I'm not nearly as down on this trade as some even though I have always been a big Phaneuf fan.
People are seriously under rating some of the players we are getting back. White is better than people think. I think of him as a less physical Giordano type Dman. he played 23+ mins/g in Toronto and comes to us at +1 with 26 pts. IMO he is definately a step down from Dion in all areas but he isn't garbage and easily plays in the top 6 if not top 4 here. Hagman would be 2nd in Flames goal scoring with 20 (Iggy 24, Bourque 18) and Stajan is a top 6 center on pace for 25g and 60p.
It remains to be seen what Sutter does with the contract situation/cap in the off season, but this move substantially boosts our offence and certainly doesn't put us in the tank defensively. Barring their performance till the end of the season, if Sutter can get these guys back at a small increase, I'd have to think it makes the team better.
Giordano has to keep playing at the same level.
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