Toronto, ON). Today prior to training camp opening, Toronto Wolfpack dealt steady defender and assistant captain Anton Volchenkov, Jonathan Cheechoo, and Jeremy Roenick to the New England Sharks for Tuomo Ruutu amd Ben Guite. The move provides Toronto with a top 6 forward to enter the forward mix at training camp. It also frees up significant salary cap room for additional personnel moves.
GM Thom Welch added, "this move although difficult to make gives us more flexibility to do other things. We feel we need a more mobile defense core with offensive touch. We already have stay at home defenders with Staal, Vandemeer, and Alberts so we felt this move could be done. Tuomo also is very good on the PP so that is something we are looking for from him as our PP was not a strength last year."
There appears to be a glut of forwards heading into training camp for the Wolfpack. Veteran center Mike Modano enters his 20th season in the league and rumors persist he is unhappy with the teams off season moves. Enigmatic forward Nicolai Zherdev enters the season unsigned but has indicated a 1 year deal may be forthcoming.
Many questions surround the Wolfpacks upcoming season, but one thing is for sure, much more is needed from starting goalltender Evgeni Nabakov. He is sure to not approve of the recent trade of Volchenkov, but the projected emergence of Marc Staal on the Toronto blueline should lessen his loss.
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