Flyers, Canucks trade goalies

Canucks roster

With the Flyers' current troubles and the March 25 NHL trading deadline approaching this deal was no surprise. Philadelphia's goalies have taken much of the blame lately.

"I was initially surprised, but now I'm excited," said Burke. "New challenge and I'm going to a team that is a Stanley-Cup contending team and that's a good challenge. That's something every player wants to be a part of, so you just take it from there."

Burke is a seasoned veteran who earlier in his career took New Jersey within one win from the Stanley Cup finals.

"With Sean Burke, we are getting a top goaltender, even though he is a free agent at the end of the year," Flyers general manager Bob Clarke said. "We think that his goaltending has been outstanding in the league in the past. Although he may have struggled in Vancouver, we think that in coming here he will be a great goaltender for us."

With the goalie problem apparently solved the pressure is now on Eric Lindros, John LeClair and co. to win some games.

The trade is Canucks' fifth in a short period as Mike Keenan continues to clean the house. In Snow Vancouver gets a good young goalie who is contractually bound for two more years.

Keenan said Burke's contract status, he becomes a free agent after this season, was a contributing factor for the deal. With Snow nailed down, Keenan will be free to pursuit goalie free agents this summer. Among other players Mike Richter will become a free agent.