Being traded sucks, but there's no snow in Cali

As czechtacular already mentioned, we at Hab It Her Way are saddened by the Kyle Chipchura trade because he didn't really get a fair shake and he was a great guy to his fans (and we care about our players beyond just what they do on the ice). Oh, and while this guy that we'll draft in the fourth round a year and a half from now might turn out to be great, we still have no idea what this draft pick will bring, and it sucks to be traded for the idea of a guy (maybe even more than it sucks to be pushed around like a commodity instead of a person). Plus, even though his performance this season wasn't always the best that we knew he was capable of, we were hoping to maybe read a few more goodbyes online today, but alas, Kyle Chipchura gets no four-hour requiem on RDS.

Best of luck to you, Chippy. Happy trails, Jay Leach. You're headed for sunnier skies.

Say hi to Saku Koivu and Joe Thornton, have a fish taco or two, and play your best, like Jason Schwartzman in that video.

We have a trade to announce

In addition to the earlier news of Jay Leach having been claimed off waivers, word is that Kyle Chipchura has been traded to the Anaheim Ducks for a fourth round pick in 2011.

(Better days...)

Another guy with the "future captain" tag lost--to the team with our most recent captain. Last year's fluctuating status quo took its toll on everybody, but one that few point out is Mr. Chipchura. When management scurried around trying to put a bandaid on the hemorrage, he was the regular go-to AHL/NHL yo-yo. For someone not recognized for his flashy skills but rather his grit and team-guy nature, it was unfortunately only a matter of time before he was pushed off the depth chart. This season's starting out on the injured side didn't do much to help his cause, and when he finally did play, the hurt from last year turned into zero points and a -10 rating. Anaheim should be a good change of scenery for him (definitely one with better weather!) and if anyone won out in this move, it's him. Good luck, Chippy!

My choice of picture prompts me to turn to another kind of update. My favourite part of Christmas is getting closer, little by little--the World Junior Hockey Championship training roster has been announced for Team Canada. Ten boys from the Q have their names there, which is a pretty good showing compared to previous years. Habs' prospect Louis Leblanc is also part of the list.