Canes re-acquire Aaron Ward

[Treici]

hurricanes.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=451293

RALEIGH, NC—Jim Rutherford, President and General Manager of the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that the team has acquired defenseman Aaron Ward from the Boston Bruins in exchange for forward Patrick Eaves and a fourth-round selection in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.

“With this trade, our defense really takes shape,” said Rutherford. “Aaron played very well during his time in Carolina and had maintained that consistency with New York and Boston. We envision him complementing Joni Pitkanen well as a defensive pairing.”

Ward, 36, completed his 14th NHL season in 2008-09, totaling three goals and seven assists (10 points) and 44 penalty minutes in 65 games for the Boston Bruins. The Windsor, Ont., native ranked second among Bruins skaters in blocked shots (124) and third among Bruins skaters in hits (151) despite missing 17 games due to injury. Ward (6’2”, 209 lbs.) skated in all 11 of Boston’s Stanley Cup Playoff contests, netting one goal and leading Boston with 25 blocked shots.

Originally drafted by the Winnipeg Jets in the first round, fifth overall, of the 1991 NHL Entry Draft, Ward has tallied 43 goals and 95 assists (138 points) and 674 penalty minutes in 762 career NHL games with Detroit, Carolina, the New York Rangers and Boston. He has played in 95 career playoff games, earning 10 points (4g, 6a) and 73 penalty minutes. His teams have reached the Stanley Cup Finals four times, and captured the Stanley Cup championships three times – 1997 and 1998 with Detroit and 2006 with Carolina.

[Melindaaaaaa [26]]

I totally jumped out of bed!

THIS MEANS HAPPY DANCE TIMEEEEEEE!

[mscaniac]

damn Mel the Canes have done great by you this off season huh? LOL..
One of the first things Tracy asked me when we found out about the trade was "Doesn't Mel love Aaron Ward?".
I am thrilled with this trade myself. Sorry to see Eaves go but with the abundance of forwards we had I knew someone had to. Hated Aaron Ward as a Bruin but will love his spunk wearing the sightless eye!

[Melindaaaaaa [26]]

Dude, I could kiss JR for this offseason. I won't, but I could.

This team is going to be EPIC I tell you.

[You heard it here first.]

[mscaniac]

I totally agree on the epic part, I truly think we are going to be a force this season. WOO HOO!

[dewaltgirl]

Aaron Ward is exactly the type of defenseman we need(ed). I hope some team out there takes a chance on Patty but it was time for us to part ways with him.

I was also pleased to see the reaction from the fans last night at Fun Fest when the trade was brought up. I worried that Game 5 would be too fresh in everyone's mind and while it definitely still was with some, the overall reception was great. Granted, Chad had to go twisting a knife in Aaron talking about winning the series and Scotty doing it... LOL

[mscaniac]

LOL.. did he really? Leave it to Chad, I'm sure he found it hilarious!

[mslarose27]

That's my boy!

Aaron is the exact kind of defenseman we need. I hope it works out and gives us 3 solid pairs like it should.

[Melindaaaaaa [26]]

Oh Chad...

Dear God I love this team entirely much more than is healthy.