PR - Wheat Kings

WHEAT KINGS SEND PETER THE GREAT PACKING IN 10 PLAYER DEAL

The Wheat Kings, struggling to climb out of the Western Conference cellar,
decided that it was time to give the team a significant shake-up.  Peter Forsberg,
a multi-million dollar free agent addition this previous offseason was
dispatched to the Misconduct as part of a massive ten player trade.

Leaving Saskatoon are Forsberg, defenseman Karol Rachunek, back-up Kevin
Weekes, utility players Andy McDonald and Peter Buzek.  Arriving are center Craig
Conroy, winger Brian Rolston, defencmen Jay McKee and Nikos Tselios, and
goaltender Tomas Vokoun.

"I think Forsberg is the end of an era for us," GM Tyler Young said. "We've
always had at least one high-priced talent on our team, but has often only lead to
disappointment.  We've had some talented players like Forsberg play for us, but
only Tkachuk ever performed well - I just don't know what it is with the
Wheaties jersey which brings out the worst in top-end players.  I don't think we will
be looking at high-priced talent anymore, rather concentrating on developing
and keeping our young core group together. 

Anyways, I like this deal since we address some key concerns: we acquired two
quality forwards - Conroy will hopefully produce as well as Forsberg was for us,
and Rolston gives us another offensive weapon to spread around the depth. 
Although it may turn-out foolish to give up on a player of Forsberg's skill, he was
the producing well below expectations and the real heart and soul of this team
are the youngsters like Josh Hennessy, Dimitri Kazionov, and Stever Bernier -
getting two skilled veterans increases our depth and that should take some of
the pressure off the young guns.  We also felt our defense was weak and needed to
be toughened up and improved in the defensive awareness.  McKee is a solid
veteran defensive d-man, and Tselios is a tough SOB - we can eat his penalty
minutes, and that kind-of player is sometimes necessary to keep the other team on
their toes.  Lastly, we picked-up another quality goalie.  Plus, although he was
statistically good, Luongo has often al
lowed us to lose one goal decisions, and Vokoun may have more killer instinct,
or at the very least his presence should push Luongo.  Essentially, we now have
two #1 goalies from which to choose."