Coyotes Acquire Geoff Sanderson in Five Player Trade

[VodkaFish]

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - Phoenix Coyotes General Manager Michael Barnett announced today that the Coyotes have acquired left wing Geoff Sanderson and right wing Tim Jackman from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for left wing Jason Chimera, defenseman Cale Hulse and center Mike Rupp.

The 33-year-old Sanderson is in his 15th NHL season, having played in 930 career NHL games with Hartford, Carolina, Vancouver, Buffalo and Columbus. The 6-foot-0, 190-pound forward has collected 316 goals, 296 assists, 612 points and 393 penalty minutes (PIM) in his NHL career. In 55 career NHL playoff games, he has recorded 9-10-19 and 32 PIM. Sanderson is a two-time NHL All-Star (1994 and 1997), has scored at least 30 goals in a season six times and has reached the 40-goal plateau twice.

“We are optimistic that Geoff will thrive under the new NHL rules,” said Barnett. “He is renowned for his speed and has demonstrated throughout his career that he can find the net.”

This season, Sanderson has played in 2 games with Columbus, recording 7 shots on goal. In 2003-04, he split the season between Columbus and Vancouver, collecting 16-20-36, 6 power play goals and 38 PIM in 80 games. Sanderson also played in 7 playoff games with Vancouver, tallying 1-1-2.

Two seasons ago (2002-03), Sanderson collected 34 goals, 33 assists, 67 points and 15 power play goals in 82 games with Columbus while accumulating 18:44 of average ice time per game. His best season came in 1992-93 when Sanderson registered 46 goals, 21 power play goals and 89 points in 82 games with Hartford. The following season, the Hay River, Northwest Territories native recorded 41 goals, 15 power play goals and 67 points in 82 games with Hartford in 1993-94.

Sanderson was originally drafted by Hartford in the 2nd round (36th overall) in the 1990 NHL Entry Draft. He helped Buffalo reach the Stanley Cup Finals in 1999, recording 4-6-10 in 19 games. In 1997, he finished as the second fastest skater in the NHL Skills Competition at the NHL All-Star Game. Sanderson has represented Team Canada three times at the World Championships (1993, 1994 and 1997) and twice won the gold medal (1994 and 1997).

Jackman has played in 19 NHL games in his career, all with Columbus in 2003-04 when he registered 1-2-3 and 16 PIM while averaging 9:56 of ice time per game in five different stints with the Blue Jackets. The 6-foot-4, 210-pound forward also played in 64 games with Syracuse of the American Hockey League (AHL) in 2003-04, recording 23-13-36 and 61 PIM. He ranked tied for 3rd on Syracuse in goals that season. Jackman also finished tied for 2nd on Syracuse in playoff scoring, collecting 2-3-5 and 12 PIM in 7 games in 2003-04.

The 23-year-old Jackman was originally drafted by Columbus as the 38th overall pick, in the 2nd round of the 2001 NHL Entry Draft. In 2004-05, he played in 73 games with Syracuse, collecting 14-21-35 and 98 PIM. A native of Minot, North Dakota, Jackman played two seasons (2000-01 and 2001-02) of collegiate hockey at Minnesota State-Mankato of the WCHA before turning pro. While with Park Center High School in Minnesota, he earned First Team All-State honors as selected by the Associated Press.

Chimera did not play in any regular season games as a Coyote, missing the first two games in 2005-06 due to injury. He did play in 5 preseason games with Phoenix, collecting 0-1-1 and 4 PIM. The 26-year-old forward was acquired by the Coyotes from Edmonton with a 3rd round choice in the 2004 Entry Draft in exchange for a 2nd round choice and 4th round choice in the 2004 Entry Draft on June 26, 2004. Chimera played in four NHL seasons, all with Edmonton.

Hulse played in one season as a Coyote, collecting 3-17-20 and 123 PIM in 82 games in 2003-04. The 31-year-old defenseman was a healthy scratch for both of the Coyotes’ first two games of the 2005-06 season. In four preseason games with Phoenix in 2005, he tallied 0-1-1 and 14 PIM. In his NHL career, Hulse has played in 580 games with New Jersey, Calgary, Nashville and Phoenix. He joined the Coyotes on July 10, 2003 when he signed as a free agent.

Rupp played in one game this season with Phoenix, recording no points and no PIM. The 25-year-old forward played in 6 games as a Coyote at the end of the 2003-04 season, registering 0-1-1 and 6 PIM. He was acquired in a trade with New Jersey along with a 2nd round choice in the 2004 Entry Draft in exchange for Jan Hrdina on Mar. 5, 2004. In his NHL career, Rupp has played in 83 NHL games with New Jersey and Phoenix.

Following the trade, Jackman was reassigned to the San Antonio Rampage, the Coyotes’ top minor league affiliate in the AHL.

[Dr Hook]

Now they should trade for Andrew Cassels.

[HordiBrusk29]

Phoenix gave up too much, IMO. I am not surprised to see Hulse go, but giving up Rupp and Chimera so fast is a little disappointing.

