By Tim Campbell
Are the Manitoba Moose better after the NHL's trade deadline than before it?
Yes, but not because of any trades.
Their parent team, the Vancouver Canucks, made just one minor deal involving an exchange of forwards with Washington, so there was no organizational address-switching of any Moose players. The Canucks did assign defenceman Luc Bourdon to Manitoba, but that was merely because the NHL team is returning to health on the blue-line. Vancouver also recalled forward Rick Rypien on Tuesday, but only because forward Byron Ritchie has a sore back and forward Jeff Cowan is suspended for one game.
Bourdon's addition is timely, since Moose defenceman Zack FitzGerald is out at least six weeks because of a broken jaw -- that takes matters to the end of the 80-game regular season -- and the team was down to just six healthy defenders, two of whom have spent more time this season in the ECHL than the AHL.
"We are better because of (Bourdon's) move, so it's a positive," Moose GM Craig Heisinger said late Tuesday afternoon. That said, Heisinger said the he'll still be angling to improve his team -- now second in the North Division heading for tonight's home game with Hershey -- before Thursday's AHL deadline for submitting playoff rosters. He doesn't have a blank cheque or a magic wand, but Moose governor Mark Chipman said Tuesday the franchise will spend money to improve the team if it's possible.
"Every year you try to do something to try to improve your team," Heisinger said. "We've tried to improve since the start of the year."
Even though their need is greatest on the back end -- anyone out there got an experienced, skilled defenceman? -- the GM said quality players will always be coveted. And he has flexibility this season, unlike last, currently with fewer veterans than the five per game allowed.
"That gives you more options but it's not saying we'll add one," Heisinger said. "We've always had veterans, sometimes too many in the past, but the best player available isn't always a veteran."
Bourdon's presence this week, and likely Vancouver forward Mason Raymond's briefly on paper, allows the Moose to place both players on their playoff roster ahead of Thursday's AHL deadline. That could be an important development because the Canucks appear to be anything but a lock for the Stanley Cup playoffs, even though they are riding a four-game winning streak and are currently on the right side of the line.
Vancouver's deadline-day deal, acquiring forward Matt Pettinger from Washington for forward Matt Cooke was far less than what was being speculated.
Much of the conjecture included the liberal airing of the name of Moose rookie goalie Cory Schneider.
The former first-round draft pick admitted later Tuesday that he had found some stress in that during the last week, but that it's simply all part of a pro player's job.
"I guess with Vancouver having Roberto Luongo, that makes me a moveable asset, but it's something you can't really control, a business decision," Schneider said. "Now I can just worry about the playoff drive and continuing to develop."
Schneider said players do have their transaction antennae up more than usual during the days leading to the trade deadline.
"We had most of the TVs in the locker-room on today," he said. "These things can have a big effect on us and our futures, even trickle-down effects, and we're interested. But if you let this stuff get in your head, it can cause problems. It comes with the job, so you can't complain."
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About the Bears: 31-19-1-5, second in East Division. First meeting this season with the Moose. Hershey boasts three scorers with at least 18 goals (the Moose have none) in Kyle Wilson, Grant Potulny and Chris Bourque. The Bears have remained in contention in the Eastern Conference despite the Nov. 22 promotion of Bruce Boudreau as head coach of the NHL's Washington Capitals. Promoted Hershey assistant Bob Woods has taken over. "The one thing that impresses me most is that they lost their head coach and they've got a new staff that's come in and done a good job," said Moose coach Scott Arniel. "They are offensively explosive and will probably come in here and try to make sure they throw everything at us. It's another big test for us.
About the Moose: 31-23-2-2, second in North Division. Moose return home for four games (in five nights) coming off a road trip in which they posted three victories in four outings. G Drew MacIntyre was the AHL's player of the week last week after allowing just three goals in three games and getting credit for the winning overtime goal last Wednesday in Chicago. He has 21 wins this season. Manitoba lost F Rick Rypien to recall to Vancouver on Tuesday, but were assigned D Luc Bourdon. That gives the Moose seven healthy blue-liners even with the long-term injuries to Zack FitzGerald (jaw) and Jimmy Sharrow (shoulder).
-- Campbell
