Quote:
Originally Posted by Sidney Crosby's Hat
There wasn't much difference between the Joe Mullen trade and the Kent Nilsson trade but it's interesting to see the different reactions surrounding the two. Nilsson and Mullen were both in and around age 30 when they were moved. Nilsson was moved (with a third) for two second rounders and Mullen was moved straight up for a second.
Obviously, the reason for the different reactions is that the Nilsson trade netted Nieuwendyk and Stephane Matteau with the two picks. Mullen netted Nicolas Perreault.
On top of that, Mullen had some productive years after leaving the Flames. Nilsson never even scored 20 goals again in a season. Knowing that info, you can see why Fletcher decided to take a gamble on moving Mullen (not that I agreed with it at the time, or even today agree with that move).
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The Mullen trade was a simple overreaction by owners, egged on by the media, red faced that they lost in the 1st round in 1990 after winning the Cup the year before.
Crisp suffered immediately, and Mullen did soon after. Stupid, stupid moves that summer, plain and simple. Mullen was the best Flame forward from 1986 to 1990 and tossed away for a garbage return, just to give the rest of the roster some wakeup call and change for the sake of change. He went onto play parts of 7 more seasons and won 2 more Cups. Should've been a Flame for another 4 or 5 years and would've then had his number honored by now.
I wouldn't be surprised if Fletcher was told he was to trade Mullen and probably others by the enraged owners. I don't doubt he resisted as much as possible that offseason to trade Mullen and make irrational moves. And, the proof is in the pudding; Fletcher saw quickly that summer of 1990 where the blame was suddenly and unfairly being directed by those above him. So, he stuck around one more year, looking for his exit, and jumped out of the boiling cauldron as soon as he possibly could...and then bent over his successor, and, (not coincidentally) his former bosses/owners, in short order.