Blue Jackets Acquire Minor-Leaguer, D Ratchuk, From Flyers
October 20th, 2009 | by sweetbob |
Columbus and Philadelphia swapped minor leaguers today. The Blue Jacket sent former 2nd-rounder pick, RW Stefan Legein to the Flyers for D Michael Ratchuck. This trade may not affect either team for a few seasons, but got the better deal?
The Blue Jackets farm system is loaded with offensive talent. Their farm system lacks the kind of defensemen that have a huge upside. They got some upside with Ratchuck and he could possibly see some time with the pro team if the team gets hit with a few injuries. He was a great player at Michigan State and the Blue Jackets think that they got the better deal. He was sent to their AHL affiliate, the Syracuse Crunch.
Stefan Legein has had a rough go since he was drafted in 2007. He’s only 20 years old, but he quit the game of hockey for most of last year before rejoining the Columbus farm system. He said that he suffered from burnout and returned to the team out of hockey shape. When he was drafted, he could have been a first-rounder, but fell into the 2nd. He is a smaller RW, but he has a huge upside. The Flyers hope their move will payoff in the end.
The safest move is Ratchuck, but if Legein gets his game back, the Flyers could have a possible 1st or 2nd line talent. Only time will tell who’s the winner in this trade.
Here’s the video of Stefan Legein when he was drafted by the Blue Jackets in 2007
Tags: michael ratchuck, stefan legein
