Hedlund and Barney In, Helbling and Johansson Out

Hershey Bears (35-13-5-5, 80 points)

at

Albany River Rats (26-25-2-2, 56 points)

Television: B2Networks

Radio: Bears Network (100.1 FM, 1490-AM, 960-AM)

Gametime: 7:00 PM ET

Hershey's roster will have some new faces when they travel to the Times Union Center in Albany to take on the River Rats Wednesday night. Gone are defenseman Timo Helbling, who was part of the Capitals' trade of Danius Zubrus to Buffalo, and Jonas Johansson, who was sent to the Grand Rapids Griffins on loan in exchange for Scott Barney (Pictured). The Bears will also acquired Andy Hedlund as part of the Capitals trade with the Ottawa Senators that involved former Hershey captain Lawrence Nycholat.
(Photo Courtesy of www.moosehockey.com)

Barney, a 6'4" 225 pound forward who will turn 28-years old next month, is a former 30-goal scorer in the AHL and has spent time in the NHL with the Los Angeles Kings and the Atlanta Thrashers. In 40 games this season with the Griffins he has 4 goals and 8 assists to go along with 26 penalty minutes and a -1 defensive rating.

The 28-year old Hedlund has spent his entire season so far with the Binghamton Senators, where he played against the Bears as recently as this past Sunday's game at the Giant Center. In 56 games this season he has accumulated 6 goals and 21 assists to go along with 84 penalty minutes and a -6 defensive rating. The 6'2" 216 pound defenseman should provide Hershey with the veteran leadership they have lacked since losing Nycholat to the NHL in December.

Barney's career statistics from The Internet Hockey Database:

			Regular Season					Playoffs
Season	Team	Lge	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1995-96	Peterborough Petes	OHL	60	22	24	46	52	24	6	8	14	38
1997-98	Peterborough Petes	OHL	62	44	32	76	60	4	1	0	1	6
1998-99	Peterborough Petes	OHL	44	41	26	67	80	5	4	1	5	4
2000-01	Did Not Play	Ind	Statistics Unavailable
2002-03	Manchester Monarchs	AHL	57	13	5	18	74	--	--	--	--	--
2003-04	Manchester Monarchs	AHL	44	20	14	34	28	6	2	3	5	8
2005-06	Chicago Wolves	AHL	53	32	19	51	54	--	--	--	--	--
2006-07	Grand Rapids Griffins*	AHL	40	4	8	12	26
2006-07	Hershey Bears	AHL	Stats Unavailable
	NHL Totals		27	5	6	11	4

Hedlund's career statistics from The Internet Hockey Database:

			Regular Season					Playoffs
Season	Team	Lge	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1997-98	Fargo-Moorhead Ice Sharks	USHL	56	4	12	16	135	4	0	4	4	0
2000-01	Minnesota State U - Mankato	NCAA	38	6	6	12	64
2001-02	Trenton Titans	ECHL	2	0	0	0	0	6	0	0	0	6
2002-03	Binghamton Senators	AHL	59	1	7	8	48	10	0	0	0	0
2004-05	Binghamton Senators	AHL	75	2	13	15	103	6	0	2	2	25
2006-07	Binghamton Senators*	AHL	56	6	21	27	84
2006-07	Hershey Bears	AHL	Stats Unavailable

Trade Analysis So Far

To
Richard Zednik to NY for a 2nd Round Pick

Well you have to give General Manager credit, he once again got good value out of a spare part. Last year he traded Jeff Freisen to Anaheim for a 2nd round pick after acquiring him for a 3rd round pick over the summer. He pulled off the same manuever this season after acquiring Zednik from the Canadians for a 3rd round pick in the off-season. However, the last thing this team really needs is more draft picks. I would have liked to of seen the Caps try to pry center Robert Nielsson from the Islanders, even if it took a mid-round pick in addition to Zednik in order to complete.

ToFor
Lawrence Nycholat to Ottawa for Andy Hedlund and a 6th Round Pick

A move that will provide a boost to Hershey's blue line for their playoff run. Washington determined that they would not be able to pass Nycholat through waivers so they did the next best thing. In moving him on to Ottawa, they got a late round pick and a veteran defenseman that is already at the AHL level so they don't have to worry about losing him through waivers. Hershey will be grateful. Being that he's 28 and has yet to play in the NHL, tt's unlikely that he will see time with the Caps unless injuries force the issue. His career numbers:

			Regular Season					Playoffs
Season	Team	Lge	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1997-98	Fargo-Moorhead Ice Sharks	USHL	56	4	12	16	135	4	0	4	4	0
1999-00	Minnesota State U - Mankato	NCAA	36	4	2	6	58
2000-01	Minnesota State U - Mankato	NCAA	38	6	6	12	64
2001-02	Minnesota State U - Mankato	NCAA	37	5	10	15	48
2001-02	Trenton Titans	ECHL	2	0	0	0	0	6	0	0	0	6
2002-03	Trenton Titans	ECHL	13	1	2	3	14	--	--	--	--	--
2002-03	Binghamton Senators	AHL	59	1	7	8	48	10	0	0	0	0
2003-04	Binghamton Senators	AHL	80	4	19	23	108	2	0	0	0	2
2004-05	Binghamton Senators	AHL	75	2	13	15	103	6	0	2	2	25
2005-06	Krefeld Penguins	DEL	52	12	22	34	100	5	0	2	2	6
2006-07	Binghamton Senators	AHL	56	5	21	26	84

Two down, perhaps two to go in Zubrus and Heward. Stay tuned.