Westgarth traded to CAR

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by daxx

This sucks for Westy. I just saw him last night at the meet the players event and he was really excited to get going with the team. He was the rep for the Kings in the negotiations and then they trade him.
Edit: I see also that he lives in North Carolina during the off season, and was practicing with some of their players during the lockout.

It just sucks.

---

I think, knowing that he wasn't going to find much if any ice time with the Kings, he will be happy with the move. Carolina is the best place in the NHL for him. He's married to Bill Cowher's daughter, so if nothing else, they will be surrounded by family.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by FlyBono24

Sucks, but that's the nature of sports. Remember these guys are getting paid ridiculous amounts for playing a game... I wish I could do that.

Same thing happened with the Lakers and Derek Fisher... he was the main NBAPA rep and as soon as the lockout ended, the Lakers were looking for guys to replace him, and he was coming off the bench for most of the season, then they traded him.

---

And Fisher was 50 years old

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by pg1067

You know who else is smart and a team player? Stephen Hawking -- who had as many goals and assists as Westgarth in 2012 and has a better +/-. He'd have been only marginally less useful to the Kings this year. The Kings gave up nothing. Worst case scenario is that Stewart turns into a nothing as well, BUT they also get a little bit of cap space in 13-14 AND two draft picks.

---

Yeah. A 4th and a 6th. Deano better start clearing cap space now for these guys.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by KRC1221

And if it doesn't work out of he is a cancer I'm sure his ass will be shipped out before the ink is dry. One guy coming from Carolina isn't going to **** up the whole team chemistry. If he doesn't fit it or is causing issues you don't think the veterans would put him in his place? Come on.

---

He is a veteran. This deal was not for a player it was for some draft choices. Dl would have never traded for him straight up. Teams have let him go for a reason. Westgarth though not playing much was always a team guy. It is good to have character guys in your locker room and it is hard to replace them. Just don't think DL pulled the wool over Rutherfords eyes.

Westgarth isn't the type of person to ever complain about his position, but this trade was done as much for him as the team. He simply wasn't going to play for the Kings. The one dimensional enforcer is soon to be extinct in the NHL. Nolan and King meant that at best Westgarth would be a healthy scratch or be sent to Manchester for playing time. In Carolina, he at least gets a chance to make their team. In return, the Kings get a player who may or may not fit in with our team. They also get two draft choices which provide future depth. Worst case, the Kings cut Stewart and they end up with draft choices. But, as a team would you rather cut a player with no real connections with your team, or a popular player. This was a best case scenario, for the Kings and for Westgarth.

I will add this, I never saw a player work harder than Westgarth to better himself as a player. Dating back to his early days at prospect camp, he was always the last person off the ice. He would stay out working on puck handling and shooting. I wish him the best, and also being a Steeler fan, his father-in-law isn't too bad in my book either.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Ice24

He is a veteran. This deal was not for a player it was for some draft choices. Dl would have never traded for him straight up. Teams have let him go for a reason. Westgarth though not playing much was always a team guy. It is good to have character guys in your locker room and it is hard to replace them. Just don't think DL pulled the wool over Rutherfords eyes.

---

I just really doubt the team chemistry is going to fall apart now b/c Kevin friggin Westgarth is gone. Maybe Stewart never plays a game for us. Oh well, Westgarth wasn't going to do anything valuable for us. What if Stewart realizes he has a great opportunity and turns it around? Its worth a shot. Picked up two picks also. I doubt DL is frothing at the mouth over the picks but he could very easily flip those for better picks or us them in another trade for something we need. We don't NEED Kevin Westgarth. Nice locker room/chemistry guy but we don't NEED him.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by KRC1221

I just really doubt the team chemistry is going to fall apart now b/c Kevin friggin Westgarth is gone. Maybe Stewart never plays a game for us. Oh well, Westgarth wasn't going to do anything valuable for us. What if Stewart realizes he has a great opportunity and turns it around? Its worth a shot. Picked up two picks also. I doubt DL is frothing at the mouth over the picks but he could very easily flip those for better picks or us them in another trade for something we need. We don't NEED Kevin Westgarth. Nice locker room/chemistry guy but we don't NEED him.

---

This was a win win for both teams. The Kings get two draft choices for a player that would not be playing for them. The Canes get rid of a troubled player and pick up a good character guy that may play a lot of minutes for them. It ends up being a good trade for both but please do not say that the Kings were the winners of this trade until at least one of the draft choices produces something. I am happy for Westgarth because he will get a chance to play with them. The two picks are needed since DL gave so many away last year.

This is a 48 game season deal that short term benefits both teams.

Carolina who needs an enforcer will benefit, long term ???. Carolina has a fortune in young talent already and 2 late round picks are expendable.

For the Kings is gives them another big body who can skate on the 4th line with Fraser and Nolan and chip in a goal or 2.


Bottom line good deal for both teams.

The fact the Kings got more than....well....NOTHING makes this a good trade.

jom

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by roenick

The great thing about this deal is Stewart is a guy with good physical ability and some decent speed and hands. He is a big upgrade over Westgarth who is completely one dimensional.

---

What dimension was that? It certainly wasn't winning fights.