Another 2-for-1 trade has sent a star forward out of Stockholm. Rick Nash has been traded to Madrid for Jeff Carter and young Ryan Johansen in a deal that also involves an exchange of draft picks. A day earlier, the Eagles acquired James Van Riemsdyk and Marcus Johansson from Moscow for Dustin Brown.
That means in about a 26-hour period, Stockholm has gained two former Philadelphia Flyers forwards and two Johansens (same sound at least). They are said to have their sights on more Johansons, especially Calle and Scarlet.
In Spain, the sharpshooter Nash will receive passes from Joe Pavelski at center, Gabriel Landeskog on the left wing, and slick defenseman Erik Karlsson. Pavelski has been one of the EURO League’s best players, scoring 46 goals in each of the first two seasons while hovering around the 100-point line, and Landeskog has averaged 29 goals and 76 points in his two seasons.
Nash has had deft passers working with him the past, namely a guy named Crosby in Belfast. After a forgettable first year in the league, Nash started busting out in Belfast last season, recording 33 goals, and he’s getting better. The 29-year-old was scoring more than a point per game with Stockholm this season. But don’t feel too bad for Belfast. One of the players they received in the off season in the Nash deal, Mikko Lehtonen, has 8 goals for the Giants this season.
Monday’s trade left a hole on the left side of Madrid’s second line, and Daniel Cleary has already been told to be ready to play there with Jordan Staal and R.J. Umberger. Cleary had been a fourth-liner. The result is more ice time for Brandon Prust, called up to take Cleary’s old spot.
In Stockholm, newcomers Carter and Van Riemsdyk will be able to prove their mettle on the top line, with Mike Richards as their center. But Richards’ play has been called into question lately by GM Michael Sauer. The center might have some opened suitcases on the bed just in case. Will Sauer give Carter and Richards a chance to rekindle the chemistry they once showed in Philly? It might depend on if there are more Johansons out there to be had.
Ryan Johansen is slotted for fourth line duty with another 21-year-old, Marcus Foligno, and center Craig Smith. In the sudden shakeup, former Trident Benn Ferriero seems to have fallen down to the farm club in Malmo.
Sauer seems to be in a mood. According to Eklund at hockeybuzz.com, who was actually half right in predicting today’s trade (he said either Madrid or Milan for Nash), Sauer is considering moving the first-round pick he just obtained from Madrid for blueline or goaltending help. And venerable Shane Doan, whose leadership qualities are legendary, could also be traded. If that’s true, Sauer might have some splainin’ to do to Stockholm fans.
Stockholm is currently last in the league, five points behind Belfast. They host Dublin on Wednesday before setting off on a road trip to Oslo, Belfast and St. Petersburg.
