Another one of the NHL's longest serving players, Carolina's Glen Wesley, has called it quits after a career that has spanned 20 seasons, and over 1600 NHL games (Regular season and playoffs).Given that Wesley is approaching the big 4-0, and has been rumored to be retiring for the past few years, today's announcement is no surprise.
Just like buddy Ron Francis, Wesley will remain with the Hurricanes in the role of "Director of Defensemen Development". Who comes up with these titles?
"There were a lot of memories, alot of great things that I can reflect on," said Wesley. "But I think for right now I'm going to enjoy time with the family and hopefully improve my golf game."
"It's [Director's role] a new role that the organization has given to me and I think it's something I'm going to enjoy in working with the younger defensemen," said Wesley. "Hopefully I'll be able to help them in different perspectives."
Besides being quite easy to notice with his fiery red hair, Wesley will always be remembered, by myself at least, for being part of the most lopsided deals of all time.
Back in 1994, Wesley was coming off of a career 58-point season with the Boston Bruins, and the Bruins, notorious cheapwads that they are, weren't willing to give Wesley good money to play for them.
In came the Hartford Whalers, who were hellbent on getting themselves a quality D-man.
The price paid to Boston? Three first round draft picks! The picks turned out to be Kyle McLaren (1995), Johnathan Aitken (1996) and Sergei Samsonov (1997).
While Wesley has provided Carolina/Hartford many good years of solid surface, he never once came close to putting up the good numbers he did with the Bruins. Wesley broke the 30-point plateau only ONCE after his departure from the Bruins, while the Beantowners got themselves two talented players to build a franchise around.
Still, let's not end on a sour note. Wesley was a solid component of the Canes' cup run a few years back, and their Cinderella run of 2002. You can't blame the guy because Hartford paid too much to get him.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
6-05-2008 @ 3:55PM
Scotty Hockey said...
I have to disagree with you Jes, if only because of the teams involved. Boston has made one great draft pick in what, 15 years? So Hartford gave up three players who will likely never get the numbers that Wesley has, primarily the No. 1 - as in Stanley Cups. Wesley solidified their blueline for years as the Whale and the Canes and became one of the elders in the NHL. Meanwhile both McLaren and Samsonov provide more headaches than they are worth (jury is still out on Sergei with the Canes, but that is something else) and Aiken is in Europe and won't likely make it back.
You want lopsided trades, as they mentioned several times last night, Kris Draper for a dollar was lopsided. Anson Carter for Jaromir Jagr was lopsided. This was just stupid ... for the Bruins considering they suck at scouting ...
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6-06-2008 @ 2:12AM
hugh g rection said...
Wesley was part of two of the most lopsided trades...he was also part of the canucks trade of Cam Neely for Barry Pederson...it makes me wince everytime I hear Neely's and Wesley's name.
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