Tanabe traded for Scatchard

[azsouthendzone]

COYOTES ACQUIRE DAVE SCATCHARD FROM BOSTON

IN EXCHANGE FOR DAVID TANABE



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Friday, November 18, 2005



GLENDALE, ARIZONA -- Phoenix Coyotes General Manager Michael Barnett announced today that the Coyotes have acquired center Dave Scatchard from Boston in exchange for defenseman David Tanabe.



In his 8th NHL season, the 6-foot-3, 220-pound Scatchard has played in 16 games with the Bruins this season, recording 4 goals, 6 assists, 10 points, and 28 penalty minutes (28) while averaging 16:55 of ice time per game. In his first and only season with Boston, Scatchard ranked 2nd on the club in faceoffs taken with 272 and had a 54.8 faceoff win percentage. He joined the Bruins when he signed as a free agent on Aug. 2, 2005.



In 542 career NHL games, Scatchard has recorded 111-121-232 and 861 PIM with the Vancouver Canucks, New York Islanders and Boston Bruins. The Hinton, Alberta native has also played in 17 NHL playoff games (all with the Islanders), registering 2-2-4 and 34 PIM. In each season of his NHL career, Scatchard has had a faceoff winning percentage of at least 52.7%.



Scatchard, 29, played four and a half seasons with the Islanders from 1999-2000 to 2003-04. His best season came in 2002-03 when he led the Islanders with a career high 27 goals and tied his career high in points with 45. In 2000-01, Scatchard collected 21 goals and 45 points, ranking 2nd on the club in goals. He also finished 8th in the NHL in faceoff winning percentage with 55.1% and led the team with 5 game winning goals. In 1999-00, his first season with the Islanders, Scatchard ranked 9th in the NHL in faceoff winning percentage with 56.6%.



Originally drafted by Vancouver in the 2nd round (42nd overall) of the 1994 NHL Entry Draft, Scatchard began his NHL career with the Canucks, playing in two and a half seasons with Vancouver. He was then traded to the Islanders on Dec. 19, 1999 with Kevin Weekes and Bill Muckalt in exchange for 2nd and 3rd round draft choices in 2000 and Felix Potvin.



Tanabe recorded 4 assists and 8 PIM in 21 games with the Coyotes this season. In 317 NHL games with Carolina and Phoenix, Tanabe has collected 20-58-78 and 145 PIM. The 6-foot-1, 212-pound blueliner joined the Coyotes on June 21, 2003 from Carolina along with Igor Knyazev in exchange for Danny Markov. Tanabe was originally drafted by Carolina in the 1st round (16th overall) of the 1999 NHL Entry Draft.



The Coyotes return to the ice on Saturday when they visit the San Jose Sharks. Game time is set for 8:30 p.m. and the contest will be broadcast on WB6, KDKB (93.3 FM) and KDUS (1060 AM).

 

[boondockdrunk]

Horrible trade. Makes me want to vomit.

 

[jf-08]

i don't understand this trade

 

[JerkFace]

we needed a center and tanabe has been a disappointment this season. i don't really like giving up tanabe for scatchard but that was the mindset for the trade.

 

[JerkFace]

i've been reading some boston bruins message boards and they are all pissed off saying that we got the better end of the trade.

 

[Murf]

I always like Tanabe. But I'm sure the play of Ballard, Michalek and Mara made him expendable. Gauthier is due back soon if I remember right. O'Donnell and Morris haven't impressed either, but Tanabe's stats say it all. 4 assists and 0 goals? Not good.

Coyotes need offense and if Scatchard can bring that, then I say good trade.

This trade makes me very happy that I didn't get a #5 jersey made. I want to get another jersey but I'm waiting for someone to inspire me. Looks like I might be getting a #31, his play has been terrific!

 

[KingLouieLouie]

I must say that I was thoroughly miffed when I first read this thread, however, now Im not completely against it....

Theoretically, it seems that Tanabe hasnt reverted back to full speed since his season ending injury of '03-'04.... Also, it must be factored in that his playing time was going to get substantially reduced with Gauthier's return and with the emergence of Ballard and Michalek, they now have too many offensive-minded defenseman (along with Morris and Mara), so they probably will now give O'Donnell more minutes since him and Gauthier are the only grinding defenseman on the roster.... I wont be shocked if they add another bruising defeseman between now and the trading-deadline (which is contingent if theyre in contention for a play-off spot)....

Scatchard adds the dimension of another physical who can put up some decent numbers..... It's just that it appears more evident that Tanabe doesnt have much upside remaining and that injury will continue to limit his speed for the rest of his career... which is quite a shame....

 

[CronosCard]

"..And in this corner.."

I didn't know how Tanabe came back from his knee? surgery, but before it, he was said to be the FASTEST skating defenseman, with an unlimited offensive upside, at what 20years old? Good size.. Everything we thought Gretz and everyone wanted!! I've never heard of the guy we obtained from Boston for him, could you all clue me in to these questions about Tanabe and our new center?