Other Fallouts from the Trade Deadline … Atlanta to Winnipeg, not now

Mark Easson

15 years ago

Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: Some league executives aren’t happy with the Coyotes adding salary at the deadline, since they are still losing money, and the other owers are fitting the bill. They added more than $2.5 million in salary, and are losing $5 million a month.

“You know where that money comes from?” one furious league executive asked. “It comes out of the owners’ pockets and they aren’t going to be happy with this because they’re already not happy with having to foot the bill for Phoenix in the first place.”

“I just don’t understand this,” said the executive. “I guess the belief is if the Coyotes can make a long playoff run, then they’ll be able to recoup some of the money for the NHL.”

Ted Wyman of the Winnipeg Sun: About the rumors of the Atlanta Thrashers being moved to Winnipeg, Wyman has this to say “Get a grip, Winnipeg.” There hasn`t been a credible source to back up the rumor.

Pat Hickey of the Montreal Gazette: The Canadiens decided to keep both Jaroslav Halak and Carey Price at the deadline.” Gainey was a strong Carey Price supporter, but when Gauthier and head coach Jacques Martin say the Canadiens need two goaltenders down the stretch, they’re really saying they need Jaroslav Halak.” The Canadiens shopped Paul Mara around but didn’t find any takers.

Erik Erlendsson of the Tampa Tribune: Lightning GM Brian Lawton, “We were in on one big blockbuster deal that would ultimately have robbed us of our future, and we made the determination that we are going to remain disciplined and that we were not going to overpay things. And that was the theme for the day, lots of quantity, not quality.”

John Glennon of the Tennessean: The Predators were in on Alexei Ponikarovsky, with what they considered a very good offer. (Brian Burke did say received an offer of a 2nd and 4th round pick, but didn’t name the team.)

Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution: The Thrashers tried to grant Slava Kozlov’s request of being traded, but was unable to find a playoff contender who wanted him. They never received an offer for him.