Chicago Trades Smolinski to Vancouver for Second Rounder

[Snipes19]

Vancouver, B.C. - Vancouver Canucks Senior Vice-President and General Manager Dave Nonis announced today that centre Bryan Smolinski has been acquired from the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for a 2007 second round draft pick.

Smolinski, 35, joins the Canucks from Chicago, having played in 62 games and recorded 37 points (14-23-37) and plus ten in 2006-07. The 14-year NHL veteran has career totals of 619 points (262-357-619) in 972 games played with six different teams. In his NHL career, Smolinski has registered three career hat tricks and has recorded three game-winning goals this season. The centre has appeared in 99 NHL playoff games, tallying 45 points (20-25-45). He also has international experience, having played for USA’s World Junior (1991), World Cup (1997 and 2004) and World Championship (1999) teams.

The 6’1”, 208 pound native of Toledo, Ohio was originally drafted by the Boston Bruins, 21st overall, in the 1990 NHL Entry Draft.

[vandymeer13]

This is a good trade for the HAwks. Because he's in the last year of his contract and wants to re-sign next year with the hawks. And since not a lot of people really want to be a hawk with are horrible owner this is a good sign.

[Isles4life]

Vancouver could use the added offense. Nice pickup I think.

[JKidd]

In addition Vancouver added veteran centre Bryan Smolinski from the Chicago Blackhawks for a conditional 2nd round pick.

via TSN

The ****ing Nucks have added some veteran leadership, firepower and skill in Sopel and Smolinski in the past hour.

[Blouin]

if true, good pickup for the run. Picks for immediate players always seem to favor the team getting the player recently

[puffed up]

Sopel's a nice pickup. But Smolinski is not a playoff performer. He'll disappear once the checking gets tight and intense!!

[canuckfan]

Smolinski will add some much needed depth and another scoring threat up the middle, especially since Kesler is lost for the year after having hip surgery and Chouinard has been one big bust.

I like it. I don't like trading away all these high draft picks, but maybe Nonis can dish off Bulis for a second or third rounder as well. You never know, the sooner the deadline approaches teams in search of a little extra firepower may be willing to cough up something like that for a fast winger with a scoring touch.

[bengino]

i think that having acquired Smoke was a good move, seeing as he was sought after by some teams (there were rumors of him going to MTL) this market is extremely unbalanced this year.

[johano90]

Good pickup by the Nucks. Good thing that they stocked up on all those 2nd rounders I guess, came in handy tonight. I guess this about calls it quits for any rumours that Gelinas might be heading to Vancouver, I think they have about $4 left after tonight.

[JKidd]

Originally Posted by canuckfan

Smolinski will add some much needed depth and another scoring threat up the middle, especially since Kesler is lost for the year after having hip surgery and Chouinard has been one big bust.

I like it. I don't like trading away all these high draft picks, but maybe Nonis can dish off Bulis for a second or third rounder as well. You never know, the sooner the deadline approaches teams in search of a little extra firepower may be willing to cough up something like that for a fast winger with a scoring touch.

coughitoldyousocough.

[HordiBrusk29]

Originally Posted by canuckfan

especially since Kesler is lost for the year after having hip surgery

Not necessarily. Apparently the word now is Kesler could return in time for the playoffs. At least that's what I heard on the radio earlier today.

[probertisachamp]

i thinks its a good pick up for vancouver

[canuckfan]

Originally Posted by HordiBrusk29

Not necessarily. Apparently the word now is Kesler could return in time for the playoffs. At least that's what I heard on the radio earlier today.

I've heard that too, but seeing how long it took Morrison to shake off the effects of his hip surgery, I'm not holding my breath that Kesler will be back in time to be an effective force in the playoffs.