Post by Detroit GM on Aug 2, 2007 7:19:11 GMT -5
It was speculated that the Detroit Red Wings were seeking a deal that would land them a starting goaltender with the potential for a long-term committment. Many sources indicated that GM Mark Stefenelli was prepared to move Dominik Hasek, one of the game's most entertaining faces, in a deal that would bring in said goaltender. As a result it wasn't so surprising to hear the news that Hasek was traded earlier today.
It was however shocking for Martin Biron, who recently signed a multi-year deal with the Flyers, to find out that he had been traded. Biron, a very poised goaltender with tenacity, agility, and a healthy dose of cockiness, joins the Detroit roster with no shortage of pleasure even still.
"I signed with the Flyers because I want to play in Philly. You can't imagine what a shock it was to find out I was traded. I think it will take a little while for me to recover from the betrayal to be honest, but on the bright side I couldn't have been traded to a better club. The Red Wings are a very proud organization with consistant asperation to win it all, and they have the core team to go all the way. I guess there isn't another team in the league that could soften the blow of being traded without so much as a conversation. It will take some time...but I think I will be very happy as a Red Wing." Martin Biron
Biron is expected to start for the Wings with capable backup Chris Osgood as a partner. Both tenders have proven they can produce so the Wings look very strong in the net for the coming season.
"We are very pleased with our situation between the pipes. This is the most comfortable I have felt with the team since taking a management position to be honest. I believe that successful teams are built from the back forward and it was vitally important to me that we had a goaltender we could rely on for at least a couple years. I am fully confident in what Martin brings to the ice each game and I know he can bring us as far as we intend to go." GM Stefenelli
Also coming to Detroit as part of this deal are Jason Smith and Braydon Coburn.
Smith joins an already formidable defensive core and brings a wealth of experience, hockey sense, and gritty determination to the team. He, like fellow newcomer Adam Foote, is a former NHL captain with great defensive ability and a take-no-prisoners approach to the game. By adding both these defenders the Red Wings have rounded out one of the best bluelines in the whole of the NFHL and should easily be one of the toughest teams in the league to score on.
"Jason is another great defender and we are very proud to have him as part of this hockey club. He's a tireless workhorse and the type of guy that I know will sweat and bleed for this team. I think we have the best defensive core in the league and I am really looking forward to seeing how they come together for us. Now with Biron and this d-core we can focus on filling the last hole before the start of the season." GM Stefenelli
We believe that the Wings will be pursuing a free agent RW to fill the void left by Tomas Holmstrom. Teemu Selanne must be at the top of the list and the Wings certainly have the cap room to put in a healthy bid. We'll keep you posted as more of this story is available.
I hope we're still friends