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After
losing 4-2 to the Colorado Avalanche, GM Williams went out and
acquired defensive forward Jozef Stumpel from the Washington
Capitals in exchange for minor league defenseman Derek Meech.
Sitting 3rd in the West only 2 points behind 1st place Vancouver
Canucks, GM Williams felt after losing 4-2 to the Avalanche,
something needs to be done.
Stumpel, 35, Is very slick and has
great vision on the ice. Makes crisp, tape-to-tape passes. Has
excellent size for the center position. Can also play wing if the
need arose. He has put up 19 points, seven being goals, in 41 games
so far this season with the Capitals playing on the 3rd line. It is
expected that he will suit up on the second line in between Gionta
and Perrin who will move to the left wing.
As for Derek Meech, he was expendable
as the depth of the defense for the Blues future is very good with
prospects Drew Doughty and Colby Robak, and players like Nick
Grossman and Roman Polak in the minors.
With recent defensive laps by
several players and poor play of goalie Tim Thomas, Williams felt
that a change was needed. Although some may think a goaltending
change may help more, Williams has stated before and stated again
that he has a lot of trust in Thomas and that it would take and
extreme offer that favors his club by a landslide to pry him away.
It is also expected that there will be at least one more move before
the deadline where the Blues add defensive depth.
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