Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site decwrl.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!bonnie!akgua!sdcsvax!sdcrdcf!hplabs!pesnta!amdcad!decwrl!dec-rhea!dec-cadlac!goun 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 ARPA: goun%cadlac.DEC@decwrl.ARPA UUCP: {allegra, decvax, ihnp4, ucbvax}!decwrl!dec-rhea!dec-cadlac!goun USPS: Digital Equipment Corp., APO-1/B4 100 Minuteman Road; Andover, MA 01810-1098 Tel: (617) 689-1675