After a meeting was done with the coaching staff and players, Larouche stated changes would happen. The GM was busy making two moves over the weekend.
The Coyotes proceed to make two moves where two veteran players who were going in seperate directions were moved. Stuggling star Heatley who took 19 games to score his first goal and was constantly booed by the home fans was dealt to the Calgary Flames along with a draft pick for the young Milan Michalek. Then 24 hours later the gm took it a step further moving team leading goal scorer Justin Williams along with farm player Marcel Goc and prospect Jamie Benn to the San Jose Sharks for Jordan Staal and Phoenix own 1st round pick in 2010.
Above the newcomers Michalek and Staal will be looking to help Phoenix win now while providing some great hope for a long bright future for the franchise.
The media did not take kindly to the moves. However Larouche was quick to point out things that some may have failed to see. "I will say this, that we did lose two great key players in Heatley and Williams. They will be missed and the Phoenix Coyotes wish both players the best in their new beginnings. However we needed to make a decision, Jacques and I were both on the same page that we felt it was better to go the youth route where we feel we can allow our club to be competive now and in the near future. We felt that we should allow our young players to gain experience now instead of later. It's still very early and we feel that the young players here can provide what we need to move on." Larouche stated from home Tuesday evening.
Team Captain Shane Doan welcomed the move. "I think both kids can come here and know there is no pressure to save the franchise or to be the face of the team. Both players bring different aspects to our team and yet they both bring size which is what Larouche was trying to install on the team."
According to some sources close to the gm, states that the club is not done making moves. Most moves are centered among the veterans left with the club and also that some younger players could be moved. The source stated that Vermette, Doan, Rafalski, McLaren, Danis, Enstrom and some farm players could be dealt in the next few days. For the Phoenix Republican, I am Frederick Jones.
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