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There will be a lot of Ron Tugnutt's former teammates and fans rooting for the 16-year veteran to get a shot at hockey's Holy Grail with Dallas.

Around the League ...

The little guy who dresses in the corner, the one you mistake for the stick boy, is on the move again, ready to help another club and in his usual manner, helping the team he leaves. Columbus Blue Jackets goalie Ron Tugnutt was traded Tuesday for the Dallas Stars' first pick, 20th overall, in the NHL Entry Draft Saturday. That gives Columbus two picks in the first round and it gives Marc Denis undisputed possession of the Blue Jackets' No. 1 goaltender job. The Blue Jackets can't thank Tugnutt enough. He did his job quietly and effectively, never lost his temper or pointed a finger, even in the expansion team's worst losses. He taught younger players how to be a professional and he was a confidential ear for frustrated veterans. "The Tugger" has played for several of the NHL's weaker teams and his moments in the limelight -- like his 70-save performance against the Boston Bruins a few years ago -- are few and far between. But the Scarborough, Ontario native is a rare combination of talent, character and clubhouse goofiness. His teammates love him and Denis holds him in high regard for the assistance he received at the beginning of his career. He goes to Dallas where the plan, apparently, is for him to back up Marty Turco. If Dallas, a team with a strong core that just didn't have the right blend last season, rebounds and competes for the Stanley Cup, there will be a lot of Tugnutt's former teammates and fans rooting for the 16-year veteran to get a shot at hockey's Holy Grail.

Snap Shots is a round-up of news and views from media outlets across North America and is published every weekday. The opinions expressed in Snap Shots are not necessarily those of the NHL. Compiled by John McGourty Tuesday, June 18, 2002

Blue Jackets trade Tugnutt
-- Columbus Dispatch, June 18, 2002

The Minnesota Wild entered the NHL in 2000-01 season with the intention of being a model franchise. Solid ownership hired intelligent general manager Doug Risebrough who in turn hired cerebral coach Jacques Lemaire. The Wild play a close-checking style and they're seldom outclassed. They had an outstanding first season when they won 25 games and collected 68 points. They improved on that last season when they won 26 games and had 73 points. The Wild had the third choice in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft and selected exciting young star Marian Gaborik. Last year, picking sixth, they took Mikko Koivu, the younger brother of Montreal Canadiens captain Saku Koivu. Mikko is 19 and will play another season in the Finnish Elite League before attempting his NHL debut. The Wild picks eighth in this year's Draft, to be held Saturday and Sunday at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto. "Having the No. 8 pick will be a little different from last year and certainly two years ago when we picked Marian," chief amateur scout Tommy Thompson said. "We don't want to rush people. We want the best player available, someone who can play an up-tempo, entertaining style of hockey, but someone who also has a strong character."

Instant stardom not in the cards. The Wild, with the No. 8 pick, don't expect to find a player who can step in immediately
-- Brian Murphy, St. Paul Pioneer Press, June 18, 2002

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