The Carolina Hurricanes have traded prospect Philippe Paradis, 18, to the Toronto Maple Leafs for prospect Jiri Tlusty, 21, according to general manager Jim Rutherford.
"We've accelerated (sp) the timeline of a prospect," Rutherford said.
Rutherford is hopeful Tlusty, a left winger, will be in the team's top six next year. He's much further along in his development than the younger Paradis, also a left winger.
Tlusty, drafted in 2006, has spent most of the last three and a half seasons time with the Toronto Marlies of the AHL. This season he has eight goals and seven assists in 19 games. Last season, with the Marlies, he appeared in 66 games, scoring 25 goals and 41 assists. In 105 games with the Marlies, Tlusty has 43 goals and 60 assists.
Tlusty has played in the NHL since the Toronto selected him with the 13th pick of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft. In the 2007-08 season, he appeared in 58 games with the Leafs, getting 10 goals and six assists. In 2008-09 season, he had four assists and no goals in 14 games with the Leafs. This year, he's seen action in only two NHL games and he earned no points. Overall, he's appeared in 74 games for the Leafs, with 10 goals and 10 assists.
"He hasn't done it at the NHL level, but he was put into that situation at a very young age," Rutherford said.
Paradis, who the Hurricanes took with the 27th pick in the first round of last June's draft, is playing for the Shawinigan Cataractes in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, where he's been the last two seasons. There he's scored eight goals and 11 assists in 26 games this season. Rutherford called him "a good, but still very young prospect."
Javier Serna has covered sports for The News & Observer since 2007. He previously covered growth for the North Raleigh News, and sports at The Truth in Elkhart, Ind. E-mail 
Comments
Blow it up JR
Fri, 12/04/2009 - 17:20 — Hockeydad92Ok JR let's keep it rolling...... Blow it up. Find us a contender that needs a Ray Whitney and is willing to cut loose a young starlet in the process. Maybe even consider Matt Cullen or Jussi for some younger talent or picks. If anyone would bite on LaRose or Sergei then sell them for a prospect packaged with a goalie. Then move down to phase three and move out A Ward, Alberts, Yelle, Tommy K and Nick for any picks you can get and then final phase move Cole for some new zam blades or tee shirt guns. Lastly JR you need to ask Brindy to take his rightful seat in your office with Ronnie and Glen doing more important things than being on the ice. Your core of talent remains with Staal, Cam, Ruutu, Sutter, Gleason, Corvo, Pitkanen, and the some of the Rats. The bright side of this year is we are going to get a heck of a draft pick, down side is it was not last year.
Value...
Sat, 12/05/2009 - 11:19 — hockeyhickI agree, it is time to shake it up. But I certainly disagree with the idea of trading Cullen or Alberts.
Cullen is, and has been for some time, one of the most consistent players on this team with both production and effort. Depth down the middle-Staal, Cullen, and Sutter. I wouldn't mess with that trifecta unless it was a SWEETHEART of a deal, and that's not likely to happen right now. Is his value to the team greater than his trade value? I think it is.
Alberts-young, big, physical, decent speed for his size, and a pretty decent hockey head. Has NHL experience. You can't trade away ALL of your experience. He has the unique combination of youth and experience. I wouldn't consider him a "core" player, but again I think his value to the team right now is greater than his return in a trade. The same argument could be made for Tom K.
I think the players with the highest trade value are Corvo (once healed), A Ward, Whitney and Scott Walker. But the highest return for any of these wouldn't come until closer to the trade deadline. The only one that i think would draw any interest right now would have been Corvo, but with the injury I think he'll be here until the march deadline. I could see a team like the Islanders having strong interest in a players like Walker and A Ward to add some grit and leadership at the deadline if they continue their push towards a playoff spot. Any contender out there would love to add a Whitney, but again, more so at the deadline than mid-season. Forget about anyone having any interest in Samsonov, Wallin, LaRose or Yelle-ain't gonna happen. The only one in that group that may snag ANY return would be Rosey, but that might even be a stretch.
