NHL: Keith Ballard Traded to the Vancouver Canucks!!!
Keith Ballard seems to be in the low-risk category, as the former Panther has been traded too Vancouver Canucks. It, indeed, has been a remarkable day for the Canadians as Canada day is just around the corner and with them acquiring one of the best defence players in NHL history. Besides Ballard, Panthers top forward Victor Oreskovich was drafted this season too by the Canucks.
Defenseman Ballard made his debut as a professional hockey player in 05’. Started of playing for the Phoenix Coyotes where he scored 39 points in his rookie season. Ballard’s astral performance throughout the years has made him finish 2nd amongst other Panther defensemen. He has a record of 88 penalty minutes, 8 goals with 20 assists in 82 games from 2009-10.
He represented United States thrice at the World Championship, in 2004, 2007, and 2008.
The motivated player is extremely happy with the trade off; He has never made it to the playoff finals in the 5 years with NHL. His best year with the National Hockey League was probably his first. He was ready for a change and now he has got it, and is quite determined he is going to the right place. Ballard said he wants to play a game where he is covered up with pressure. He referred to Vancouver as a ‘fish bowl’ and that he has never been more excited in his life but now.
Ballard said he is thankful because he has spent 5 years in non-traditional markets, he needed a change and this is exactly what he needed. According to the player moving to Vancouver would be good for him and it will help him energize his game, the ambience of the team exhilarates him.
“I think it can fuel my game. I’ve been thinking about every time I’ve played in Vancouver. The place is packed. It’s loud. I love it. It’s something I am really looking forward to.” said Ballard.
He is not the only one excited; the Canucks cannot wait to start this year’s playoffs with the talented defence player. Canucks general manager exclaimed they did not give up much to obtain the player and they are quite content with their pick; the fact of the matter is Vancouver is quite ecstatic about Ballard joining the team, he not only is a fast player but he is quite durable and dependable said Vancouver Canucks defence player, Kevin Bieksa.
Canucks did not surrender much in their first round pick, although they lost Michael Grabner, the franchises scouts were certain that there were not many prospects to begin with. The team luckily managed to convince the Panthers to trade in with Steve Bernier for Keith Ballard.
Michael Grabner was the only promising prospect in the NHL Drafting this year which Canucks let go off, but Ballard in their eyes was a much more promising player. The team certainly did not need a soft goal scorer, they needed Ballard for certain, and he is quick on his feet, a fast scorer and known to play better under pressure, a quality only top player consist.
In previous seasons Ballard has scored over 30 points and is moving up on the chart drastically by becoming one of the best and high-scoring defence players in NHL. Keith said he can contribute more and he definitely thinks there is room for more.
“But I couldn’t be happier to be going to one of the best teams in the NHL where winning the Stanley Cup is the expectation” said Keith.
Although the player thought he played quite awful in last year’s season, he completely blamed it on his previous teams Florida Panthers and Phoenix Coyotes for being bad teams.
Ballard said in one of his interviews: “I just didn’t have that good a year. It was a frustrating year. It’s been five years, and I haven’t been in the playoffs yet. It’s something I’m looking forward to……… When you are getting traded, it’s out of your control on where you will be going.”
There already have been quite a lot of questions being raised on what kind of a player he would be in the following years. For the time being, the prospect of Ballard looks good as the player is quite focused and is happy with the draft. Moreover, he is already contemplating on taking his new team to the Stanley Cup. But I guess only time will tell, what he has to offer to his new team.
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