Quote:
Originally Posted by Royle9
Hang on a second..
Is the hockey clubs job to focus more on the success of the team moving forward (Stanley Cup/Playoff appearances) and therefor draft/trade around that? Or is there job to ensure that the fans get a "shiny new toy" via the draft at 1st, 2nd or 3rd? I'm confused here.
Your statement above is a direct correlation to the Edmonton situation over the last 7 years and shows you what happens when you stick to the new toy rather than make the smart move for the club, sure the draft parties and new jersey sales have everyone singing and smiling in July-September but by December Edmonton fans hate the team again.
Not sure I agree, these moves happen and at the end of the day I think the clubs best interests outweigh that of the general public to a large extent for your average SMART GM
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Edmonton is an exception to pretty much every rule and should rarely be used as an example to prove a point.
Your job as General Manager is to run a business. A large part of that is icing a good hockey team, but at the end of the day, you're judged on the success of the business. That is, revenue. Selling tickets. That's why Jarome Iginla wasn't traded until long past the point he should have been based on long-term success on the ice -- he was the face of the franchise and was selling tickets.
You don't make every move based on what makes the fans happy, but if you think GMs don't consider what makes fans happy you're out to lunch. One thing you can sell fans after a crappy losing season is a super-hyped elite-level prospect like those available in the top 3 this year.
Right now, Bennett's marketability is essentially at its lowest point. The lustre of "high draft pick" has worn off (and to a casual BJs fan, a 4th overall that went to the Flames 3 years ago is essentially a complete unknown), and he's not yet making much of an impact on the ice. He will not turn around the fortunes of the Blue Jackets next year, just as he didn't turn around the fortunes of the Flames last year.
Bennett for #3OA makes zero sense for the BJs. It doesn't help them much on the ice (if at all) and it hurts them as a business decision.