Blazers Acquire JT Barnett From Giants

The Kamloops Blazers General Manager, Craig Bonner, announced that the hockey club has acquired 1992 born forward JT Barnett from the Vancouver Giants in exchange for a 2nd round pick in the 2011 WHL Bantam Draft.

The 6’1” 195lb forward has played the past two seasons with the Giants. The Scottsdale, AZ native played in 71 games last season and scored 21 goals and added 17 assists for 38 points. In his two WHL seasons, Barnett has played 109 games.

“We’re excited to add a player of JT’s calibre to our line-up,” Bonner stated. “JT scored 21 times last season and will add size and skill to our group of forwards.”

Barnett attended the Minnesota Wild’s development camp earlier this month. He has since been invited to their rookie camp in September.

“This transaction will give us more depth in the ‘92 age group, and we expect JT to contribute immediately to the success of our team,” Bonner concluded.

http://www.whl.ca/blazers-acquire-jt...giants-p143462

Scott Bonner said, "JT had a great year last season with our club, however over the last 3 or 4 seasons we've traded away quite a few draft choices in an effort to make a run and sooner or later this will catch up to you, so we had the chance to acquire a high pick and decided to take advantage of that!". Bonner added, "We think this deal, combined with last year’s Tucker deal will cover us for the 1st round choice we had to move to acquire David Musil last season, as we now head into the 2011 draft with four 2nd round selections."

what they don't say is that most of his goals came in the first two months when he was playing on the top line. When he was shifted down the line-up he became very inconsistent. JT has never been a Hay kind of player, but he does have some skills and a good nose around the net.

He's not one to drive the net or go to the tough areas of the ice consistently and needs quality players around him to bring his best game to the ice. There's definitely some skill there, but the situation seems to have to be just right for JT -- maybe a new season with a new team will re-energize him and allow him to rediscover his scoring game.

I still think his upside warrants more than a second round pick though. Me-thinks Craig knows far too much about Scott's team and the inner workings. Scott seems to be getting regularly worked by his little bro in negotiations.