Pacific Division gets weaker early in draft

Share

PITTSBURGHA couple of Pacific Division regulars are headed to the Eastern Conference.

In the first two trades of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft at the Consol Energy Center, the Anaheim Ducks sent defenseman Lubomir Visnovsky to the New York Islanders for a second round pick in 2013, while the Dallas Stars traded talented and agitating center Mike Ribeiro to the Washington Capitals for center Cody Eakin and a second round pick this year.

The Sharks wont shed any tears over Ribeiro leaving the division, in particular. In his six seasons with Dallas, Ribeiro had 14 goals and 15 assists for 29 points and 19 penalty minutes in 39 career games against San Jose.

Ribeiro, 32, was Dallas second leading scorer last season with 63 points (18g, 45a) and is likely to serve as the Caps second line center.

An offensive-minded defenseman, Visnovsky spent parts of the last three seasons in Anaheim. In 68 games last season, the 35-year-old had six goals and 21 assists for 27 points and 47 penalty minutes.

In the first blockbuster of the draft, Pittsburgh sent center Jordan Staal to the Carolina Hurricanes for Brandon Sutter, Brian Dumoulin and the eighth overall pick in the draft (Derrick Pouliot). Staal had recently turned down a 10-year contract extension with the Penguins, and will play alongside his brother Eric in Carolina.

Contact Us