I would actually say Hamhuis and Edler are their most valuable assets because of their contracts - look at what top four defensemen are getting paid now. Both of those guys are a step above a Mark Streit and are getting paid less - substantially less in Hamhuis's case. That said, though...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Enoch Root
To call that anything other than a failure is a stretch IMO.
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Yup.
They should have been targeting a roster player plus a later pick. I'll say it again, the only way this deal makes sense is if they use the pick on Nichushkin, who can play in the NHL right now. The added benefit there is that you take up a roster spot with an ELC and thus give yourself some cap help, which that team sorely needs. Horvat will I'm sure compete for a spot at camp, as he has NHL size, but it seems pretty unlikely that either he or Shinkaruk are ready to play in the NHL this year and possibly not even next.
I think in terms of the picks the Canucks made this was actually a really good draft, but the lacklustre value they got in the trade and the baffling use they made of the pick really casts a pall on everything.