Mats In A Minute

(March 24, 2001) When new Barons GM Dan Thaler was hired just a week ago, he assured the fans of the hockey world that the team would undergo drastic changes. Just a short time away from the trade deadline and with the team lingering in the middle of the pack standings-wise, Thaler pulled off a key trade with the Los Angeles Kings that could very well change the outcome of this season.

Thaler sent backup goalie Jeff Hackett, along with center and former team captain Vincent Damphousse, to L.A. in exchange for Stephane Fiset and Mats Sundin. Fiset has been the starter for the Kings, and has a 3.15 GAA in 48 games. He will now play second fiddle to All-Star Ed Belfour. Sundin, a 6-foot-4, 228-pound, 26-year-old center, has 28 goals and 25 assists in 51 games. Sundin should help significantly to bolster the scoring of the Barons' top line, which now consists of Sundin, Mark Recchi, and Martin Rucinsky.

In Damphousse's absence, Recchi will now wear the captain's 'C', while the assistant captains will be Sundin and defenseman Doug Bodger.

Despite this bold swapping of big names, Thaler says he has only just begun. "I'd still like to improve our blue line at this point," he said. "If we could pick up a top-3 defenseman, that would put us in tremendous position to make something happen come playoff time."

Thaler's first move has been made. He has once again donned the thinking cap, and the world awaits his next transaction. -DT

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