Canes trade Ponikarovsky for Defenseman Joe Sova...

[KillerKat]

RALEIGH, NC – Jim Rutherford, President and General Manager of the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that the team has acquired defenseman Joe Sova and New Jersey’s 2012 fourth-round draft pick from the Devils in exchange for forward Alexei Ponikarovsky.

http://hurricanes.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=612843

This is a surprise. Terrible move.

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

Nah, this is a great move. It's a salary dump. We were paying him too much to play on our fourth line. It's a sign that we are getting younger. On top of that LaRose is coming back soon and we have some really solid, young, players that are already on the roster like Zac Dalpe and Jerome Samson then guys on the Checkers roster like Evgenii Dadonov, Brett Sutter, Zach Boychuk, Riley Nash, and Drayson Bowman. This team has a very bright future.

[Panther_mountain]

Nah, this is a great move. It's a salary dump. We were paying him too much to play on our fourth line. It's a sign that we are getting younger. On top of that LaRose is coming back soon and we have some really solid, young, players that are already on the roster like Zac Dalpe and Jerome Samson then guys on the Checkers roster like Evgenii Dadonov, Brett Sutter, Zach Boychuk, Riley Nash, and Drayson Bowman. This team has a very bright future.

This. We are getting a 23 yr old defenseman and a draft pick. We are in the NHL cellar and will not be making the playoffs. Poni was 31 and here on a 1 yr contract. This was great value.

Get ready for more "dumping" by Rutherford...

[Stumpy]

I'm meh on this... We were paying him too much, but Ponyboy was one of the few guys on this team that has talent AND heart.

We have tons of guys with talent (Jussi, Joni Staal, Ward) and plenty of guys with heart (Dalpe, Samson, Gleason) but very few with both. (Skinner, Faulk, Larose Sutter)

[lightsout]

I hate losing Pony...and I really really want to be mad at this move...but it is a smart one. Good dump salary wise and I think we came out on top here. Pony only has a few more solid years anyway before he starts to decline. Just going to miss the effort he skated with, as compared to the other guys. He was definitely a spark on this team. Hopefully he made an impact and some of the young guys learned from him.

Next year, we BETTER make the playoffs. It will be tough with the new conference, but we're competitive with all of the teams in it, and with our talent on this team, anything less than playoffs is a disappointment. Hopefully Ward finishes the year strong and carries it over to next year. Need him to get back to being arguably the best goalie in the league instead of this mediocre, inconsistent "thing" he has been this season.

[KillerKat]

realignment isn't happening

[lightsout]

Really? What the hell did I miss?

EDIT: Just read the realignment thread. Never mind. Very happy about that.

[KillerKat]

players association shut it down

[RedMage138]

Yeah, this wasn't a bad move. Everyone should be prepared to see some of their favorite players leave the team this season.

All of our prime aged guys and vets should be on the block besides Staal. Dwyer, Jussi, Larose, Ruutu, Allen, Gleason, Harrison and Pitkanen could all be moved for picks and young guys.

This is not a 1 year re-build, there's no chance we make the playoffs with the roster we have so it is time to blow it all up. The Canes will be in the basement for a few years but hopefully can acquire some young talent to get back to the playoffs in the future.

[jb_online]

At first, it was a head scratcher... but I get it know. It's a shame because Poni was starting to really fit with the team, in Muller's system. But he's off to the greener pastures of New Jersey. On second thought, I feel sorry for him.

Personally, I'd keep Harrison (cheap and devoted) and Pitkanen (took a pay cut to stay - our top dman) as well as either Gleason or Allen (need grit). I'd try to keep Jokinen (need his versatility), but probably trade Ruutu (has good value and contract is up). I'd love to keep Dwyer (again, versatile and cheap)... probably wouldn't get much for him anyway.

I wouldn't be surprised if three of the guys you mentioned are traded. But the number one rule of making a better team is you don't replace someone unless you have someone better ready to take that position.

[The Other Colbert]

I liked Poni a lot, he always came to play hard every game. That being said, it was a smart move by JR to rid himself of that contract.