Yikes... get home and this is what I have to see.
Not really shocked about this - given all the smoke that was going around this team, but I'm just wondering if the Flames traded the wrong core player. Phaneuf was probably one of our most consistent core players this season. He was better than Iginla and Regehr on a nightly basis. I sincerely hope it wasn't those two as some have speculated in this thread, as the reasons behind it. If it was, those two should be the ones looking in the mirror and ask some serious questions about how they've played this season. Phaneuf on a lot of nights played with a fire that neither of those 2 guys have anymore.
Overall about the trade... I guess we have to win right now? We gave up a solid prospect in Aulie, which was quite shocking to say the least and have upped the average age on this team by a bit. There isn't a bonified blue chip prospect coming back. There isn't a first liner or top 2 dman or anyone who is likely to surpass their potential. Don't expect much more from Stajan, Hagman or White. They've in all likelyhood hit their peaks.
However, this trade does make the Flames better this season. As for next season, it is a wash at this point. 5 years down the road? I doubt we see any of the guys we got back for Phaneuf playing with the Flames. Hagman IMHO is a 2nd liner, as is Stajan. White is probably our #4 or #5 guy, depending on how Sarich is. Mayers is a throw-in.
I really would have felt better about this if we got a 2012 1st rounder or something. A lot better.
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