Quote:
Originally Posted by ernie
I haven't read all 37 pages but from a non-flames fan view what I see is a flames team that temporarily becomes deeper up front. How much deeper I'm not sure. I like Stajan but I like him as #2 guy behind an all-star center or a #3 guy on a team with a couple of good centers. I'm not convinced how good he will be in the West.
White is #5 PP specialist with some upside.
Hagman is a streaky but two-way forward...the type of guy the Flames need.
Mayers isn't much of anything.
Now the pieces seem decent and look like a fit. The problem I have with the trade is the biggest glaring issues with the flames are the lack of a #1 center and the lack of another top notch winger (though maybe with increased depth this one goes away). Those holes still exist and I would think you would want to address the big holes if you are going to move a big piece.
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Or, you move a big piece, collect some assets and free up salary. You can't make a big move for, say, a number one center if you're kissing the cap and don't have the organizational depth and/or draft picks to make that move. I don't envy GM's when they make these deals, but sometimes the best deals for an organization in the long run might upset fans in the short run. Losing Phaneuf is significant, but not a disaster for this team. Of all the high cap hit players, he was probably the one who would bring the biggest return.
I also haven't read all 37 pages and I'm sure a lot of people are pretty angry or disappointed today. Unfortunately, I think a deal like this had to be done. There is no easy decision when it comes to trading a big name player, and as fans we tend to get emotionally attached to players. I do think the Flames organization is better off in the big picture because of this deal, even though Phaneuf is a significant loss.