Flurry of Moves signal radical change
11.07.00 14:30MST
Bure and Fata out, O'Neill, Gelinas and Macdonald in.
Valeri Bure and prospect Rico Fata have been traded to Carolina for veteran winger Martin Gelinas and centre Jeff O'Neil as per GM Dave Fyvie. The deal also includes two 3rd round draft picks going to Carolina, one in 2001 and another in 2002. In a separate move, undrafted College centre Andy Macdonald signed an entry level contract with the club for 2 years worth $865,000 a season.
"Picking up Gelinas and O'Neill addresses several needs we have on this hockey club right now." Dave Fyvie said of the transaction. "Valeri Bure is a legitimate top six winger who will thrive with the players they have in Carolina. We are happy to have had him here."
The 30yr old Gelinas joins his fifth franchise and brings a solid two-way game. "He can score and plays a solid 200ft game" Fyvie said of his new port side forward.
For Jeff O'Neill the trade brings new opportunities. "He's got speed and a nose for the net. I have a feeling he'll be useful on both the powerplay and the penalty killing units. He's so versatile and can play down the middle if we need him to."
With the trade, Fyvie seems to have addressed the need his team has for those elusive middle-six wingers he's been looking for all summer.
With the trade announced, the young GM then unveiled another transaction - signing centre Andy MacDonald (pictured) from Colgate University. The young 5'11" centre went undrafted and produced 67 goals and 154 points in just 137 games over the past 4 years in the college ranks.
"We love his hockey sense and see this signing as found money." Said Fyvie of the move. "We see him playing potentially as a second line centre."
The three new forwards will hopefully signal a return to playoff hockey for the Flames who have finished out of the second season for 4 straight years.