Petr Sykora and Patrik Elias

[ken_valyi]

New Jersey Devils wingers Petr Sykora and Patrik Elias have been sidelined because of the flu. But some reports suggest the two players also are upset because their good friend Jason Arnott was traded to the Dallas Stars earlier this week. Arnott, one of the league's top power forwards, watched the backs of Elias and Sykora while the three played on the Devils' productive A Line

From this Canoe article (http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam020323/col_zeisberger-sun.html)

I still can't believe they let Arnott go, unless they think that back injury is a chronic condition. You don't trade away Stanley Cup Winning Goal Scorers! ;)

[Signal]

I dunno, I have heard that it was the flu so I don't think it's because of Arnott...But you never do know right?...Arnott is younger and had the size to protect the two smaller wingers as well as score goals...However he's been in and out of the lineup this year and the team as a whole had become stale I think and just wasn't functioning properly...On one hand I definitely agree the Stars probably made out better with the four player trade but it's no good if your stars can't perform...Look at Washington, you'd think they'd be at the top of the leauge now with all that talent...Nieuwendyk is a proven star in this league and Langenbrunner hopefully will add some spunk so overall I like the trade...

:)

Jason