Williams dealt in 3 way trade
The Detroit Red Wings have finally participated in a trade before the deadline and word has it that there is more to come on the Wings’ front.
Details of three way trade…
1) Jason Williams sent to the Chicago Blackhawks
2) A draft pick and Lasse Kukkonen were sent to the Philadelphia Flyers
3) Kyle Calder sent to Detroit (after being traded to Chicago first)
Williams seems genuinely happy about being traded away giving him a fresh slate with a new team in Chicago. Apparently, the Chicago GM has wanted Willy since last summer.
“Any time you can be a part of an original six team it’s special. Chicago is making strides in the right direction. I’m looking forward to coming to Chicago and in being a major factor on the team. I’m happy to be going to a team that wants me and I’m looking forward to helping the Blackhawks,†said Williams.
Calder’s contract expires this offseason so there really isn’t much of a downside for him since he wasn’t doing well with Philly and now he’s on a team with a good shot in the playoffs.
“I’m just going to go there and work hard, be gritty and play my style,” Calder said.
“It definitely hasn’t been the best year ever,” Calder said. “You’ve got to look at the bigger picture, I guess. They’re a good team. I think it’s a great opportunity for me.”
…
“He’s had a tough season, but he’s a proven NHL player,” Babcock said in an interview with The Associated Press on Monday night after the team landed in Chicago for a game against the Blackhawks on Tuesday. “He works, works and works and he’ll make us a harder team to play against.”
My immediate reaction? I don’t really know much about Kyle Calder, but it seems to me that he’s had an off season (and playing for Philly could do that to you). I like Jason Williams, the person. Not such a fan of Willy, the player. Just getting rid of Williams and his salary ($1.6 million) made me happy.
GM Ken Holland believes that Calder will add some grit to the team.
Calder has nine goals and 12 assists and is a minus-31 in 59 games this season, but general manager Ken Holland said scout Mark Howe, who lives in Philadelphia and has seen Calder play often, convinced the Wings Calder could be helpful.
“He chases the puck, he’s a forechecker,” Holland said Monday evening. “Come playoff time, that’s an ingredient you need. He’s not pretty, but he’s a gritty, greasy type of player.”
Holland said Calder will debut on a line with Robert Lang, whose line with Dan Cleary and Williams had produced almost no scoring for the past month.
Although Calder’s salary for this season is $2.95 million and obviously the Wings won’t cover most of that under the cap, but I wonder what impact that may have in trying to make another deal before the deadline tomorrow at 3pm.
Other people’s reactions…
Spector, the trade genius, has this to say about the trade:
The Wings have been seeking a scoring winger since losing Brendan Shanahan to free agency last summer, but parting with Williams for Calder comes as a surprise.
Like Calder, Williams has struggled offensively this season and has been considered trade bait for some time, but no one could’ve predicted he’d be dealt for a fellow underachiever.
Wings GM Ken Holland is obviously gambling that Calder’s woeful stats this season are a result of playing for a terrible team, believing that he’ll regain his scoring touch with the talented Red Wings.
The odds are at least in Calder’s favor. It remains to be seen, however, if Williams can regain his scoring touch, going from a Cup contender to an also-ran in Chicago.
This move likely takes the Wings out of the running for St. Louis Blues forward Bill Guerin.
IwoCPO at Abel to Yzerman posted his initial reactions to the three way trade:
By now you know Kenny Holland has made his first move of the final 24, moving Jason Williams to Chicago, getting Kyle Calder from Philly in the process. I need a bit to digest this one, so I’ll have something more later tonite. I do think this is the tip of the Holland iceberg though. I think at least one more deal’s in store, of a bigger variety.
James Mirtle discusses the differences between Williams and Calder and also adds that he believes the Wings have another trade up their sleeve:
Calder’s an extremely hardworking, checking type who has decent hands and doesn’t shy away from the front of the next. Williams, meanwhile, struggled last season in the playoffs and is a much more inconsistent and finesse type than Calder.
The Red Wings have been talking about adding jam for the postseason all year long, and this move helps in that regard. (The word is also that Detroit is closing in on getting Bill Guerin.)
Matt at On the Wings offers up his reaction as well:
Okay, the more I read about Calder, the better I feel about him. The general concensus seems to be that he’s a good player who’s just having a bad year. And if he’s a grittier player than Williams with a strong work ethic and good hands, I’m thinking he’ll fit the Wings’ need pretty well. Of course, we’ll have to see how he gels with the team, but I’m optimistic.
…
It’s strange that Williams is no longer a Red Wing. It had to be awkward tonight when he got the call in Chicago. It will be strange if he’s on the ice tomorrow night for the Hawks, that’s for sure.
Well, I’m going to be in Chicago tomorrow night for the game so I will try to get a good photo of Willy in a Blackhawks jersey assuming he plays in tomorrow’s game…
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