Portland Platoon Acquire Patrick "Whatta" Maroon

Portland said goodbye to long time defenseman and Assistant Captain Kevin "Boom Boom" Bieksa today. Long rumoured to be on the block, Bieksa was unlikely to re-sign with the Platoon at the end of the year when he would become an Unrestricted Free Agent.  He was traded to the Denver Spurs, together with Portland's 3rd Round selection in the 2016 Draft, for hulking winger 27 year old Patrick "Whatta" Maroon.

"We felt the time was right to allow Kevin to move on and give him a chance to play for a contender. We would not have been able to keep him at years end with our budget restrictions.  We had a chance to get younger and bigger and move some salary so we took the deal. We wish Kevin all the best. He was a valuable soldier and will be missed."
                                        
"Having said that, we would like to welcome Patrick to the Platoon.  He gives us a big body that can benefit our net front presence as well as being a solid battler along the boards. He plays the type of heavy game that is so important to becoming a contender and has good hands too. We think he can develop into a solid top six performer for us."

"And we haven't had a player with such a good nickname since we lost Fedor "Rootin'" Tyutin in a deal a few years back. Now with Patrick "Whatta" Maroon, our fans will have a new poster
boy.  And unless and until Patrick Falloon's kids are drafted, Maroon is the only guy available that rhymes with Platoon."

https://youtu.be/C_Kh7nLplWo