Two teams in dire need of a shakeup have done just that, as the Calgary Flames have shipped defenceman Dion Phaneuf, forward Fredrik Sjostrom, and defenceman Keith Aulie to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for forwards Matt Stajan, Niklas Hagman, Jamal Mayers and defenceman Ian White.
The Maple Leafs and Flames have been working on the components of this blockbuster for a week to ten days, but sources say the details of the deal didn't fall into place until late last night.
The Flames were mired in its worst slump (0-6-3) since an 11-game losing streak in 1986 before getting on the winning side of the tracks on Saturday night with a 6-1 victory over the Edmonton Oilers in the Battle of Alberta.
The Maple Leafs are coming off a dramatic loss to the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday evening, giving up a three-goal first period lead before falling 5-3. With the loss, coupled with Carolina's 4-2 victory over Chicago, Toronto now sits 29th in the NHL standings.
The Hurricanes and Leafs are tied in points with 45 but Carolina is ahead because of more wins.
Mayers had expressed interest in being traded earlier in January. He had two goals, six assists and 78 penalty minutes over his 44 games with the Maple Leafs this season. White had nine goals, 17 assists and a plus-1 rating over his 56 games.
Sjostrom has played 46 games with one goal and five assists for Calgary this season. Aulie was drafted in the fourth round, 116th overall of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.
i like phaneuf..and he will help. The Flames have been looking to get rid of him all year...maybe a change of scenery will help. The flames win this trade right now...we will see in the future how it pans out.
he makes too much money though, like all of your defence:p
Schadenfreude
ps you still need to score goals to win:p
gummybear
My husband is dancing around the house and I can hear "yipeee" being screamed every few seconds...:D
urban_legend
Plus, Toronto FAN radio's Howard Berger is reporting that the Leafs have sent goalie Vesa Toskala to the Anaheim Ducks for J.S. Giguere and a 1st round pick.
Originally posted by urban_legend
Plus, Toronto FAN radio's Howard Berger is reporting that the Leafs have sent goalie Vesa Toskala to the Anaheim Ducks for J.S. Giguere and a 1st round pick.
