After a recent unhappy stint on the ice, the Montreal Canadiens traded Guillaume Latendresse to the Minnesota Wild yesterday for left-winger Benoit Pouliot.
The Quebec-born Latendresse, while still in shock last night, took the time to assess the situation.
"In terms of hockey it's a good thing for me," he said. "It's the personal side that affects me the most. All of my family and friends are here. This is a difficult time."
In 23 games this season, the 22-year-old has racked up a total of only two goals and an assist. Popular with Habs fans, a strained Latendresse said he felt he was slowly losing his place within the club.
"It started when Tom Pyatt and Ryan White came in. It's like I wasn't trusted anymore."
Near the end, he said he felt like he was constantly governed by fear.
"I knew that if I missed a pass, I'd end up on the fourth line," he explained.
With Pouliot, the Habs pick up a promising player who has had a rough start to his NHL career.
The 23-year-old Alfred, Ontario-native, who got his start in hockey with the Sudbury Wolves in the OHL, said the trade will give him a fresh start in the league.
"It actually didn't go well for me early on in the pros," he said. "But it's a totally new start for me.
"I'm even more excited to find myself (playing) with the Canadiens," he said, adding he was a Habs fan growing up.
THREE STARS
San Jose Sharks centre Joe Thornton was named first star of the week yesterday after leading all scorers with eight points last week.
Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price was named second star and Ottawa Senators centre Mike Fisher took the third star.
ICE CHIPS
The Canadiens also announced they are recalling left-winger Sergei Kostitsyn from the AHL Hamilton Bulldogs ... The Columbus Blue Jackets have placed forward Derek Dorsett on injured reserve retroactive to Thursday, when he was injured in a 4-1 win over the Dallas Stars.
