(Boston,MA) The New England Sharks lost both Centerman Andy McDonald and Defenceman Joni Pitkanen in the expansion draft today. Both players were selected by the Philadelphia Bulls and will join their new team immediately. The Sharks received $3.5 Million in compensation for Pitkanen and $2.4 Million for McDonald. Minutes after the expansion draft, the Sharks acquired defenceman Sheldon Souray from expansion Winnipeg Bison (which had selected him from the Saskatoon Bears) for just $2 Million.
"We’re very pleased with the outcome of the expansion draft, said Sharks GM Robert Dumont, we unloaded $8 Million in salary, received $5.9 Million in compensation and gave up only $2 Million for an all-star defenceman in Sheldon Souray. With Souray, Tomas Kaberle and Sergei Gonchar, our powerplay will be incredibly potent".
Souray is in the final year of 3 year, $15 Million contract he signed with Saskatoon back in 2004. Last season, he scored 54 points in 84 games. In 351 career games with Detroit and Saskatoon, the physical and punishing blueliner has 187 points.
"It’s very exciting to go to a cup contender, explains Souray, it’s been an roller coaster hour for me, getting picked up by an expansion team and then traded to a cup contender a few minutes later. I’m looking forward to it". Souray is now re-united with former Bears mate Evgeni Nabokov.
-Netcam Neely
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