The Lethbridge Hurricanes remained quiet as the WHL's trade deadline came and went on Tuesday afternoon.
A day after he sent Cam Braes to Moose Jaw for a 1st round pick in 2012 and a second rounder in 2013, Head Coach and G.M. Rich Preston decided to stick with the team he has for the rest of the season, electing not to make any furthur moves. He met the Lethbridge media shortly after the deadline passed and had this to say:
"Well, I wouldn't say we stood pat. Nothing really appealed to the organization. You don't make a deal for the sake of making a deal. We've still got a lot of young players on our team and we need leadership. A lot of teams are vulchers trying to pick over and steal players and that wasn't going to happen. I'm not disappointed. Monday was a tough day, trading Cam, but I think we got a real good return. You look at our team, we have a pretty good and competitive team. You take one guy out of the line up (Braes) and that means some other guys are going to get more ice time, so that will be good for them. We have 12 healthy forwards. We can't just simply keeping dealing for draft picks, we have to bring players in. We still have 28 games to play and we have to be competitive. Like I said before, I'm not going to trade players just to trade them. That doesn't make any sense. You need leadership, you have to win games and that's the way we look at it. When it comes to trading 20 year olds, a lot of teams are happy with what they have and it's pretty limited to how many teams are actually interested. There was definitely interest (in Brody Sutter), but it's pretty tough to trade both Brody and Cam, our top two centremen. You take those guys out and we have two 16 year old and two 17 year old centremen to play 28 games in this league. That's tough. There had to be a deal that made sense, there wasn't one. We would've had to bring in a player and it would've had to be a pretty good player as well. It could just be a pick in return. There was nothing for us to jump up and down about."
Thanks,
Pat
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I wonder if Brody Sutter is going to be a top center when he publicly stated he wanted a trade and doesn't want to be here....young guys need leaders who provide good examples....
ReplyDeleteGood job Rich. Our core is built. As Fred mentioned last evening. We can use our numerous picks gained to acquire players in the off season (bargaining chips). The last thing this team needs is to give the farm away and hinder the development of our youth. My wish list is to draft an elite goal tender prospect with that Moose Jaw late first rounder. It is time we stabilize that position with youth not 20 year olds.
ReplyDeleteI dont understand why they could not have picked up a 20 year old forward from say Red Deer who is an assistant coach or Portland who waived a 20 year old...would have cost nothing and helped for the rest of the year. 12 forwards is not enough if injuries set in
ReplyDeleteI can understand why Sutter wanted to leave and I am sure he will work hard but I hope they give the Captaincy to someone like Johnston who is a good leader and will be here next year...
ReplyDeleteI often wonder what the exact conversation was with Kingsmith. There maybe differing meanings in how Kingsmith may have interepreted Sutter's comments. Remember Kingsmith is in the media and the media's job is to sell.
ReplyDeleteI would have liked to hear both sides of the conversation and then make up my own mind as to what Sutter said and meant
I was hoping the Canes would do more deals today and maybe get a player or two back. I agree with you Anon @ 7:09 that 12 forwards is not enough if injuries set in. I doubt Sutter was the only player who wanted to be traded (who wouldn't want to be after a year like the Canes have had so far). Maybe he was the only Cane to be asked about it in an interview today. I think Sutter, Johnston and other vets will work hard and lead the team regardless of whether or not they want to be in Lethbridge. It is overall a great group of core guys and upcoming prospects. Looking forward to listening to the upcoming road games.
ReplyDeleteI saw the Sutter interview on Global...said he asked for a trade, was disappointed but would work hard. Probably not the most politically correct thing to say but Sutter's rarely are politically correct. All these veterans are trying to get to the next level so will work hard on the ice. Having siad that probably best for the team to name a captain who will be here next year.
ReplyDeleteNew captain should be Johnson. Would give him half year to get feet wet and then next year to shine.
ReplyDeleteHe works hard and looks like he might deserve it.
Yes it is in the best interest to name a captain that will be and Wants to be on this team next year. Very poor on Sutters part to say what he did. Very happy for Cam and whole heartedly wish he makes it to the big show. I can almost guarantee that Cam would not have said what Brody did (if in the same situation). That news is not what a leader of the team would release. Very disappointed as I am sure his teammates are as well.
