pontcanna
01-03-2012, 01:38 AM
Sundher trade talk builds
WHL deadline looms
BY MARIO ANNICCHIARICO, TIMES COLONIST JANUARY 2, 2012 11:10 PM
Kevin Sundher’s days as a member of the Victoria Royals could be numbered as speculation grows that he may be one of the bigger names dealt, just one week away from the Western Hockey League trade deadline.
According to various reports around the league, no fewer than nine teams have expressed interest in acquiring the top-10 scorer including Portland, Tri City, Kamloops, Vancouver, Edmonton, Brandon, Moose Jaw, Kootenay and Medicine Hat — contenders looking to bolster their lineups.
A pair of executives, on the condition of anonymity, confirmed interest in the third-round draft pick of the Buffalo Sabres, who just signed a pro contract last month and is expected to play pro next year.
That means Sundher wouldn’t be around for the Royals, who would be best served to gain something in return, rather than lose him all together for the 2012-13 season.
“We have a plan, we talked about it from the day the franchise moved here. We’re not changing that plan,” stressed Royals general manager and head coach Marc Habscheid, referring to his young group.
“We know the strength is in our future and we have to nurture this group along. If we can help ourselves now and, more importantly, in the future, we’re going to look at it.”
Which sounds ominous for a 19-year-old, like Sundher.
“No option is off the table,” said Habscheid. “Is Kevin going to be back next year? Probably not. So all cards and options are on the table. We want to be better now and, more importantly, we want to be better in the future.”
Sources say Habscheid is looking for a prospect now and a high bantam draft pick for the future.
“He’s a pretty good player, one of the top forwards in the league, so if you’re going to get a player like that we have to get something in return,” added Habscheid, who confirmed he’s had calls about Sundher and others. “We’ll see. It takes a partner to dance with.
“No trade is better than a bad trade,” Habscheid then stressed, although his message was intended to be far more reaching. “We’re not going to make a trade just to make a trade.”
As for Sundher, who has 22 goals and 60 points in 37 games, there isn’t much he can say at this point.
“This is where I am right now. I’m happy to be here and I’m hoping to be here,” he said of the rumours. “That’s all I can worry about day to day, and hoping I’m with this team and working hard every single day.”
WHL deadline looms
BY MARIO ANNICCHIARICO, TIMES COLONIST JANUARY 2, 2012 11:10 PM
Kevin Sundher’s days as a member of the Victoria Royals could be numbered as speculation grows that he may be one of the bigger names dealt, just one week away from the Western Hockey League trade deadline.
According to various reports around the league, no fewer than nine teams have expressed interest in acquiring the top-10 scorer including Portland, Tri City, Kamloops, Vancouver, Edmonton, Brandon, Moose Jaw, Kootenay and Medicine Hat — contenders looking to bolster their lineups.
A pair of executives, on the condition of anonymity, confirmed interest in the third-round draft pick of the Buffalo Sabres, who just signed a pro contract last month and is expected to play pro next year.
That means Sundher wouldn’t be around for the Royals, who would be best served to gain something in return, rather than lose him all together for the 2012-13 season.
“We have a plan, we talked about it from the day the franchise moved here. We’re not changing that plan,” stressed Royals general manager and head coach Marc Habscheid, referring to his young group.
“We know the strength is in our future and we have to nurture this group along. If we can help ourselves now and, more importantly, in the future, we’re going to look at it.”
Which sounds ominous for a 19-year-old, like Sundher.
“No option is off the table,” said Habscheid. “Is Kevin going to be back next year? Probably not. So all cards and options are on the table. We want to be better now and, more importantly, we want to be better in the future.”
Sources say Habscheid is looking for a prospect now and a high bantam draft pick for the future.
“He’s a pretty good player, one of the top forwards in the league, so if you’re going to get a player like that we have to get something in return,” added Habscheid, who confirmed he’s had calls about Sundher and others. “We’ll see. It takes a partner to dance with.
“No trade is better than a bad trade,” Habscheid then stressed, although his message was intended to be far more reaching. “We’re not going to make a trade just to make a trade.”
As for Sundher, who has 22 goals and 60 points in 37 games, there isn’t much he can say at this point.
“This is where I am right now. I’m happy to be here and I’m hoping to be here,” he said of the rumours. “That’s all I can worry about day to day, and hoping I’m with this team and working hard every single day.”