Panthers, Stars Swap Struggling Prospects

Trade Details:

The Dallas Stars acquired Angelo Esposito from the Florida Panthers for Ondrej Roman.

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Dallas Stars Acquire:

C. Angelo Esposito Age: 22 Height: 6-2 Weight: 190 CONTRACT:  Cap-Hit: $916,667 Expires: 2012 (RFA) Important Facts: -Has a Two-Way Clause in his contract ($65,000 AHL) -Drafted in the first round of the 2007 draft (20th overall) -This year he was demoted to the ECHL for the first time -Has been traded three times in his career:  ---Penguins to Thrashers ---Winnipeg Jets (Thrashers) to Panthers ---Panthers to Stars

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Florida Panthers Acquire:

F. Ondrej Roman Age: 22 Height: 6-0 Weight: 185 CONTRACT:  Cap-Hit: $750,000 Expires: 2012 (RFA) Important Facts: -Has a Two-Way Clause in his contract ($60,000 AHL) -Played 53 games in the Czech Extraliga (pro-league in the Czech Republic)

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Analysis:

This deal is all about giving these guys fresh starts and hoping they succeed in a new environment. Both players were drafted in 2007, Esposito in the 1st round and Roman in the 5th round. Unfortunately neither have experienced much success since that time. Angelo Esposito has had some bad luck, injury wise, but in his 86 games in the American Hockey League he had only 22 points. This season he had 5 points in 16 games in the AHL which was deemed as too little, and was demoted to the ECHL where he put up one point in three games. That lack of success is a common theme when looking at Ondrej Roman's information as well. In 96 AHL games he's put 27 points, and this season he had a 6 game stint in the ECHL where he put up 6 points. Although the point total is underwhelming, Roman's game is more versatile than Espositos so he could possibly make the NHL in a variety of ways. As of right now I would not count on either making the NHL permanently, but if I had to choose which player has a better chance I'd say it was Roman.