ReplyDeleteso another trade deadline one veteran gone and another season with no playoffs, but wait...next year for sure..
ReplyDeleteHow Can you guys say that about Sutter? He has played here and been on a non-playoff team now for 3 years, its his last year of junior hockey, i dont blame him for asking for a trade. Also Sutter is not the type of kid to just say something like that, i have a hunch thats not his whole answer. I can respect a kid that tells the truth though and admits, that ya he did want to get moved. You can clearly tell in his interviews that he doesnt really know how to say what he is feeling. We will never know if Cam would have said what Brdoy did.
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Why wouldn't Sutter want a trade? He's trying to play for a contract with Carolina and it will be much more difficult to achieve playing in Lethbridge. There will be much more pressure on him now that Braes is gone. At least we know he will still be playing hard and giving it his best like everyone in the Sutter family does and has done.
ReplyDeleteCompletely agree with Anon 11:04 and Anon 11:14. Who wouldn't want to be traded after a year like this? The media is definitely known to skew things so I wouldn't look into the interview too much. Sutter will work hard to lead the team - I wouldn't be surprised if he is named captain, as he should be. He has excellent character. I saw him in an aircast at Safeway before the Christmas break. If playing hurt isn't character, I am not sure what else you all expect from the kid? Sutter is looking out for his own future just as Braes was looking out for his future. Did anyone ask Braes if he asked to be traded? I highly doubt Sutter isn't the only 20 year old (or vet for that matter) who wanted a chance at the playoffs.
ReplyDeleteThis is a Sutter/Maxwell town. My guess is Sutter Captain for the remainder of the year and Maxwell next year. I noticed when Ryckman left instead of making Johnston and Hood full time alternate captains instead of a home/away split as they were, they left Johnston/Hood as is and made 17 year old Maxwell a full time alternate captain....that is the way things roll here....
ReplyDeleteWell said Anon 11:40. Sutter is a great choice for captain. I too would be interested to know what other players asked for a trade. As much as we all loved and will miss Braes, I highly suspect that he asked for a trade as well. He would have been crazy not to trying to get an nhl contract and all! No one wants to play on a team that consistently misses the playoffs!
ReplyDeleteIt's pretty tough to trade Brody and Cam??? In a season going no where you might as well get something back for both of your 20 year olds! I understand why Sutter says it is bittersweet! Bitter to not make the playoffs yet again and Sweet to get to stay with the teammates he has played most of his junior career with!
ReplyDeleteWith Brody playing for a contract with Carolina, as I believe they have to sign him by July 1st, he hopefully finishs off the year determined. At the end of the season he likely will be invited down to a tryout contract to finish the year with the Charlotte Checkers (Carolina's farm club) of the AHL. This is where Brody will have likely the best opportunity to ink a contract with Carolina.
ReplyDeleteBrody is going to do well in the pros and will always work hard....Canes need to focus on ensuring that the young guys really improve in the next 28 games to set themselves up for a great start next year.
ReplyDeleteRP makes sense, he trades cam away because he gets the best return for that player. once he fills the draft picks up the only other option is to try to trade the rest of our asset for players that can help out this team now, if the offers arnt there keep what you have and move on..as for sutter if your trade didn't equal or better a good return too bad, you are here for the long haul..plain and simple the canes come first, and if you put yourself above them its your problem.
ReplyDeleteDo any of you guys actually watch any of the games. I have said it before Sutter is the biggest floater on the team! As far as I am concerned they could have traded him for any other player. Maxwell has finally started to play a little better but they could have traded him to. AJ
ReplyDeleteHey anon 7:25. What games do you watch? Do you even know what hockey is? Sutter is the best player on the team. And I am sure the best player on the team is not a floater. Everyone always says about all of the Sutters that they've only made it because of their name, but high level teams don't just pick players because of a name unless they have something to back it up with. Just because you are jealous of Sutter doesn't mean he is a floater. Give your head a shake!
ReplyDeleteThis for all the Sutter lovers watch the way he plays other than getting points. I would be very suprised if his career goes any further
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