Oilers Trade Garon to Pittsburgh

[Thrillhouse]

Edmonton Oilers General Manager Steve Tambellini announced today the acquisition of forward Ryan Stone, goaltender Dany Sabourin and a fourth round draft choice in 2011 from the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for goaltender Mathieu Garon.

Stone, a 6’2”, 215 pound native of Calgary, Alberta, was originally selected by the Penguins in the second round (32nd overall) of the 2003 National Hockey League Entry Draft. In 38 games with the American Hockey League’s Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins this season, Stone has tallied 9-19-28 with 53 penalty minutes. In eight career NHL games, the 23-year-old centre has recorded one assist and seven penalty minutes.

Oilers General Manager Steve Tambellini says, “Addressing our goaltending situation was a high priority for us and moving forward, we believe we’ve accomplished that as well as acquiring some valuable assets for our organization.”

Sabourin is in his ninth professional season and has appeared in 57 career NHL games, posting an 18-25-4 record with 2.88 goals against average and a .898 save percentage. In 19 games with the Penguins this season, the 6’4”, 200 pound, 28-year-old from Val D’Or, Quebec is 6-8-2 with a 2.85 goals against average and a .898 save percentage.

[PsuNate1977]

It was obvious Pittsburgh was going after a backup, MAF just is too up and down and Sabourin sucks.

Stone has very minimal NHL potential, he blew his chance when Froggan was after a Pen and he stood there and watched.

[FightingIsGood]

Well, Garon at least has been a starter in years past, but meh...he isn't anything special. It's still an upgrade over Sabourin, though. As for Stone, I agree - he had his chance to prove his worth to the organization and blew it. I was at that game when he stood there watching Frogren go after a Pen, and I wasn't happy at all. Something irks me though - 2 players and a pick for a backup goalie?

[Big Violence]

I really don't think Tambellini adressed his goaltending situation by aquiring Sabourin. Sabu is mediocre at best. Garon is nothing special either. Stone really won't be missed but why give them a 4th round pick too? I don't agree with that call.

[Thrillhouse]

I'm thinking Garon's play last night was a big reason this went down today. He looked a lot more like the guy who was backstopping the Oilers last season. I'd say Garon is a pretty solid upgrade over Sabourin, though it is at the back-up position. He'll be able to lighten Fleury's work load and Pittsburgh could count on him if MAF went down.

For Edmonton, certainly the pick is the most valuable asset. Springfield is weak on forwards so Stone will add some scoring and toughness. Best case scenario is he earns a 3rd-4th line spot in the next few years, but more likely Edmonton will count on him to earn a call-up here and there. I'm scratching my head over Sabourin....I hope he gets sent down.

[28richter16]

Regardless, Garon is an upgrade over Sabourin, and he has been lights-out in shootouts. Overall, a good move by Pittsburgh trying to shore up their goaltending this year.

[Isles4life]

This is a solid trade for Pittsburgh, even though they had to give up two players and a pick as FIG pointed out. Garon is definitely an upgrade over Sabourin as Fleury's backup, and Stone clearly was not going to make it with the Penguins, so a change of scenery is good for both him and the team. Considering that the Oilers really reap no benefit from picking up a worse goalie and a minor leaguer with questionable NHL potential, I can understand why they wanted a pick thrown in to sweeten the deal.

[Blouin]

I actually like this trade for Edmonten. 3 for 1

[Killah_punk]

So is Edmonton going to continue to carry 3 goalies?

[Wadubbin]

Last time I saw Garon he got lit up by the Pens for 5 goals...I wish they didn't give up the pick...

[DARCY T]

excellent trade for pens.garon could easily take no.1 spot in pittsburgh

[chilly666]

Originally Posted by Killah_punk

So is Edmonton going to continue to carry 3 goalies?

good question. they dont really need sabourin in edmonton or springfield. he might stay just to help ease in deslauriers some more.

Originally Posted by DARCY T

excellent trade for pens.garon could easily take no.1 spot in pittsburgh

you must be highed than a kite. garon is there til the end of the year and fleury is signed for 4 more years. not gonna happen in this lifetime. garon wont re-sign either cause he thinks he is a starter in the league and fleury isnt going anywhere

[OriginalSix]

Burgh gave up way too much for a short term fix.

[OilersHockey]

The Edmontonsun is reporting (and logic would agree) the intention is for Sabourin to report to Springfield (AHL) and be paired with Oilers prospect Dubnyk.

The two NHL goaltenders will be Jeff DD and Roloson.

The sun didn't mention anything about Sabourin having to clear waivers - does anyone know if this is the case?

Stone will add a bit more grit to a soft Springfield forward corps, with the potential of future development.

The pick is just a bonus.

Considering how many goalies we've seen waived this year, I'm amazed Tambellini could pull even this off... Garon is not a bad goaltender, but there seems to be a surplus of goalies available this year.

[bengino]

so the Oil will continue to put all their hope on Roloson? Garon is IMO the better of the two, but no one aside from Edmonton would take the old man and his contract.