But rest assured-if JR has Tlusty and Boychuck penciled in as top-6 forwards, and it sure seems like he does, then there will be more than one odd man out.
One last thing-I have always been a staunch Staal supporter. But if he isn't willing to leave it all on the ice EACH AND EVERY SHIFT starting TONIGHT, then I would have the "C" put on the #6 jersey next year, not the #12.
Vancouver
Fri, 12/04/2009 - 11:00 — GoShelfI would hope JR and Mike Gillis are talking. Both teams have needs, especially Vancouver, their coaches and mgmt need to make the playoffs a lot worse than we do. I'd be more than happy to give them Ray Whitney & a 2010 draft pick for one of their youngsters. They have 4 or 5 great players coming through their system. The one I'd love to see in a Canes jersey would be Cody Hodgson, although he seems somewhat untouchable.
Editing?
Thu, 12/03/2009 - 22:43 — cpaguys"We've excelerated the timeline of a prospect," Rutherford said.
I'm a math guy, but shouldn't that word be spelled "accelerated"?
Excellent (plays well) +
Fri, 12/04/2009 - 13:20 — CaniacGuyExcellent (plays well) + Accelerated (plays soon) = Excelerated
CaniacGuy
Fri, 12/04/2009 - 15:10 — ammy144Good one!!!!
N&O can't afford spellcheck.
Fri, 12/04/2009 - 03:01 — imayagainknowantonN&O can't afford spellcheck.
Who is the Odd Man Out (or Odd Men Out)
Thu, 12/03/2009 - 21:23 — abramsdougWhitney does seem to be the player who would logically be the odd man out. He could be instrumental to a team making a serious Stanley Cup run. He has a very significant salary and his contract ends this season. He is, however, a coach on the ice and is one of the real leaders in the locker room. I'd hate to see Whitney leave; but there are many arguments supporting his being traded -- assuming he waives his NTC.
Start moving the Vets
Thu, 12/03/2009 - 20:40 — heelzfanThis trade COULD be a good move, but who knows. What JR needs to be doing is moving as many of the veterans with big contracts as he can. Now is the time to stockpile as many good, young prospects, and draft picks as possible.
Move as many as you can, outside of the core players (Staal, Jokinen, Sutter, Gleason, Cullen, Pitkanen, Alberts, Ruutu, C. Ward). I love Ray Whitney, but at his age, and impending FA status, he will most likely price himself out of Carolina.
well
Thu, 12/03/2009 - 20:29 — esteban1949In time we shall see won't we ...so that's means he's going to the rats right away ?
Go Canes !!
good move?
Thu, 12/03/2009 - 20:02 — greg_98wow , this almost as exciting as the yelle aquistion almost as good as getting A ward ...try not to fall on yourselfs congradulating JR
Yourselfs?
Fri, 12/04/2009 - 07:18 — NetMinderHmmmm.
wow
Thu, 12/03/2009 - 19:56 — HockeydogSo the question here is which player is ultimately seen as having the bigger upside?
Time will tell if this was a smart decision or a move to show he's on the job.
Don Cherry likes "lusty", as he calls him. If JR could pull off a miracle and move some useless vet I think Tlusky would jump over Boychuk as a call up.
finally!
Thu, 12/03/2009 - 18:46 — pauly11now that is a good move JR!
Tlusty
Thu, 12/03/2009 - 18:29 — abramsdougI think this trade will work out well for the Hurricanes. Tlusky is reported to have excellent speed and great hands. I would be happier if he were 6'3", but at 6' 209 lbs, he is not small. Given the fact that the Hurricanes have Sutter, Boychuk, Bowman, Tlusty, and the entry draft choice (likely to be #1 through #5) on the Hurricanes team next year, it is a clear sign that Jim Rutherford has begun the transitioning process now. I think more trades are coming.
