Toronto, ON). Toronto Wolfpack made a major trade today at the 1/4 mark of the season. Toronto dealt star center Brad Richards, rugged winger Scott Hartnell, Jerod Smithson, and Phillipe Boucher and a #2 pick to Winnipeg for defensive defenseman Fedor Tyutin, forwards Alex Burrows, Ryan Callahan, and defender Noah Welch. This large exchange of bodies was a shock to Pack Nation, however there is more to the deal than personnel exchange. Toronto unloaded some major 3-year contracts in the deal and picked up some needed youth to continue the Tom Welch management style of competing while also rebuilding.
Welch said, " this deal saves the team financially and allows us flexibility in future years. Brad and Scott are great players, but were not in our plans long term. Scott has great hands, but his tendency to pick up bad penalties at key points in the game, drove our coaching staff haywire. We feel Zetty and Mattie can fill in as our 1 and 2 centers. It will allow them and others more ice time, and allow Nash more time in special teams. Tyutin is a fine young defender, and Burrows projects long term as premier checking forward with scoring upside.
Lombardi projects as a number 2 center now for the Pack. Whether he or Malhotra can provide enough passing skill for the position only time will tell. Toronto is sure to monitor the situation closely and if need be address deficiencies closer to the trade deadline.
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