Kariya traded to Alberta

(CP) Calgary, Alberta
The all time scoring leader in the history of the HBMHL, winger Paul Kariya, has been traded from the metropolitan confines of Toronto to the wide open spaces of Alberta. Coming with Kariya is backup netminder Peter Budaj and two 2nd round '09 draft picks in exchange for wingers Zherdev and Dvorak along with netminder Marty Turco.
While Kariya is in the twilight of his career, he should fit right in with the other greybeards on the Alberta Rams. It is hoped he will prove to be a catalyst on the port side of the 2nd line playing with winger Alexei Kovalev and center Jason Arnott. This trade will move Brendan Morrison to the 3rd line center position with Andy McDonald dropping to the 4th line and the 2nd pk unit. With the trade of Zherdev, Jiri Novotny will now see starting time at 3rd line RW. Novotny has played well in spot duty notching 6 goals and 7 points in 14gp with a +4 rate. Hopefully full time play will see him provide even more scoring punch. With a first line of Cullen-Kovalchuk-Hossa and a second line of Arnott-Kariya-Kovalev, the Rams hope to wrest the Canada West Division crown from the rival Vancouver Jackals.
That's not to say there won't be line shuffling if the 'chemistry' isn't there.
The last 28 games of the regular season should be a barnburner in the Canada West Division race.