Today's deal sees Lethbridge trade 18 year old forward Carter Ashton, 19 year old forward Craig Orfino, and their 2010 3rd round bantam pick to Regina in exchange for 17 year old forward Graham Hood, 15 year old forward Taylor Balog, Regina's 2010 2nd round bantam pick, and Regina's 2011 first round bantam pick.
First reaction here is whoa, Regina gave up a lot of their future to get Ashton. They are gambling big time that Ashton returns to the WHL next year as a 19 year old instead of sticking in the NHL, because if they only get a half-year out of Ashton, they get hosed in this trade by giving up a first and three 2nd round picks (Hood and Balog were 2nd rounders in 2007 and 2009) for a half year of Ashton plus a year and a half from Orfino.
I think the deal also sends a pretty strong signal to the rest of the league that Regina is not going to be sellers at this year's trade deadline. In other words, you can trash-can any and all rumours of Jordan Eberle or Colten Teubert being traded anywhere. If anything, Regina plans to load up and try to make a run for it this year by adding Ashton to an already potent offensive lineup.
It's also clear that Lethbridge is throwing in the towel on the season. They are 12 points out of the playoffs and clearly don't think they can make up the gap. Which means rumours about the rest of Lethbridge's veterans - most notably defenceman Luca Sbisa - will only intensify from here on.
It's going to get interesting....Regina just struck the first blow in the battle to improve their team leading up to the deadline. Who's going to follow their lead now?
4 comments:
On the face of this deal it would appear to be a stupid one for Regina. Being from Regina I can tell you the overall depth here is not good enough to challenge this year, even with the two new players. That is UNLESS Parker makes a couple more trades and he just may do that. I think he seen what an average Kelowna team did after making several moves last year. He has however really sacrificed the future so if this doesn't work out, big backlash. It also begs the question; if he is selling off so much future, is he planning to be a part of it?
I didn't think 15 and 16 year olds could be traded - obviously I was mistaken. Was that ever a WHL rule Alan?
I was under the impression that ROSTER players who were still in high school needed to approve trades, because of the impact on their schooling.
Non-roster players, such as Balog, wouldn't have any restrictions on them because a trade of their WHL rights doesn't affect their schooling or where they are playing this year.
So if I'm right, the only player in this deal who needed to approve it is Hood, who would still be in high school.
Thanks Alan, that makes sense. IMO a reasonable move by Parker if (big if)Ashton comes back next year. If not, he sold the farm to be, at best, the third best team in the Eastern Division this year. I could see Saskatoon or Brandon making this deal - Regina not so much. Would Brandon have given up a prospect (like a Klarc Wilson) and a couple high picks to bolster their chances at winning the Mem Cup?
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