The NHL trading deadline has placed some new Falcons in the fold ahead of their matchup at Connecticut Friday.
Friday's time for Blake Parlett to don a different jersey in the Springfield-Connecticut rivalry.
SPRINGFIELD – Defenseman Blake Parlett played 10 games for the Connecticut Whale against the Springfield Falcons this season. Now, he’ll be playing for them as they attempt to clinch a spot in the American Hockey League playoffs.
Parlett, a 23-year-old from Bracebridge, Ontario, joined the Falcons for practice Thursday after being traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets organization by the New York Rangers.
He’ll be skating against his former teammates Friday night, when the Falcons face the Whale in Hartford.
“It is kind of weird – the last game I played was against Springfield (March 30),” he said.
“I was kind of shocked when they told me I was traded. I wasn’t really expecting it, but I’m happy to be here with this team and this organization.”
Parlett became part of a major deal Wednesday at the NHL trading deadline. The centerpiece is Marian Gaborik, a 31-year-old All-Star right wing who has 333 goals and 333 assists in 757 NHL games.
New Blue Jackets general manager Karmo Kekalainen made the deal for Gaborik, which also included Parlett and another defenseman, former Falcon Steven Delisle.
The Jackets paid a price – center Derick Brassard, winger Derek Dorsett, prized young defenseman John Moore and a 2014 sixth-round draft pick. Moore played for the Rangers Wednesday night and scored the final goal of a 6-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The Jackets also acquired center Blake Comeau from Calgary for a 2013 sixth-round draft pick; and goaltender Michael Leighton, plus a 2015 third-rounder, from Philadelphia in exchange for goaltender Steve Mason.
The Jackets hope the offensive boost from these trades will enable them to land a playoff spot. They also see the veteran Leighton as a valuable backup in goal.
Meanwhile, the Falcons have two other players joining their roster. Forward Sean Collins, who has played well in 56 games with Springfield, was sent back after a tour with Columbus. The Springfield club also gets another goaltender, Patrick Killeen, whom Columbus acquired from Pittsburgh for future considerations. He was not on the premises Thursday.
As for that Falcons playoff clincher, several Friday scenarios could be involved:
• Springfield clinches a playoff spot and the Northeast Division with a regulation win over Connecticut.
• Springfield clinches with an overtime or shootout win.
• Springfield clinches with an overtime or shootout loss, combined with any kind of loss by Albany.
• Springfield clinches with a regulation loss by Albany and any kind of loss by Manchester.
ICE CHIPS: Curtis McElhinney, who has shut out the Whale twice, likely will be in goal Friday night ... Parlett had two goals and two assists against the Falcons this season. In 67 games with the Whale, he had impressive totals for a defenseman – six goals and 22 assists ... The Hartford game marks the start of a four-game road run for the Falcons, who close out their home schedule with “Fan Appreciation Weekend” April 13-14 ... The Falcons have a 13-point lead as they seek to wrap up the Teddy Oke Trophy as Northeast Division champs ... Team captain Ryan Craig has 29 power-play goals for his Springfield career, tying him with franchise’s top two goal scorers – Danny Briere and Jean-Guy Trudel. This season, Craig leads the Falcons with 12 power-play goals.
Garry Brown can be reached at geeman1918@yahoo.com