Quote:
Originally Posted by GoJetsGo
Benning came in fully aware of Kessler and his reputation, and knew he had quit on the team last season and wanted out.
Do you honestly think his main objective was to sit down and try to convince him to stay? Or did he simply wash his hands of him?
I think it's the latter. Addition by subtraction in Vancouver's case, as they have a long road ahead trying to turn that team into a character driven environment, and Ryan Kessler doesn't help that goal one bit.
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It's the GM's responsibility to ice the best team & get the most in trades. Not get the trade done as quickly as possible, as "the first orders of business" (as you say), at the expense of the package recieved. A good GM places the interests of the club over his player friendships. Benning may have wanted to get rid of Kesler even before Kesler requested a trade, but not under such tight contraints (time & #teams).
The time & destination constraints were a result of Kesler's demands, not Bennings burning desire to get rid of him immediately at any cost, because Kesler's character was disliked.
Dislike for the GM's team in opposing buildings is not the GM's concern. The GM's of the opposing teams may actually prefer a good 'hate on' to draw fans.