LAPIERRE HEADS TO VANCOUVER
The Vancouver Canucks acquired forwards Maxim Lapierre and MacGregor Sharp from the Anaheim Ducks for Joel Perrault and a third-round pick in the 2012 draft.
What does it give the Vancouver Canucks
Lapierre is potentially the fourth-line center the Canucks have needed all season long. He's a pest to play against, but also lacks discipline and tends to grate on his own teammates at times. If he can focus his energy on badgering the opposition ONLY, Lapierre may become a key component to the Canucks's Stanley Cup run this spring. Perrault was AHL fodder for the Canucks, so they didn't give up much here. The pick is for 2012, which makes sense because Vancouver's time is now. Sharp is added depth for the Canucks, though he'll likely remain in the AHL.
What does it give the Anaheim Ducks
It didn't take long for Lapierre to wear out his welcome in Anaheim, so GM Bob Murray decided to get a solid future asset (third rounder) and a depth forward (Perrault) in return. Lapierre started out as Anaheim's third-line center when acquired from Montreal earlier this season, but wound up on the wing before long. Brandon McMillan's emergence as the third pivot basically rendered Lapierre expendable. Don't look for Perrault to be much of a factor unless the injury bug really hits.
Fantasy impact
