Vancouver, (BC) - In a move that has shocked the majority of Canuck diehards, they have traded the backbone to their defense, Ed Jovanovski (Jovocop) back to his former team Florida. A mid-round draft pick is also going to Florida inexchange for young defensemen Dmitri Kalinin and Mike Van Ryn, as well as defense prospect Drew Bagnall. Jovanovski has without question been the Canucks best blueliner this season with 31 points in 62 games and he is a +10. Dmitri Kalinin has had a decent thus far registering 23 points in 59 games but Mike Van Ryn has struggled a bit. The Province caught up with Canucks GM Greg Byron earlier today;
The Province: Why trade Jovanovski, the best defender on the team and meanwhile try to go on a cup run?
Byron: A number of reasons. We decided to shop Ed and found out that his trade value was remarkably high. He has been our backbone on D but Hannan and Ohlund are not far behind at all. In this deal we get two very promising, relatively young defenders who we think have top 4 capabilities. This deal also saves us around 3 million dollars in salary, thats a bonus.
The Province: Naslund, Sedins, Bert, Jovo, Cloutier.... The Canucks we knew at the beginning of the season are no longer here. Why so many changes?
Byron: We decided to go in a bit of a different direction. We felt at the beginning of the year that our team was much, much too soft and that our defense was very weak. I think now we can honestly say that those are no longer problems. I would say we have arguably the best defense core in the entire OTHL now. I'm sure the fans are a bit aggrivated with us at this point but we have put together a new Canuck team that we really like and hope to keep the core here together for years.
The Province: Do you think you are done trading before the deadline? Do you think now this team is ready for a cup drive?
Byron: I can't answer the first one. I think for the most part we are done, but if something comes along, then it comes along. I do think this team is ready for a cup drive. The addition of Thibault has really given our team a spark. I also think adding more defensive and experienced players such as Don Sweeney, Rob Zamuner and Curtis Brown will help down the stretch.
The Province: One last question, getting back to the Jovo trade, what do you think will now be the defense pairings?
Byron: I haven't had this discussion yet with Marc (Crawford) but I think it would go something like Ohlund with Hannan, Phillips with Kalinin and then Kuba with Van Ryn. I wouldn't rule out Pothier, Sweeney or Bergevin seeing some time as well. We have plenty of bodies so whoever is hot will play.
The Province: Thanks for your time.
Byron: Anytime sunshine.
- The Province -