import draft selection and in return getting a defenceman, a Euro forward, and 1st round import draft pick. I talked to Preston last night after the deadline. He said it was hectic right up to the last minute, but feels the Hurricanes got back very good value for Luca Sbisa. Preston says given the fact he wouldn't be back until late February from the Olympics, dealing him was the best scenario for Lethbridge. I would certainly have to agree with him on that. Really, could Luca help this Hurricanes team anymore than he already has? I don't think so. Sbisa will go down as probably one the best to play in a Hurricanes uniform and will be missed, but I truly feel, and think the coaching staff and management do as well, that for the long term this deal makes the Hurricanes a better team. In return, they get a couple of players that will be here for a few seasons to come. Sbisa will be with Portland only for a short period. I like this deal for the Canes' and it seems like it works for both teams.

As for Brent Henke, he gets a shot to play for a good organization in Vancouver. The Giants stocked up yesterday too with a big trade involving Edmonton. From what I understand, Henke was the kind of player Vancouver was looking for and the Hurricanes received a 5th rounder in 2011 in return. Preston indicated to me that he was close to having another deal done, but couldn't get it finished in time and the newer look Hurricanes will hit the ice this Wednesday in Swift Current.

Change of Plans for McDermott

It looks like the Hurricanes are losing another defenceman, not because of injury. Rich Preston told me last evening that Drew McDermott, who they acquired a few days ago from Everett has decided to go back to Yorkton of the SJHL because of family reasons. McDermott will remain on the Hurricanes list. It's too bad I suppose. He looked pretty good in the two games he played for the Canes' in P.A. and Saskatoon on the weekend. Certainly not news Preston was expecting to hear, after justing trading for his rights last Thursday.

Obviously Carter Bancks was not dealt away and will finish his junior career as a Hurricane. The Captain of this team has played with Lethbridge from the start and that's the way it'll finish for him too. Whether the Canes' were trying to move him or not, Preston didn't say. I'm sure he's happy Bancks will be here for the rest of the season. Something tells me Bancks himself had a lot of say as to whether he stayed in Lethbridge or got traded.

Hurricanes This Week

Our Hurricanes talk show resumes tonight on CJOC at 6pm (MT). You can also catch slow over the internet by listening to our live stream at http://www.cjocfm.com/. Tonight we will be LIVE again from the Sharkclub on Mayor Magrath Drive and we have lots to talk about on this program and for that we've called back our Hurricanes Media Roundtable. Paul Kingsmith from Global TV and Dylan Purcell from the Lethbridge Herald will join myself and Fred Jack to go over the Hurricanes did and din't do at the trade deadline. If you you an e-mail comment or question please send them to hurricanes@pttwireless.ca and we'll take a few calls as well.


Thanks,
Pat