Biggest moves of the off-season: Part 2
Paul Martin, Defenseman, New Jersey to Pittsburgh Teams hoping to woo Martin didn’t have much time to prepare as the Penguins inked their new defensemen within 24 hours. Martin will fill Gonchars void in the Pittsburgh D, giving the team some fresh legs down the stretch.Keith Ballard, Defenseman, Florida to Vancouver With arguably the league’s best goalie Roberto Luongo in net, the Canucks could probably hold fan try outs for their defensemen slots and still remain competitive at least through a period or two. Fortunately for Canucks fans, Luongo’s job just got a little easier when Vancouver acquired Keith Ballard in a draft day trade from the Panthers. Ballard has led his team in hits every year in his NHL career and should be a three pronged contributor for his new team, offense, defense and intimidation.Nathan Horton, Right Wing, Florida to Boston The former 3rd overall pick in the 2003 draft has developed into a more than serviceable NHL winger, however, he has yet to fully tap out his hockey potential. Horton may finally have landed in a situation where he can take that next step and move into the upper echelon of skaters in the league. There will be less pressure in Boston, not to mention a winning attitude, with plenty of players to carry the load and less team success depending directly on Horton’s play.Jiri Hudler, Right Wing, KHL to Red Wings What the league lost in Nabakov, it reclaimed in Hudler, though that will be of little consolation to Sharks fans. This may be the most underrated acquisition of the off-season, as many NHL fans may have forgotten about Hudler in his brief stint overseas. Still only 26, the last time we saw Hudler don a Red Wings uniform he tallied 23 goals and 34 assists. One year matured, those totals should only trend upwards when he makes his prodigal return.