[PinoyRon51]

Rupp and Chimera both was too much. Only one of them should of gotten traded.

[Captain Crunch28]

Originally Posted by PinoyRon51

Rupp and Chimera both was too much. Only one of them should of gotten traded.

I've never heard of either one of these players but I'm sord or disapointed we let Sanderson go.. How is Rupp and Chimera?

[Dr Hook]

Originally Posted by HordiBrusk29

Phoenix gave up too much, IMO. I am not surprised to see Hulse go, but giving up Rupp and Chimera so fast is a little disappointing.

Buffalo had to give up Brad May to get him.

[Mike Kole]

Originally Posted by Captain Crunch28

I've never heard of either one of these players but I'm sord or disapointed we let Sanderson go.. How is Rupp and Chimera?

Rupp is from St. Edward's High School in Cleveland, so that is no doubt a factor in his being acquired. For reference, you may recall Brett Harkins, who played briefly for the Jackets, who is also a St. Ed's grad. Dan Fritsche is from my alma mater, Padua Franciscan, also a Cle area HS. It seems to be a minor local guy ticket sales strategy.

Rupp made his NHL playoff debut as a rookie with the NJ Devils in the Stanley Cup finals. He was a wrecking ball in his first playoff game, scoring a goal and adding two assists, if memory serves. He seemed to have a ton of power forward ability.

[Smooth]

As a Yotes fan, I ask myself what in the world is Wayne thinking.

Phoenix needs an old guy who can skate and score a little bit. Not some good hard working
penalty killers.

As a Jackets fan, I'm asking what is Gallant thinking. Hulse, Rupp and Chimera all so-so players. Don't the BJ have enough gritt players, they need a scoring.

Strange

[Blouin]

Originally Posted by Smooth

As a Yotes fan, I ask myself what in the world is Wayne thinking.

Phoenix needs an old guy who can skate and score a little bit. Not some good hard working
penalty killers.

As a Jackets fan, I'm asking what is Gallant thinking. Hulse, Rupp and Chimera all so-so players. Don't the BJ have enough gritt players, they need a scoring.

Strange

This is a great deal for BJ. Hulse is a good stay at home defenseman and Rupp and Chimera have potential.
Terrible trade for Coyotes

[JKidd]

Originally Posted by Smooth

As a Yotes fan, I ask myself what in the world is Wayne thinking.

Phoenix needs an old guy who can skate and score a little bit. Not some good hard working
penalty killers.

As a Jackets fan, I'm asking what is Gallant thinking. Hulse, Rupp and Chimera all so-so players. Don't the BJ have enough gritt players, they need a scoring.

Strange

your a jackets fan yet you dont see the potential for chimera and rupp? strange. the yotes got the real short end of this one. they lost a good dman and 2 pretty good up-and-comers. damn, yotes fans have no fighters to cheer for and they just traded away some of the only good things the team has...or i mean had now.

[Baronking]

Originally Posted by Mike Kole

Rupp is from St. Edward's High School in Cleveland, so that is no doubt a factor in his being acquired. For reference, you may recall Brett Harkins, who played briefly for the Jackets, who is also a St. Ed's grad. Dan Fritsche is from my alma mater, Padua Franciscan, also a Cle area HS. It seems to be a minor local guy ticket sales strategy.

Rupp made his NHL playoff debut as a rookie with the NJ Devils in the Stanley Cup finals. He was a wrecking ball in his first playoff game, scoring a goal and adding two assists, if memory serves. He seemed to have a ton of power forward ability.

Rupp brought the cup into our town after he won it with NJ, i wasnt around though so I missed it. Hes from the suburb right next to mine. It does seem like Columbus likes our Clevleand area guys. Fritsche has a hockey shop at our local rink. It looks like hes going to have a great year.

[DaleHunter32]

Columbus makes out like bandits getting a 3-2 trade, letting go Sanderson who is unfortunatly nearing the end and Jackman for. Hulse, a body on the point... Rupp a solid 3-4th line guy, and Chimera who's a young guy with good potential that has been bounced around a couple teams

I think this was a chance for Wayno to get some Vet's (as if they needed them) and also give him some lee-way to call up McAllister or Ferrence from the "A", b/c they're a D-man are light now

[HordiBrusk29]

The deal happened because Nagy was set to return from the IR. The Coyotes needed to free up a roster spot. Either way they got screwed in this one. I liked what I've seen from Rupp and Chimera didn't even get to play a game with Phoenix. He is one of the fastest skaters in the NHL (although Sanderson is a great skater, just not as fast as Chimera). Gretzky is always preaching about how he wants players that can skate. Doesn't make a whole lot of sense...

Trading Hulse makes sense. He was a healthy scratch for the first two games of the season and with Ballard and Michalek making the team, it pushed him down to the 8th defenseman on the depth chart.

[BM24]

I guess the Yotes were getting impatient without Nedved and got trigger happy trying to get another decent centreman.

[BM24]

Not a bad deal now that I see Ricci took a puck in the eye tonight.