Hockey Fan Forums banner

No-brainer: B’s trade makes great sense

833 views 0 replies 1 participant last post by  panoo 
#1 ·
By MIKE LOFTUS
The Patriot Ledger


BOSTON - It makes so much sense, there almost has to be a catch.

The Boston Bruins obtained a proven, experienced NHL goalie yesterday. They didn’t part with any proven, experienced NHL players to obtain that goalie, whose contract happens to run out at about the time their projected goalie of the future is ready to make an impact. And they may be able to get something for one of their two existing, less proven goalies - probably the younger one, who could be some other NHL team’s goalie of the future.

So, what possible problem could there be in acquiring Manny Fernandez from Minnesota for Petr Kalus - a solid but not necessarily spectacular prospect - plus a fourth-round pick in the 2009 draft?

There’s that knee injury that pretty much put Fernadez out of action after January. Even though he was scheduled this week to be medically cleared by Wild doctors to resume play, there’s something a little unsettling about hearing a player say he sprained a knee ligament, and then ‘‘tore it three more times.’’

There’s that $4.33 million salary cap figure this year and next, which may knock Boston out of the running for any current free agents of significance.

There’s the thought that Fernandez, 32, has been so insulated by Minnesota coach Jacques Lemaire’s defense-themed system, he may not be as good as his statistics.

Risk, of course, is part of every trade, but there’s so much logic built into this deal that general manager Peter Chiarelli couldn’t pass it up.

He keeps whatever veteran, be it goal-scoring winger Glen Murray or defensive specialist P-J Axelsson (the names most often mentioned when the teams talked trade a week before actually trading), either to use them in the coming season or use them in other deals. He gets a goalie with a better track record than the two he already had, as well as a guy eager for a fresh start after feeling pushed out of the picture in St. Paul. And down the line, he’ll probably avoid the ticklish situation of having too much young talent at the same position at the same time.

In saying, during a conference call yesterday, that ‘‘if it’s (Fernandez) and Tim who are pushing each other’’ for playing time next season, Chiarelli all but confirmed that Hannu Toivonen is on the trading block, and that Fernandez and incumbent Tim Thomas are his goalies until 20-year-old Tuukka Rask matures. The GM added that, ‘‘in fairness ...it would be my preference’’ to move a goalie out of the organization before the season begins.

Toivonen, who progressed for three straight years until this past, miserable season, is only 23, has great tools and would likely fetch more in a deal than Thomas, who is 33 and better suited to what’s in store: Whether he plays 65 games - which last season proved to be too many - or 25, Thomas will block out any and all outside issues and channel every bit of energy and equipment at his disposal to blocking pucks. Not that Toivonen didn’t try last year - he did - but he’s a little on the solemn side, and was clearly unable to overcome the crisis of confidence that resulted in ex-coach Dave Lewis’ unforgiving response to his below-expectation performances.

Fernandez, who has played all six of the Wild’s seasons, has not posted a goals-against average above last year’s 2.55 or a saves percentage below last year’s .911 for the last four years. That makes last year, when he went 22-16-1 before his injury, an off-year. It’s also spectacular compared to most seasons turned in by Boston goalies in this decade.

Coupled with Boston’s other major off-season transaction - dismissing Lewis and hiring Claude Julien - the Bruins should end up with a better goalie, playing in a system that’s better for goalies.

‘‘(Julien) looks like a guy who takes pride in his defense, and in guys playing sound defensively,’’ Fernandez said.

There’s actually some question as to how often Fernandez can play effectively. He essentially rotated for his first four seasons in Minnesota, first with Jamie McLennan, then with Dwayne Roloson until the latter, headed for unrestricted free agency, was traded near the end of 2005-2006. With the No. 1 job all to himself, Fernandez scored a career-high 30 wins, with a 2.29 goals-against average and .919 saves percentage. Though his numbers weren’t quite so strong last season, Fernandez would probably still be in Minnesota if Nicklas Backstrom (1.97 GAA) hadn’t been so spectacular after Fernandez got hurt.

FULL STORY
 
See less See more
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top