That’s how Streit experienced the transfer craze in the NHL

Timo Meier (26) is eagerly in demand shortly before the transfer deadline on March 3. In the NHL, the San Jose sharks the Appenzell goalscorerwhose contract expires at the end of the season, to the highest bidder club Be given. According to reports abroad, the New Jersey devilish have the best prospects.

Carolina, Las Vegas, Winnipeg and Washington would also be interested in him. Are no longer in the running probably Toronto (O’Reilly), the New York Rangers (Tarasenko) and New York Islanders (horvat), who have already landed reinforcements. They want in exchange for Meier, who was recently injured sharks apparently one concept choice the 1st round and two talents.

Someone who knows exactly how things are going in the last days, hours and minutes before the trade deadline is NHL legend Mark Streit (45). What came as a shock to him six years ago ended as a “windfall” and with the Stanley Cup victory with the Pittsburgh penguins.

At the time, Streit had just become a father to little Victoria and was happy with his family in Philadelphia. But then events took a sudden turn. Since Streit had a contract stating that he could only be transferred to ten teams he chose for the season, Ron called him in sextuplethe general manager the flyers, to the office on the deadline day. The Calgary flames, who were not on Streit’s list, want the veteran defender and give him a contract after the season. But the Berner refuses, especially since the flames are not title contenders.

«…as if I had never been there»

Also not on his trading list is the Pittsburgh penguinswho are also interested. “I thought I wasn’t good at arch-rivals the flyers on the list,” Streit recalls. “I said sextuple but that I would also be willing to move to Pittsburgh.”

But then the discussion ends. Fifteen minutes before the deadline at 3 p.m., the phone rings. sextuple it is your turn. “He told me he had me for this one Napkin Striker valtteri Philipula And concept choices transferred to Tampa BayAnd thanked me for my commitment to the club.»

Streit is not yet digested when his mobile phone rings again at 2:58 pm. His agent Pat brisson it’s his turn and tells him he’s transferred to Pittsburgh. The Swiss NHL pioneer drives to the stadium to pack his things. ‘My name tag in the cloakroom was already gone as if I had never been there. It’s very special,” he says pensively. Three months later, he wins with the penguins as the only Swiss field player to date to have won the Stanley Cup.

«WWhen the cell phone rings, you’re frightened»

Even though he’s seen a few close transfers in his career and felt the 2017 trade only came as a shock, Streit likes the North American system. “It’s included in the price. Even if you and your family are suddenly ripped out of a social environment.”

The pre-deadline phase creates nervousness in the NHL booths. «every timewhen the mobile phone rings, you shudder.” Streit follows with great interest where Meier will end up. The striker may make a detour with a new club arrives

Source : Blick