Eagles Bolster Blueline

(AP) Colorado

The Colorado Eagles acquired veteran blueliner Wade Redden (left) from the New York Transit to bolster their blueline over the second half of the season. Going east to the big apple for Wade is rearguard Lasse Kukkonen (right) along with the Eagles 2nd round pick in next season's free agent draft.
The pick and Kukkonen was a decent price for the vet Redden. Upon his arrrival he was paired with Rafalski on the 2nd line defense pair. As a result of the trade, rookie Winger-Defenseman Dustin Byfuglien was sent to the club's minor league affiliate Utah Grizzlies of the RSHL.
Byfuglien had been with the parent club most of the season after proving himself early in the season in Utah. However, the coaching staff feels Redden will help an already talent rich defense corps more so than Dustin at this point in his IHL development. Dustin was inserted at 4th line RW and 2nd line left defense on the power play unit upon his arrival in Utah.
The other 5 blueliners for the Eagles are Scott Niedermayer, John-Michael Liles, Brian Rafalski, Jan Hejda and Scott Hannan. A fairly formidable defense corps.
After 45 games the Eagles are in 2nd place in the Shore Division, 10 points back of the division leading Gotland Gladiators and 4 points ahead of the Southwest Scorpions and Hartford Wolfpack. The Eagles hope to close the gap on the Gladiators by the end of the season and the addition of Redden should help the club towards that goal.
Currently leading the club in scoring is Shane Doan (left) with 70 points (36g 34a) which places him in a tie for 3rd in the entire league with Prospal of Gotland. Joe Thornton (right) of Gotland leads the league in scoring with 80 points to date with 25 goals and 55 assists.

Reported by Grizz Adams