David Poilen kommentteja Karalahti kaupasta:
What kind of player is Jere Karalahti?
I’ve watched this player for several years back in Finland. I’ve seen him in the World Championships. I’ve seen him in the NHL. I’ve seen him in the NHL playoffs. I think he is a really good player. I think he is a tough competitor. He’s very physically aggressive. At the age of 26, he’s ready to enter the prime of his career. I’m very bullish that he is going to be a success in Nashville.
Are you concerned about Karalahti’s history?
We’re very aware of the problems that he had five or six years ago back in Finland. In checking with all of our sources, which includes coaches, managers and fellow players, it always comes back to the same comment: that Jere Karalahti is a very good person. Unfortunately, he’s had some troubles in his past. I think anybody that has had an addiction is fighting every day to not fall off the track.
In my conversations with Jere, it’s clear that he is doing everything within his power to not fall off the track. He is in the NHL substance abuse program, and he is checked approximately two or three times every week. So he is constantly being monitered. I think when you in a team environment, your behavior is constantly being monitered (by players and coaches)… We are a team, we are a family, and it is part of our responsibility to take care of the players on our team.
How do you justify trading away your top scorer?
It is difficult. Cliff was a very productive player in all four seasons with us. There is always a time and a place in a player’s and a team’s position where you have to make these tough decisions. Our belief was that, based on balance, we would be better going forward with a young defenseman like Karalahti. Both from the size and physical standpoint, but also with the young forwards that we’ve drafted. They have shown good offensive instincts.
I think we have to remember a couple of things here. Cliff Ronning will be 37 years of age next year. Not to say that he won’t be productive, but the clock is certainly ticking. Secondly, I think everyone should remember—and Cliff deserved this—he was always “number one” in our offensive situations. So now it’s time for other players to get this added responsibility.
It’s certainly a risk but every player move--every transaction--is a risk. Going forward, we feel we’re better balanced with the young defenseman and with our younger forwards getting the opportunity to play more.
Is this a salary-related move?
It was a hockey-related move. This is the first time at the trading deadline that we have been offered anything other than a draft pick for Cliff Ronning. This is a player that could be with us for five to ten years, depending on how consistently he performs. Whereas Cliff, realistically (and with all due respect) is closer to the end of his career.
Does this move open up the potential for adding other players during the summer?
When the season is over, we are going to sit down with the coaches and our scouts and evaluate where we are and what holes we have. We have moved two veteran players and we did not get back as much salary. If it’s available to us, we will explore trades or acquisitions of players that may be free at the end of the year.