Page 7 of The Trade Deadline
Abigail Cunningham, The Baltimore Sun
With the addition of Star Caliber talent to the roster, are the Blue Crabs expecting to make positive changes to the team?
THE BALTIMORE BLUE CRABS are a beloved part of Baltimore despite being a middling team that hasn’t made the playoffs in over five years. Fans flock to the arena 41 times a year to support the Crabs despite their lack of success, the same way they have since the team first came to the city fifty-two years ago. Baltimore’s love for their hockey team has been unconditional, never demanding more than the occasional win or a good fight.
“We haven’t had a real star since Strohmeier in the ‘80s,” Donald Ehrlich, a lifelong Crabs fan, lamented. “There’s a reason we haven’t gotten the Cup since I was a kid.”
But things might be changing in Baltimore. When trade rumors stated circulated about Lars Nilsson, no one dreamed he’d come to Maryland. Nilsson is a Swedish forward who first drew notice as a teenager playing in the Swedish Hockey League and then for his game winning goal in the World Junior Championship right before he entered the NHL draft. For years, Baltimore fans have dreaded when the Portland Prowlers come to town because of how dominant the team has been with Nilsson on their first line. Just last season, he was tenth overall in points and seventh in goals.
Now Nilsson is officially a Blue Crab.
The move comes as a surprise to Prowlers and Blue Crabs fans alike. There had been no rumbles of dissatisfaction from either Portland or Nilsson, yet the center was spotted by fans at the Baltimore facility wearing a Crabs practice jersey. Official word didn’t hit the news circuit until this morning, shocking the hockey world.
“Sometimes you need a change of pace,” Nilsson told reporters. “I did what I set out to do in Portland, and I want to challenge myself by trying to help another team build that success. I feel like I’ve become complacent the past few years, assuming I’d be in the postseason and not working the way I should be.”
Although he’s continued to be productive, it is true that many have noticed Nilsson has been less creative in his play lately. While it might seem drastic to change coasts, sometimes that’s what a player needs to avoid losing relevance. The concern might be whether Nilsson can be satisfied with a team that doesn’t perform. The Blue Crabs have barely broken .500 the past four seasons; will Nilsson pack his bags again if that trend continues?
Usually these big trades happen in faraway cities and usually to Baltimore’s detriment; it’s almost surreal to have it happen here and in our favor. I, for one, look forward to what Nilsson does for the team. Here’s hoping we make the playoffs behind our new Swede.
Comments:
rocktheclaw: playoffs?? the crabs are a joke. too bad no one told Nilsson
lowtide5hole: debby downers are almost as bad as all the bandwagon fans we’re gonna gain this season. let people enjoy things
ProwlersPack14: dude’s a traitor. leaves an actual contender for some loser team out east that wouldn’t know what the cup is if it bit them in the a**
CastOCrabs: so excited!!! one of my fav players, huge fan!!
commishjake: his brother is better
lowtide5hole: dude’s a beast can’t wait for the home opener
CrabbyMatty: Damn guess I’m getting a new jersey XD
rocktheclaw: same. already got a tre kronor one for him, psyched to see him in blue and red! sveriges stolthet!
iheartrj14: Ugh I have to get a new one — did you hear they took 14 and gave it to him?? Wonder if they’ll redo the number on my Russell one for free
commishjake: you’ll need a new username too
lowtide5hole: the real question is what number they’ll give Russell — maybe his number from Juniors?
OldBayOlderCrab: Suspicious AF but I’ll take it
( View 51+ more replies )