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From: goun@cadlac.DEC (Roger H. Goun)
Newsgroups: net.sport.hockey
Subject: Re: Melanson to Minnesota
Message-ID: <159@decwrl.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 6-Dec-84 12:42:53 EST
Article-I.D.: decwrl.159
Posted: Thu Dec  6 12:42:53 1984
Date-Received: Sun, 9-Dec-84 03:24:36 EST
Sender: daemon@decwrl.UUCP
Organization: DEC Engineering Network
Lines: 37

There were several good reasons for the Islanders to trade Melanson:

The three-goalie system had to go.  It created friction, and gave each goalie
too little playing time to remain in his best playing form.

Smith is the "money goalie."  Trading him would substantially reduce the
Isles chances of revenging their loss of the Cup.  His aggressiveness often
perks up the team when they are ahead in a game and in danger of falling
into a defensive shell.  Though I'm not in Bill Torrey's head, I believe that
as long as Smith feels like playing, and plays well, he'll have a place on
the team.

Kelly Hrudey is a comer.  He seems to be a little better each time I see him
start.  His puck handling, once weak, is getting better.  The team seems to
want to win for him.  Giving him more opportunity to play can only improve
him.

Melanson, on the other hand, was expendable.  Though occasionally brilliant,
he is inconsistent, and has always had trouble handling the puck, especially
behind the net.  Though I enjoyed watching him, he made me nervous.

Finally there was the first round draft choice from Minnesota.  The Islanders
were built on the draft; they must continue to take shrewd advantage of
draft choices, especially now that some of their stars are becoming "aging
veterans."

Sign me,

					An Islander fan in exile,

					Roger Goun

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