Panthers Trade Wade Belak to Nashville ... Here Comes Nasty Nick Tarnasky ... Shawn Matthias Joining Team Friday ... Now with Quotes! From JM and Belak too

Happy Thanksgiving Wade Belak! You're outta here!

Yep, the Panthers pulled a Turkey Day trade, sending Belak to Nashville (think he's going to like it there) for former Lightning forward Nick Tarnasky.

Tarnasky is younger than Belak at 24, and might be able to provide a little more offense. Tarnasky, who has rumbled with the Cats in the past, hasn't scored a goal in 11 games this season, but had 11 in the past two years with the Bolts.

For Belak, who was trying to get something started throughout last night's game, this is a fresh start in Music City. Folks may look at his Cooper Mini with a wary eye, but he'll fit in right well with the Predators me thinks.

And he gets to leave a last place team. That's usually not a bad thing.

-- Just got off the phone with JM, says the team is likely to bring up Shawn Matthias from Rochester, give him a chance to show what he's got. With the season he's having in Rochester, this is a good time for a clean slate.

And now, Jacques Martin on the Tarnasky/Belak trade that sent the hockey world on it's ear today (OK, it didn't.)

On Tarnasky:

"He’s a guy who brings more speed, something we’re trying to improve on this team. He’s a big guy, can forecheck, finish his check against his defender.

"He’s a role player, but he can get there quicker, use his speed and use his body to his advantage. He can drive to the net, play a simple game. He’s going to help Pete [DeBoer] play four lines. He can be part of a momentum line.''

On signing Wade Belak to a two-year deal then spit-canning him 20 games into season:

"With Wade, his ice time was a concern. He had trouble fitting in to Peter’s system. As a general manager, you want to get guys who can fit their coach’s system. Nashville wanted a different style of player. For Wade it’s unfortunate this had to happen, but it’s part of the business. We improved our club. We have to keep improving.''

-- Just spoke to Wade, he says he's "stunned" by the trade and thought everything had worked itself out. Said he enjoyed his short time in South Florida, really seemed to enjoy living here. Added he enjoyed his teammates, folks who worked for the team and the neighbors he's leaving behind.

If you're on an early flight to Atlanta tomorrow and see a big red-headed dude on your flight, that could be Belak. Nashville plays at the Thrash tomorrow night.

"I hear lots of good things about Nashville from various guys who have played there,'' Belak said. "Vokoun said he loved playing there. I talked to the general manager and the coach, and they seem like great people. They are accomidating with the family. It’s a good organization. I’m happy to be going there.

"They do a lot of things well, lot of behind the scenes stuff. They treat their players and families with a lot of respect.

"It’s nice to be wanted, especially after what transpired after last weekend. It was tough to come back knowing there was an issue there. To be traded was very surprising.''

On meeting with Pete DeBoer on Tuesday:

"I told my side of the story, told him what I could bring to the table. It was a good meeting, no yelling and screaming.We just wanted to move on, and obviously, they moved on.''

 

 

Comments

[Shawn]

Nick Tarnasky, the answer to our offensive prayers!

[Steph]

lol its not baby steps its unborn child steps

[Andy]

Hey Wade, this is your lucky day after all. You are out of here!!! Good Luck playing for a real NHL team.

[Chuck]

I've cracked JM's plan for the team and it's a take off from Noah's Ark - bring them 2 by 2 in name.

2 Bryans

2 Nicks

2 Corys

Forget about scoring goals with skill, we'll just confuse the other team. We need 7 more pairs and the mastermind has done it.

[BJD]

Matthias? Yikes. He's the biggest liability in a terribly inept lineup here in Rochester--worst plus/minus on the team. Of course, since there's no scoring talent here, I suppose being on a line with someone who can get him the puck makes sense. I see things are rough with the Panthers, but I'm afraid there's absolutely no help here--they're on pace to finish with the worst record in AHL history.

[Bo]

I would miss Wade Belak if they gave him any ice time. That said I like Nick Tarnasky, I thought the Lightning were dumb to trade him to make room for oldtimers like Roberts & Recchi. Tarnasky is a gritty player. He won't score many goals but he will finish his check. The more the Panthers bang bodies against the boards the better.

[season ticket holder since day one]

Which defensive specialist will JM the GM pick with his first round pick?

Let's hope Tarnasky doesn't fall into the country club trap that is the Florida Panthers

[zenator]

I like Belak-great person with high character. He made sense for the style of hockey that Martin coached, but not DeBoer. Still, it seems a low class move to trade him on Thanksgiving day.

Tarnasky is younger, cheaper and will play more minutes as a 4th liner. He is hardly a difference maker.

We are not a very good hockey team right now. Aside from Belak, there are a number of players that don't fit into the DeBoer program, many of whom are slated to become UFAs at the end of the season.

The two that really surprise me are J-Bo and Rusty, both of whom are disaapointing. J-Bo should be playing his ass off so he can cash in next year as a UFA. Rusty should be producing a lot more, since the system seems designed for his talents. Both need to be traded.

[Brian From CT]

First off I feel bad for Belak.
Second, JM has no idea what he is doing.
Third, Matthias sucks.

Remember when he brought Zed/Dv/mclean he said now we have the speed to compete. Now he says Tarnasky brings some speed that we desperately need HAHAHAHA

[Brian From CT]

oh and Zenator just brought up a good point.

OLESZ SUCKS! JUST ANOTHER FIRST ROUND BUST ALONG WITH STEWART.

You guys know McArdle was also a first round pick. We havent even seen him yet in the NHL and he was drafted in 2005 lol.