Doug returns from his summer vacation, and the Dudes try and catch up on all the news.  Setoguchi, Mayers, Joslin, Kovalchuk, and Niemi are all discussed.  After some emails, the Dudes finally reveal who they are going to follow in the EPL, a matter of some controversy.

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After  a few days of rumors, TSN is now reporting the finalization of a deal between the Sharks and Jamal Mayers.  Mayers, a big forward who has played most of his career with the Blues, is clearly meant to be a physical presence on the fourth line, probably with Scott Nichol.  For $600k, this is an upgrade over Brad Staubitz.  Mayers hasn’t played an AHL game since 1999, so those that would want to paint this guy as a marginal NHLer aren’t being accurate.  His best year points wise was only two years ago with St. Louis, 12 goals and 15 assists.  And he has traditionally played quite a bit of PK time, not much this past season, but 1:46/game with the Leafs in 08-09, and 3rd on the team in SH ice time with the Blues in 07-08.

I don’t have any problem with Mayers as a player, and we could use some toughness with Staubitz gone.  But what about Frazer McLaren?  I’m still a big booster of this guy, and desperately hope that this signing doesn’t relegate McLaren to the AHL again this year.  McLaren did have 6 points in 23 games for the big club last year (a slightly better scoring rate than Mayers) and had 15 points in 52 games for the Worchester Sharks, with some PK time as well.  It might not be the move I would make for this team, but it certainly fits Doug Wilson’s pattern of signing character veterans.  Either that or he’s going for the All-NHL Eyebrow team, and McLaren just doesn’t cut it.

DW's secret strategy

Is there ocean in Toronto? Suck it up. You're moving.

The details are still unfolding, but it appears the Flames have traded Phaneuf, Sjostrom and d-man Keith Aulie (Calgary’s 3rd ranked prospect by Hockeyfuture.com) for forwards Matt Stajan, Niklas Hagman, Jamal Mayers and versatile defenseman Ian White.

Holy Schnikes! What a deal.

On the surface, I totally don’t get it for Toronto. They already have a ton of hard hitting D and they need help up front, and now they just traded their 2nd and 5th leading scorers. Ummm….okay….There must be something else happening here for Toronto. They must have a lead on dealing Komisarek or Beauchemin for a high scoring forward otherwise this is majorly puzzling. I do like them picking up Aulie, another good young player for them to develop with Kadri and company.

For Calgary, they change the image of their team instantly and acquire two very solid secondary scorers, which has been a major problem for them. They just got deeper and more talented on their 2nd line and this certainly makes more sense than holding out hope by dealing Phaneuf for Kovy and praying he doesn’t leave for Russia. Getting Ian While in this deal was the key, he is a very underrated player and can provide the production Phaneuf was giving them for much cheaper.

I have to give this one to Calgary, pending the next move by Burke which has to involve moving another d-man. Since they just gave up scoring, might they be interested in a Clowe for Beauchemin swap that Mike and I have been touting for months?

What’s your take?

UPDATE: ESPN IS REPORTING JASON BLAKE AND VESA TOSKALA TO ANAHEIM FOR JEAN SEBASTIAN GIGUERE.