Quote:
Originally Posted by MolsonInBothHands
Bottom line - as things sit today, I wouldn't give Stajan up for Phaneuf, and I am by no means a Stajan fan.
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That is a very level headed thing to say.
1. Cap Hit - massively over priced in this market, especially with cap going down next year. We keep Dion, we lose someone else. Before you say Stajan, he wouldn't be here so that money for Hudler, Wideman, Glencross may not have been available. Opportunity cost.
2. He's a captain and #1 D - he is their most recognizable d man for sure. Regardless, a captain is supposed to elevate the people around him, TO has been a bottom dweller since he got there. Nothing has changed. He has good stats, but who cares, TO has to win games.
3. He would have clashed with current leaders - This isn't even a question, he was fighting with Reggie and Iggy towards the end. He made it a me or them situation that may have forced Sutter's hand during the losing streak. Right or wrong on siding with Iggy, Dion forced that situation and that was a problem. Typical me first attitude that Subban, Yak, and many of these young new guys display.
4. We don't know, what we don't know - Wax all you want that Dion would have got you a top player but show proof. Otherwise it is all speculation and conjecture. Maybe that was in fact the best deal, Sutter knows, maybe ownership does too, be we Shute as heck don't.
I have always said Sutter still would have won that trade on shear cap space, and locker room drama removal alone. If he only didn't resign Stajan that cap money could have went to getting that #1 center for Iggy. Now there is a what if.