With top nine forwards next year comprised of Staal, Sutter, Ruutu, Jokinen, Sutter, Boychuk, Bowman, Tlusty, and a draft choice --- hopefully Taylor Hall, Tyler Seguin, oir Kirill Kabanov, no more than two and perhaps one of Cole, Whitney, and Cullen, it looks like some familiar faces are not going to be on next year's team.
By your analysis it would
Thu, 12/03/2009 - 20:01 — SkylinerBy your analysis it would seem that Whitney would be the odd-man out. My reasoning is that Tlusty is a left winger as is Whitney, Jokinen, Samsonov and Conboy who is now exiled in Albany. They surely wouldn't move Jokinen out and it would be more likely Whitney because of his age and the $$$$ he would command.
Cullen is a center and one of our key players. I'd suspect any team wiould have to give up the farm to get him and that won't happen. Another possibility is right winger Scott Walker ( because of age and his propensity for injury) would be moved and position assignments reordered.
It has been my experience that a good athlete can interchange positions (most of the time) but of course a coach would want a right shooter on the right side, ditto left.
I feel kinda good about this move. Coach Maurice, I think, known Tulsty's play since he comes from Toronto and there may be a reason beyond the obvious why this deal was made.
And the thought of a first through third draft pick is appealing and perhaps a lynchpin toward a winning season.
Mr. Rutherford will surely try to make positive moves. He must recognize fans cannot realistically expect a Cup every year, but a minimal expectation is when we're paying $80 bucks a ticket per game we do expect a competitive team.
Somehow I still find myself really enjoying being in the RBC Center even though our record is poor. What the hey, I'm a fan and looking forward to 1:30 Saturday. See 'ya there!
That's It?
Thu, 12/03/2009 - 17:05 — WAStoutI was expecting a little more this week, J.R.
i.e. Bye-Bye Mo....but guess not. I should get over it. Since you have faith in him
Nice Looking Trade
Thu, 12/03/2009 - 17:01 — scomilNot sure why the Leafs gave up on this guy. He's a point-per-game scorer in AHL, and never really got to play with good players when he was called up.
I saw him play at the RBC
Thu, 12/03/2009 - 16:57 — Otag1I saw him play at the RBC last year, I like him. He had 3 assists that night and was showing up in positive ways all over the ice, alot of jump, he can skate and was not afraid to get physical. I believe this was a good trade for us. Most likely will help both clubs as Toronto is in need at the center position.
so we're hoping that a guy
Thu, 12/03/2009 - 16:34 — bppackso we're hoping that a guy who has been in the AHL for 3 years, couldn't make a team as bad as Toronto, and has 8 goals is going to be a top 6 forward for us next year???? will we be THAT bad next year???
He hasn't been in the AHL
Fri, 12/04/2009 - 03:00 — imayagainknowantonHe hasn't been in the AHL for most of the last three-and-a-half seasons. That is simply bad reporting.
He put up 66 points in 66 AHL games last season as a 20-year old. Boychuk is 20 this season and isn't at that pace, yet nobody has a problem penciling him as a big part of the future...
Yes he has...
Fri, 12/04/2009 - 09:53 — richardfocOver the last 3 1/2 seasons Tlusty has played 105 games in the AHL and 74 games in the NHL. I would say the reporting is accurate but would it make you happier if Javier said he "has spent most of the last one and a half seasons time with the Toronto Marlies of the AHL" since he has played 85 games in the AHL and 16 games in the NHL during that time?
Good Trade
Thu, 12/03/2009 - 17:01 — penaltykiller74I don't think it is a matter of him not being able to make the team. Its probably management.
Look at Boychuck... he's good enough, but for some reason gets no time on the ice. In fact their AHL stats this year are almost identical.
JR is starting to do his job, and on paper at least, this is a good one.
One piece of the puzzle
Thu, 12/03/2009 - 16:27 — hockey101OK, all you Canes fans JR is starting to get things rolling. Glad he made this trade. This gives us more fire power for next year.