Marty Reasoner Traded, Philadelphia Flyers Re-sign Darroll Powe
The Chicago Blackhawks have announced that they have traded forward Marty Resoner to the Florida Panthers in exchange for forward Jeff Taffe. Also today, the Philadelphia Flyers announced they have re-signed forward Darroll Powe to a one-year $725,000 contract. The signing means the Flyers avoid arbitration with the 25 year-old.
Marty Reasoner
Reasoner began his professional career playing for Boston College, where he spent three seasons. Reasoner posted strong numbers at the school, culminating with a final season of 33 goals and 44 assists for 73 points in just 42 games.
His strong performance at the Boston College helped him get drafted by the St. Louis Blues 14 overall in the 1996 National Hockey League entry draft.
Reasoner spent the next two seasons going between St. Louis and their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Worcester Ice Cats. He performed well in the AHL but could not permanently remain in the Blues line-up.
In 2001-02, Reasoner was traded to the Edmonton Oilers. He spent the first season in the AHL before earning a permanent spot with the club in 2002-03, playing in 70 games but only notching 31 points. In Edmonton, Reasoner honed his skills as a defensive forward and became the team’s shutdown centre.
He enjoyed a brief stint with the Boston Bruins in 2005-06, before returning to the Oilers for the next two seasons.
Reasoner was traded to the Atlanta Thrashers in 2008-09, and last year he played in 80 games for the Atlanta club, earning 17 points.
In June, Reasoner was dealt to the Blackhawks in a multi-player deal. Chicago has then since moved him to Florida.
Blackhawks' Perspective
For the Blackhawks, this was another salary dump. Reasoner is set to make just over $1 million next season, and the Blackhawks are far too close to the cap to keep him. They have enough depth up front and losing Reasoner, while picking up Taffe and putting him in the minors, will not hurt the club.
The Hawks have been forced to shed the cap since their Stanley Cup Victory last season. The Reasoner move takes Chicago back below the cap, with Antti Niemi still left to sign.
Florida’s Perspective
For Florida, Taffe was a lifetime AHL player, who will not hurt their line-up in the least, while Reasoner is likely to earn a starting spot. Reasoner will play on the third line filling his usual shutdown centre role. Perhaps more important to the Panthers is that Reasoner is set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, allowing Florida management to take him off their books.
Reasoner is a temporary solution to the third line centre situation. Something the Panthers will look to have solved after next season.
Darroll Powe
Powe started his professional career at Princeton University. He spent four years playing for Princeton and played as team captain in his last season.
Powe’s numbers were not outstanding at University and he was not drafted. The Flyers signed Powe as a free agent and sent him to their AHL affiliate, the Philadelphia Phantoms. Powe played for the Phantoms for two years, earning his keep as a defensive centre man.
He was finally called up to play for the Flyers permanently last season, joining them for 63 games, recording 9 goals and six assists for 15 points.
Flyers' Perspective
Philadelphia should use Powe full time next season as a third or fourth line centre man. Responsible defensively and reliable while on the ice, he puts the finishing touches on the Flyers stacked forward core.
With the Powe signing, the Flyers are set up front, and have acquired enough depth on the front end to be sure they are protected against injuries.
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