Final Dominos Fall in Nevada

From the moment that the tires touched down on the tarmac in Las Vegas this year, the Hitmen have been on a roller-coaster ride.  It began by going after the biggest fish in free agency and it's ended with the final trade in what's been called "Operation Rebuild". 

The last cap-casualties to get shipped out of town are Rick Nash and Pascal Dupuis.  The move sheds another 3.1M$ in yearly salary. These players are now new additions off the Portland Platoon.  Both players are sure to give a nice boost to the Platoon in what is easily the most competitive HB division.  Edmonton, Winnipeg, and Vancouver all sit above Portland in the early season standings, but this trade should level out the playing field and shake things up.

In return Las Vegas received POR's 1st round pick in 2012, Lars Eller, Antti Mietinen, and Willie Mitchell.  The latter two will fill roles this season before their contracts are up for renewal. Eller will spend time on the farm before he reports for training camp next Fall.  And the 1st round pick is one of three that the Hitmen now hold in the upcoming draft. 

The future is bright, but tomorrow is another story.  This stripped down squad will have its work cut out for them this season, but now that all of the moves have been made--the distractions should be behind them...

..and this is a team that needs all the stability it can get when one considers the city they are playing in.  The average age on the team is 27 and rumors surfaced earlier this week that off-ice diversions were affecting the team on the ice.  GM Bobby Brooks wasn't available for comment on the matter.