The Pittsburgh Penguins traded defenseman Darryl Sydor to the Dallas Stars for defenseman Philippe Boucher on Sunday morning.
This trade doesn't affect Pens' fans much. Sydor wanted to be traded because he wanted more ice time and on a nightly basis there just wasn't room for him on the Pens' blue line.
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All things considered, this looks like another solid move made by Penguins' GM, Ray Shero. We'll see if Boucher cracks the starting lineup immediately for Michel Therrien or if the coach gives him a week or so to adjust to the new atmosphere before inserting him into the lineup.
Best of luck goes out to Darryl Sydor and his family, who should be pleased to move back to Dallas, where Sydor has nothing but great things to say about.
Sydor is still a capable NHL defenseman, just not on the Pittsburgh Penguins team. He'll be better off in a place where he can finish out his career as a top six defenseman instead of sitting in the press box three out of every four games.
If there is any relation between Philippe Boucher and Bobby Boucher, better known as "the Waterboy," then we're in for a good show.
Let's Go Pens.
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about 1 month ago
In Shero We Trust.
Classic move - low risk, potentially huge benefits if Boucher returns to his '06-'07 outputs. Sometimes all you need is a change of scenery.
about 1 month ago
Boucher is good, the Stars blue line needed a better defensive defenseman and Sydor being likely paired with Zubov brings back a pairing of old for the Stars. Looking forward to having number 5 back!
from about 1 month ago
Personally, I thought Sydor needed to be moved last season. He is still capable of playing the game, just not on a team that is offensively based like Pittsburgh has become. I think he'll fit in better in Dallas, and being back with Zubov should shore up that pairing for the Stars.
about 1 month ago
sure up, not shore up... wow
about 1 month ago
I have always been a Sydor fan but he definitely did not live up to his Dallas and Tampa Bay days. Will Boucher have an easier time cracking the line-up than Sydor did? Especially with the return of the Whit and Gonch?
from about 1 month ago
Anders,
For the time being Boucher should be in the lineup on a pretty regular basis. After Whitney gets healthy, Boucher will probably be trade bait for another forward acquisition at the deadline or simply be relegated to the 7th defenseman. If he's still around when Gonchar comes back, it gets really complicated. Here is what the Penguins blue line would look like right now, if everyone was healthy:
Gonchar-Gill
Orpik-Letang
Whitney-Scuderi
7. Goligoski
8. Boucher
9. Eaton
As you can see, it's gonna be tough for Bouch to stay in this lineup once everyone is healthy, unless some moves are made at the deadline that displaces one of the top 6 guys, which is pretty unlikely. Eaton and Boucher likely won't be Penguins at this time next season.
about 1 month ago
So Boucher needs to get really familiar with the Pittsburgh apartment market very soon?... I am kinda curious how Goligoski fits in the mix too because I see you have him at 7th with everyone healthy but he is making a heck of an argument to be a full-time Penguins defenceman (minus a few rookie mistakes, expected) but then the question of where immediately pops up.
from about 1 month ago
Very true. I wouldn't be surprised to see the Penguins shop at least 2 defensemen at the trade deadline to try to pick up another rent-a-player for the stretch run and the playoffs, as much as I'd hate to see that happen again, it's probably going to.
Gonchar is in the last year of his contract and with most of the youngsters already on board, the Pens may find it hard to hang on to Sarge past this season. He is still one of the top 5 d-men in the league, but the youth movement seems to be the prevailing policy with the current management.
I'm just speculation of course, but something will obviously have to be done because scratching 3 d-men on a nightly basis won't fly for very long.
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