Saturday, October 08, 2005
Bye Bye Fed Fed
The Vancouver Canucks traded Fedor Fedorov to the New York Rangers for Jozef Balej and a conditional draft pick. Balej's scouting report:
This is an excellent trade for the Canucks. Most Canucks fans were resigned to receiving a low or conditional draft pick in return for Fedorov. But they not only received that draft pick, they also acquired a prospect - one with considerable upside at that - for him. Balej was recently considered one of the top players in the AHL. In 2003/2004, he scored 55 points in 58 games in the AHL and was chosen to represent Planet USA in the all-star game. The Rangers thought highly enough of him to acquire him when Montreal traded for Alexei Kovalev. Balej is expected to report to the Manitoba Moose this weekend.
Assets: Possesses an excellent scoring touch and a deceptive shot. Usually pots goal-scorers' goals because he knows where to position himself. Is very accurate.Despite an up-and-down preseason, Fedorov was unwilling to accept the Canucks' two-way contract offer. (Funny that he is being assigned by the Rangers to the AHL's Hartford Wolfpack.) He feels he belongs in the bigs, but was unable to prove so on a consistent basis. This trade might give him the fresh start he needs, especially as he is going to a rebuilding Rangers organization that doesn't have as much depth up front as the Canucks.
Flaws: Is slight in stature and will need to increase his strength to better handle NHL defenders. Must work on his play without the puck.
Career potential: Second line winger.
This is an excellent trade for the Canucks. Most Canucks fans were resigned to receiving a low or conditional draft pick in return for Fedorov. But they not only received that draft pick, they also acquired a prospect - one with considerable upside at that - for him. Balej was recently considered one of the top players in the AHL. In 2003/2004, he scored 55 points in 58 games in the AHL and was chosen to represent Planet USA in the all-star game. The Rangers thought highly enough of him to acquire him when Montreal traded for Alexei Kovalev. Balej is expected to report to the Manitoba Moose this weekend.
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