nivek_wahs
08-04-2006, 04:25 PM
from tsn.ca
Hawks trade Calder and his contract
TSN.ca Staff
8/4/2006 6:01:58 PM
Just days after accepting an arbitrator's decision on winger Kyle Calder, the Chicago Blackhawks traded him and his $2.95 million contract to the Philadelphia Flyers.
In return, Chicago received centre Michael Handzus, who is slated to make $2.128 million this season.
"In Michal Handzus, we were able to acquire a big, strong center who is an excellent two-way player," said Blackhawks General Manager Dale Tallon. "We felt we needed a big centerman to play against other big centers in the Western Conference.
"We also feel that Michal is a guy who will be able to get the puck to Martin Havlat. We feel that a line of Martin Havlat, Michal Handzus, and Tuomo Ruttu is a pretty good line.
"In the off-season we identified the center position as one we needed to strengthen and we feel we have addressed that need."
Handzus, 29, is 6-foot-five and 217 pounds. Last season, he played in 73 games for Philadelphia, scoring 11 goals and 33 assists. Handzus was the leading face-off man for the Flyers, winning 53.2% of his draws to rank 18th in the NHL.
Handzus has scored 20 or more goals three times in his NHL career, including a career-high 25 goals in the 1999-2000 season with St. Louis.
The Flyers were a good match for Chicago in making a deal since they have depth up the middle. The emergence of youngsters Mike Richards and Jeff Carter made Handzus expendable, while the health problems facing Keith Primeau had the Flyers looking for help on the wings.
Calder, 27, was the Blackhawks' 7th choice (130th overall) in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft. Last season, he played in 79 games and scored 26 goals and 33 assists - all career highs.
Hawks trade Calder and his contract
TSN.ca Staff
8/4/2006 6:01:58 PM
Just days after accepting an arbitrator's decision on winger Kyle Calder, the Chicago Blackhawks traded him and his $2.95 million contract to the Philadelphia Flyers.
In return, Chicago received centre Michael Handzus, who is slated to make $2.128 million this season.
"In Michal Handzus, we were able to acquire a big, strong center who is an excellent two-way player," said Blackhawks General Manager Dale Tallon. "We felt we needed a big centerman to play against other big centers in the Western Conference.
"We also feel that Michal is a guy who will be able to get the puck to Martin Havlat. We feel that a line of Martin Havlat, Michal Handzus, and Tuomo Ruttu is a pretty good line.
"In the off-season we identified the center position as one we needed to strengthen and we feel we have addressed that need."
Handzus, 29, is 6-foot-five and 217 pounds. Last season, he played in 73 games for Philadelphia, scoring 11 goals and 33 assists. Handzus was the leading face-off man for the Flyers, winning 53.2% of his draws to rank 18th in the NHL.
Handzus has scored 20 or more goals three times in his NHL career, including a career-high 25 goals in the 1999-2000 season with St. Louis.
The Flyers were a good match for Chicago in making a deal since they have depth up the middle. The emergence of youngsters Mike Richards and Jeff Carter made Handzus expendable, while the health problems facing Keith Primeau had the Flyers looking for help on the wings.
Calder, 27, was the Blackhawks' 7th choice (130th overall) in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft. Last season, he played in 79 games and scored 26 goals and 33 assists - all career highs.