Oilers trade Rajala for Tangradi!

Edmonton Oilers News (February 3rd 2011) "Oilers trade prospect Rajala for forward Eric Tangradi"

The Edmonton Oilers have traded Finnish prospect Toni Rajala to the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for forward Eric Tangradi. Rajala is currently playing for the Brandon Wheat Kings of the WHL and has amassed 50 points in 42 games so far. The 180cm tall 19-year old winger is a strong, determined forward with considerable stickhandling skills. The return, Eric Tangradi is a 193cm tall 21 year old American who was drafted 42nd overall in2007. He is a well-rounded player who uses his size to take command of games. He is in his second year of his 3 year entry level deal, which means he has 2 years remaining with a .846M salary. Tangradi is exempt from regular season waivers. In 52 games this season, Tangradi has put up 13 points, one of which was a goal. He is a +1 on the year.

General manager Morgan Kowalski held a brief press conference announcing the trade, where he specified that the Oilers were looking to bring Tangradi in to the lineup slowly if necessary. "We were looking for someone that was ready to being their NHL career, and while I am certain Rajala will end up with an NHL team in the future, we wanted to add a player that could contribute on a more immediate basis, while still keeping young." The trade had been in the works for a long period of time, but it was, according to Kowalski, not finalized merely because the Oilers had lost forward Patrick O'Sullivan to injury recently.