FDC, i am relaxed(probably too much sometimes, must be the ganja) not really upset over the trade just sorry to see nieuwendyk go, a quality quality individual. you have to realize i am from texas(not born here but raised) and 27 so i just began getting into hockey a few years back. needless to say i was watching joe when i knew absolutely nothing about the game(sometimes i still think i know nothing, you guys might agree). my thoughts on the trade are very similar to an article i just read in dallasnews(hope you dont think i agree with everything local media says) but here i think this is true:
this might be too long to read but wtf, texas, you wont mind...
here it is:from dallasnews.com
"Nieuwendyk, 35, has been one of the team's most productive offensive players and proudest leaders. Because of his outstanding play and his importance to team chemistry, both new coach Rick Wilson and old coach Ken Hitchcock had trouble demoting Nieuwendyk to the third-line center spot. That meant Dallas could never solve the juggling act of having three No. 1 centers.
Thus, the thinking both inside the Stars and out, was that Nieuwendyk needed to be moved to open up room for Pierre Turgeon, who was signed as a free agent in the summer. The Stars couldn't move Turgeon, because he has a long-term contract and a no-trade clause. They couldn't move Mike Modano, because he's the best player on the team and also has a no-trade clause.
So Nieuwendyk had to go. It was the only move that made sense. But what made sense was trading Nieuwendyk for a scoring winger ? or at least for a viable commodity that could be flipped for a scoring winger.
Now the Stars are saying that they want to sign Arnott to a long-term contract in the summer (he's a restricted free agent) and keep him as part of their push to get younger and bigger. That's fine, but it had better be as a younger, bigger right winger.
Dallas cannot afford to mess around anymore with this three-center deal. Turgeon has been a huge disappointment as he has struggled to find the right role and the right linemates. Modano has struggled in the past month as he has been shuttled from line to line and position to position. It doesn't work. You know it. I know it. The Stars know it. They just won't admit it.
So here comes Arnott, who has seen the greatest success in his career as the No. 1 center between Patrik Elias and Petr Sykora in New Jersey. He is a decent goal-scorer, a decent set-up man and a physical presence. But is he a bona fide scorer from the wing, where he must become comfortable playing?
We'll have to see. He had 33 goals in his first season in Edmonton on the right wing, but he's been closer to a 25-goal guy since.
The Stars want to play Arnott with Modano, then let the two players sort out who plays center and who plays right wing. With Brenden Morrow on the left side, that line would have a physical edge the Stars have lacked.
The second line would then consist of Turgeon, Jere Lehtinen and possibly Brent Gilchrist, Scott Pellerin or Pat Verbeek (who as a right winger would, of course, be playing out of position).
The third line would probably still be led by Kirk Muller, John MacLean and one of the three left wingers. And the fourth line would become the property of Manny Malhotra ? the 6-2, 210-pound prospect the Stars acquired last week. In fact, Stars management said one of the great side effects of the trade is that it should open up space for Malhotra to play more at his natural position ? center.
To that, we reply, "Huh?"
Look, Arnott makes the Stars younger (he's 27 and Nieuwendyk is 35) and bigger (he's 6-4, 225 and Nieuwendyk is 6-1, 205). If Armstrong was just taking advantage of an opportunity to acquire an asset, then Arnott is a smart move.
But if management entertains any notion that this trade makes the team better right now or that this somehow solves the mess at center ice, it is sadly mistaken.""
it will be interesting to see if this team can handle all the changes and somehow get into the playoffs, right now, i doubt it. i realize this was more of a trade down the line for dallas so time will only tell. dont anticipate mckay staying after this yr, but i never thought much of Langenbrutal anyway....
good job tex, 2-1 tonight!!
