Ottawa- It was reported only a few days ago that Ryan Kesler was put on the block to bring in a top pick for the up coming draft and it didn't take long for several GM's to jump at the chance at bringing in a future Selke winner, but it became fairly clear to the Senators management team that only one team could offer what they were looking for and that was the Atlanta Thrashers and after a tough morning of negotiations both teams got what they were looking for.
The deal sees Kesler, Kevin Bieksa, and Alex Edler head to the Thrashers, while Pavel Kubina, Nashville's first round pick (currently 2nd OV) Florida's 3rd and Atlanta's 5th round pick are heading back to the Sens.
"Moving Kesler, Bieksa and Edler was very difficult and we had to put a lot of thought into it, but at the end of the day it was a move we felt would benefit the team in the long run," said the GM, "this pick could possibly give us the 1st OV pick in the draft and the chance to bring in a franchise player."
It is rumoured that Ottawa has there eye on picking up a forward that they can build there team around but with defenseman taking up most of the top 5 projected spots that could lead to the Sens trading down at the draft if projected top pick Steve Stamkos isnt around when they make there selection.
"It is way too early to make those kinds of predictions, we dont even know where we will pick, we just feel we have put ourselves in the best position possible to acquire a prospect that we can build our team around and add to some of the solid prospects we already have in our system" added the GM. It is expected that Ottawa will still continue to shop several of there veteran defenseman as they hope to acquire more picks and prospects in hopes of securing a bright future and several Stanley Cups down the road.
-- Edited by Sens at 12:21, 2009-01-16
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Season 5 BRHL 1 Champion Season 1 BRHL Euro Champion Season 1 BRHL Juniors Champion
