Still thin at 'C' position

I was never sold on the value of Eric Belanger, however the numbers he has posted to date this season were improved and much needed for our on the outside looking in team. He currently is only 3 points away from a career high and he brought energy and jump to the rink in every game and every shift. However, the self proclaimed 'top line' center who was moved to the Capitals today in exchange for a 2nd rounder in this summers draft, was just another ordinary center...a 'dime-a-dozen' position player that can be replaced. He is interchangeable simply because he was playing a line or two above his abilities. He is not a top-line player as he once stated, and it is a stretch to even consider him as a second line center. This is not a knock on Belanger as a player, but instead a shot at the Wild, who once again are being exposed up the middle...a need that has been present for several seasons.

Anyway, the official release is below...

For Immediate Release
Wednesday, March 3, 2010

MINNESOTA WILD ACQUIRES SECOND-ROUND PICK FROM WASHINGTON CAPITALS IN EXCHANGE FOR C ERIC BELANGER

SAINT PAUL/MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – Minnesota Wild General Manager Chuck Fletcher today announced the National Hockey League (NHL) club has acquired a second-round pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft from the Washington Capitals in exchange for center Eric Belanger.

Belanger, 32 (12/16/77), has posted 35 points (13-22=35) in 60 games this season, while ranking seventh in the NHL with a 57.6 faceoff percentage. The 5-foot-11, 187-pound native of Sherbrooke, Quebec, has recorded 293 points (119-174=293) in 617 NHL games in nine NHL seasons with Los Angeles, Carolina, Atlanta and Minnesota.

For more information on single game ticket packages, including this Sunday’s game against the Calgary Flames, visit www.wild.com/ticketpacks.

-- WILD --

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