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The Stanley Cup won't be awarded until the late spring, but the San Jose Sharks are hoping to be there with yesterday's blockbuster trade with the Anaheim Ducks, just ahead of the season opener. According to the official word from the NAIHL, the trade went through yesterday evening and all players involved are expected to be in the respective line-ups come puck drop on the NAIHL Season.
The massive player swap went as follows, San Jose receives Olli Jokinen,Ryan Malone,Shaone Morrisonn and Daniel Carcillo. Going the other way were Michael Handzus,J.P. Dumont,Mattias Ohlund,Jeff Schultz, Prospect Cody Hodgson, a 1st and 2nd Round pick and $500K cash to help with all the hockey gear to be flown in order for the players need sent in order to arrive in time for the season start.General Manager Rob Paul made the splash, acquiring the players and was quoted as saying. "I thought in the long run that maybe Ryan and Olli were what we needed to add depth, scoring and toughness, to get to the next level." NHL Insider Darren Dreger said, "They identified a need for another top line centre , depth and some more toughness on the wing and Rob Paul wasn't afraid to pay the price to get what he thinks he needed." [The trade] is a sign of how good Paul thinks the Sharks are "I don't think I should say the number, but there were legitimate offers that went out for some wingers". They were offers out there that didn't exactly fulfill the Sharks needs. Paul was quoted as saying that many GM's are "relucatant to make such a splash and are very conservative in how they approach trades, but he said it makes for sometimes very dull conversations, and some of the asking prices were outrageous...Magnus and I identified that we are in a very competitive conference and have been close but not quite there, it was a STEP, a necessary step that both clubs needed to make, I wasn't afraid..did I give too much? I don't think so, will people say I did, sure they will, but for now, it was something management needed to do."Time will tell, but the Sharks upgrade in a couple areas which needed upgrading. The Back-end wll be tested but with stalwarts Widemand and Ballard with a bunch of young dmen will be tested for sure, Mason looks to have his work cutout for him this season, the problem won't be scoring goals, it's keeping them out.Giving up talented prospects in Schultz and Hodgson and a winger and veteran presence in Dumont and Ohlund were necessary steps both for CAP reasons as well as both had sub standard pre-seasons, on to greener pastures for all players and a fresh start for all.
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