Just got word that Daryl Bootland has been traded to the Anaheim Ducks for Matt Keith.
Didn’t really see this one coming, but does it mean that there is something bigger in the works?
Matt Keith’s profile on TSN
Sad to see Boots go as he was a scrappy player and he was one of the first players I got to interview, but it looks like Keith may be a bit of a better fit due to his offensive upside. Time will tell what exactly is going on here, but I will be sure to keep you updated!
Update:
Per the Islanders Website:
The New York Islanders have acquired 24-year old right wing Matt Keith from the Anaheim Mighty Ducks in exchange for forward Darryl Bootland. Keith, who was with the Portland Pirates of the AHL prior to the trade, will report to the Islanders’ American Hockey League affiliate, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers.
Keith has played in 34 games with Portland this season and scored five goals and added five assists for 10 points. He has appeared in 24 career NHL games, all with the Chicago Blackhawks, over the course of three seasons. Keith has scored two goals with three assists for five points. The 6-2, 200 pond native of Edmonton, AB has spent parts of three seasons in the NHL. In 315 career games in the AHL, the Edmonton native has scored 74 goals, collected 88 assists and picked up 242 minutes in penalties. He was selected by Chicago in the second round in the 2001 NHL Draft.
The 26-year old Bootland was in his first season with in the Islanders organization. He played in four games with the Islanders and recorded an assist before being assigned to Bridgeport. With the Sound Tigers, Bootland scored two goals with eight assists for ten points in 28 games.
Yeah, yeah. I hate trade time. I don’t like change!
Interesting little trade. I am curious if you think this will lead to something bigger and if so, what?
These minor league swaps are always head-scratchers. The Ducks just needed more muscle depth? The Islanders see something in Keith? Or just an exchange of needs at the AHL level?