Lauri Korpikoski, who spent two full seasons in Hartford as well as parts of two others, as well as a season with the New York Rangers, was traded by the club that drafted him 19th overall in the 2004 draft to the Phoenix Coyotes for forward Enver Lisin.
Korpikoski spoke with Howlings early Tuesday morning saying that he was, “Shocked when I first heard about it.” He went on to tell Howlings he had hoped to stay in New York, but would, “Make the most out of the great opportunity that I’m being given.”
The Finnish forward goes to the west coast and joins other ex-Pack/Rangers Nigel Dawes, Petr Prucha and the two winningest goaltenders in Pack history, Jason LaBarbara and Al Montoya, In the minor league system there are ex-Pack Dylan Reese, Alex Bourret, and Francis Lessard.
Coyotes GM, Don Maloney ran the Hartford Wolf Pack as their GM from 1997 to 2002 and led the Rangers draft efforts in selecting many of the players that he’s traded for with the organization.
(Photo courtesy of media.photobucket.com)
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Show CommentsApparently this guy has a lot of speed and upside offensive potential. Hope he likes New York and Sather can sign him. Looks like Maloney could not.How about Anisimov, Grachev,and this guy in New York playing together at some point.Hope it is soon.
According to the Russian hockey website Allhockey.ru, Coyotes forward Enver Lisin has been offered a contract in the KHL by Atlant Mytischi. Lisin, a restricted free agent on July 1st.
Maloney has cut Bourret loose Mitch.
Mitch-Potter signs 585000 i believe. Is that a 2 way or 1 way.
Gotta be a 2 way – no way he’d get a 1 way with so few NHL games at this stage of his career.
I can’t believe even Maloney gave up on Bourret. I am sorry to see Korpikoski go, I think that like many Ranger prospects, they aren’t used in the best manner that suits their abilities before they are jettisoned. A season of mostly 4th line duty under Tom Renney and some more responsibility under Tortorella is not enough to get a good idea of what this guy could bring. I’m sure it was a pride issue on Sather’s part, not liking being “negotiated” with by way of the KHL rumors. Sad to see him go.
Korpikoski was never going to be a major scoring threat. The accuracy of his shot has always been horrible and it has not gotten any better during his 3 years of pro hockey. I am sad to see him go but the Rangers need points.