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2/27/2008
The deadline bell has rang and the St. Louis Blues have confirmed there are no more trades to announce.
GM Zack Meyer has address the media this afternoon in regards to the approach at this years trade deadline.
"Looking at this team, we knew coming in that we would have to be a bit aggressive at the deadline to acquire some pieces for the future. Making additions by subtraction is never something anyone likes to do, but we needed to establish that foundation of the team. The players that we moved were hard pills to swallow, but after speaking with them, they both understood the business side of things and are just happy to compete for a Cup. Guys like Mayers and Kariya are excellent pieces to any team and I can't thank them enough for everything they provided to this team and I wish them nothing but luck in their future".
When being asked if there was any chance of chasing them as potential free agents, Meyer responded with "We'll see. Never know."
Meyer then address the new incoming players. "Yeah boy oh boy we are looking forward to these guys. Gio...whew. You talk about a guy who can handle both sides of the puck, play PK and PP. We knew that we had a surplus of guys on the blue like that were defensive focused. But, the league is transitioning. Its growing. We needed a guy who could also shoot and be a big play maker for the guys up front and we feel like Gio is going to be that guy who take also take a little bit of pressure off of EJ (Erik Johnson)."
"JVR (van Riemsdyk), was someone that was looked at heavily from the previous draft. From my understanding, a trade just couldn't be worked out at the time. I'm extremely happy to have him in the organization and know that he is going to be looked at to be a core piece to this team. He and (Erik) Johnson played together during the 05-06 USNTDP and had nothing but great things to say about him. JVR can't wait to hit the ice and meet the boys"
The following corresponding moves allows for prospect, David Perron, to be called up and make his NHL debut.
"Nothing more for David to prove down in the AHL. He's proved that he is ready to make the leap. He's strong on the puck with great hands and already a very mature vision out on the ice."
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