SUNRISE, Fla. >> Trades in the NHL have become so rare that any deal becomes instant news in this social media-driven society but the Ducks swap of forwards with Florida on Nov. 16 didn’t exactly move the needle.
It meant a lot to Logan Shaw and Michael Sgarbossa. Shaw had a new home with the Ducks while Michael Sgarbossa was sent to the Panthers. The two have been trying to become NHL regulars and the deal furthered each player toward that goal.
Shaw, 24, has been in the Ducks’ lineup since his recall from the American Hockey League on Nov. 24. It is quite a change for the start of the season when he couldn’t crack Florida’s lineup out of a training camp after playing in 53 games with the Panthers as a rookie last season.
Sgarbossa, 24, has also been a lineup fixture for the Panthers since his recall on Dec. 29.
“We both started in the American League so it’s definitely a good opportunity for both of us,” Shaw said. “We get the chance to play in the National Hockey League. It doesn’t matter where you’re at. You get that chance to play, it’s going to work out well.
“It’s good for both of us and I’m sure we’re both real happy with it.”
Sgarbossa said he never anticipated a trade by the Ducks and didn’t ask for one. The center does feel the Panthers are giving him more chances to perform in offensive situations. He had two assists in Florida’s 6-5 win over Ottawa on Jan. 31, giving him four points in his last five games after a slow start.
“With the trade, it worked out with both teams,” Sgarbossa said. “They wanted someone that was more of a fourth-line, penalty killer-type player and they got that with Shaw. Florida, on the other hand, wanted someone with a little more offensive ability.
“It just worked out for both sides. Both players in the trade are getting opportunities to play. It’s good to see.”
Ageless Jagr
Jaromir Jagr will turn 45 in two weeks and the eventual Hockey Hall of Fame right wing continues to defy advancing age as he remains a high-level player that is among Florida’s top scorers.
On Dec. 23, Jagr became the second-most prolific scorer in NHL history as he passed Mark Messier. Wayne Gretzky, who has 2,857 points to Jagr’s 1,897, won’t be caught.
“He’s a guy that is testing time every time you see him on the ice,” Carlyle said. “He’s still an effective player. He’s picking people off ahead of him as far as points and goals. It’s quite a phenomenon to see Jags do what he does.”
Carlyle recalled his time with Jagr in 2002 when he served as an assistant with Washington.
“I think that he has developed the attitude that he has to spend more time doing the prep work to get himself ready for the games versus just playing the games,” Carlyle said. “We had a player (Teemu Selanne) here who was over 40 and he had to do a bunch of that stuff also.
“You only see a little bit, what they do on the ice. Special player.”
Iron men
The players with the two longest active consecutive games streaks were on the ice as Ducks winger Andrew Cogliano played in his 757th straight game while Panthers defenseman Keith Yandle appeared in his 603rd in a row.
Cogliano has yet to miss a game in his NHL career while Yandle has not missed one since beginning his current streak on March 26, 2009.
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