Quote:
Originally Posted by Five-hole
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.
|
I wouldn't even consider trading Bennett for the 3rd pick this year regardless of the above, I'm not advocating that at all don't get me wrong.
My concern as solely based on your notion that CBJ would be
stupid to consider trading the 3rd pick away for a package consisting of:
6th
26th or w/e the Dallas pick is
1st next year
Young Prospect (I think you said Jankowski)
Backlund
2nd rounder(s)
I don't consider the above a FAR reach in terms of overpayment (its definitely an overpayment), considering Puljaarvi hasn't even shown us anything @ an NHL level yet where as you know what you're getting in Backlund, you're getting 3 1st round picks and a Prospect with significant development at the center ice position none the less, coupled with multiple 2nd round picks... Yikes.
If the above trade proposition doesn't at least get CBJ to pickup the phone and consider then the CBJ are out to lunch and may as well be slumped into the EDM category you seem to agree upon as part of the "not a f_n clue" how to manage a hockey team.