Post by Matt - Caps on Jul 6, 2009 2:42:58 GMT -5
The Washington Capitals made possibly the biggest trade in franchise history today to obtain goalie Roberto Luongo.
However, the league's most wanted goalie came at a high price as offensive stars Alexander Semin and Mike Green were sent packing to the rebuilding Canucks.
"We wanted to make a big splash and have the best offensive player with the league's best goalie," said General Manager Matt Adams. "It's almost like we've brought back the Jagr/Kolzig days and has the organization very excited."
The full details of the deal look like this:
To the Capitals:
G - Roberto Luongo
RW - Pavol Demitra
D - Kevin Bieksa
G - Jason Labarbara
To the Canucks:
G - Simeon Varlamov
D - Mike Green
LW - Alexander Semin
G - Jose Theodore
This may seem like a bold move for the Capitals as they send two of their top scorers out of town just as they were hitting their stride, but Adams was confident in reassuring fans that he has a plan.
"Our biggest problem was solidfying a top goaltender in our organization," said Adams. "I believe the compromizes we've made today are well worth getting more than just a starter, but the BEST starter in the league!"
This trade marks the third time Luongo has been traded, after the New York Rangers traded Luongo and C Olli Jokinen to Florida for W Mark Parrish and C Oleg Kvasha on June 24, 2000. He spent the next six years in Florida where he earned the reputation of being one of the best netminders in the league.
However, after several disappointing seasons in the sunshine state, Luongo demanded he be traded and got his wish as the Panthers traded him with D Lukas Krajicek and a 6th to the Vancouver Canucks for G Alexander Auld, highly controversial winger Todd Bertuzzi and D Bryan Allen.
"I wish my time in Vancouver were more productive and that I could've given the cup back to Canada," said Luongo. "I'm happy to be going to Washington though...with Alex Ovechkin and Tomas Kaberle infront of me I feel like I've got a good shot at the cup."
The Capitals currently sit in 8th position in the Eastern Conference with several teams chasing them for the spot, but it is too early in the season to tell if the trade will skyrocket the Caps up the standings or cripple them.
For GCHL News in Washington I'm Matt Adams.
However, the league's most wanted goalie came at a high price as offensive stars Alexander Semin and Mike Green were sent packing to the rebuilding Canucks.
"We wanted to make a big splash and have the best offensive player with the league's best goalie," said General Manager Matt Adams. "It's almost like we've brought back the Jagr/Kolzig days and has the organization very excited."
The full details of the deal look like this:
To the Capitals:
G - Roberto Luongo
RW - Pavol Demitra
D - Kevin Bieksa
G - Jason Labarbara
To the Canucks:
G - Simeon Varlamov
D - Mike Green
LW - Alexander Semin
G - Jose Theodore
This may seem like a bold move for the Capitals as they send two of their top scorers out of town just as they were hitting their stride, but Adams was confident in reassuring fans that he has a plan.
"Our biggest problem was solidfying a top goaltender in our organization," said Adams. "I believe the compromizes we've made today are well worth getting more than just a starter, but the BEST starter in the league!"
This trade marks the third time Luongo has been traded, after the New York Rangers traded Luongo and C Olli Jokinen to Florida for W Mark Parrish and C Oleg Kvasha on June 24, 2000. He spent the next six years in Florida where he earned the reputation of being one of the best netminders in the league.
However, after several disappointing seasons in the sunshine state, Luongo demanded he be traded and got his wish as the Panthers traded him with D Lukas Krajicek and a 6th to the Vancouver Canucks for G Alexander Auld, highly controversial winger Todd Bertuzzi and D Bryan Allen.
"I wish my time in Vancouver were more productive and that I could've given the cup back to Canada," said Luongo. "I'm happy to be going to Washington though...with Alex Ovechkin and Tomas Kaberle infront of me I feel like I've got a good shot at the cup."
The Capitals currently sit in 8th position in the Eastern Conference with several teams chasing them for the spot, but it is too early in the season to tell if the trade will skyrocket the Caps up the standings or cripple them.
For GCHL News in Washington I'm Matt Adams.
