Originally Posted by Cali Flames Fan
Pronger: Went to the Ducks and helped them win a cup. Obvious win goes to the Ducks, but the situation that Pronger created hog-tied the Oilers.
Lindros: Went to Philly and was a very good player for several years. They did well in the playoffs a few years, got to the finals once and were quickly swept in 4 games by the Red Wings. *Meanwhile, the return for Lindros (Forsberg, Hextall, Duchesne, Thibault, Ricci, Simon) pushed the Nordiques/Avalanche to elite status and they were dominant for years, winning 2 cups. That's a win for the team that made the trade.
Thornton: Possibly one of the greatest playmakers of all time, Thornton is no doubt an elite player…in the regular season. Since his trade, the Sharks have been favored to win a cup during nearly his entire tenure, and haven't even made it to the cup final. Nobody would argue that the Bruins won that trade, getting back Sturm, Stuart, and Primeau, but they still managed to win a cup and make it to the finals another time. Thornton just isn't a winner when it matters, and that's why he was traded. Next!
Seguin: Again, the return for Seguin wasn't amazing, but it's hard to separate the pieces. It was Seguin, Peverly, and prospect Ryan Button for Loui Eriksson and prospects Matt Fraser (now claimed off waivers), Reilly Smith, and Joseph Morrow. Since that trade the Bruins have finished first in the NHL and subsequently lost in the 2nd round. Not having a great year this year, but will still make the playoffs. Dallas has made the playoffs once since acquiring Seguin, but didn't get past the first round, despite his rapid progression in point totals. Not saying he's totally to blame, but they haven't been much better even with his talent. Time will tell.
Phaneuf: Cripes…look at how the Leafs have fallen apart with him as their captain. That's a team with plenty of talent to be a playoff team, but have zero character running through that room. I'd take Stajan's mediocre talent and massive heart over Phaneuf any day of the week. We'll likely win a cup sooner with Matt Stajan than we ever would with Phaneuf. Not going to give this one any more credence.
Heatley: He wasn't the most loyal of players, but was he really a locker room problem? Not sure about that one. Either way, he was originally traded for Hossa and a DeVries. Good trade for Atlanta on that one, it's just a shame they could never make the rest of the team that much better. Ottawa got the best years out of Heatley, and even made it to the cup final, but never managed to win it all. Win for Ottawa.
The Ottawa thing was confusing, and it was obviously about clashing with the coaches' style more than anything. Clouston didn't last much longer anyway, and Heatley was on a rapid downslope for his career, so it's moot. It was probably a blessing for Ottawa to move him to be unburdened by his contract. They got back Cheechoo (who also fell apart instantaneously) and Michalek who has been a serviceable top 6 winger for them. They've made the playoffs twice since and won a round. Win Ottawa.
Richards/Carter: It was odd to see them figure it out in L.A., but I think a lot of credit should be given to Sutter. Players have always been more disciplined under his watch, for whatever reason. Phaneuf was a lot more manageable in Calgary than he has been in Toronto. Was that Sutter? Not sure, but he is the common denominator in the Richards/Carter situation. Either way, Philly got back plenty for Richards (Schenn, Simmonds), and more than enough back for Carter (Voracek, Couturier). No, they haven't won anything of significance since those trades, but if I'm a GM and that's what's being offered for two players that have had questionable work ethics, I'd do it in a heartbeat. Hindsight is 20/20 of course.
Basically, your premise is false. Trading away problematic high talent players rarely doesn't work out for a team, and they often do much better without the player, whereas the traded player often has middling success in the post-season.
|