Quote:
Originally Posted by Dion
Phil considered it the ultimate betrayal when Harry didn't take the time to talk to him about the trade and the reasons why. Phil wanted to be a Bruin for life.
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Was there a reason why outside of Park and Ratelle?
I mean, trading a past-his-prime (but of course great) Esposito for an in his prime always-the-bridesmaid-never-the-Norris-bride Brad Park and not-to-shabby top-100-player-of-all-time Jean Ratelle seems like a no-brainer in retrospect. Of course it didn't result in the ultimate prize, but Ratelle went on to score 90 points in 67 games with the Bruins the season he was traded. He scored a total of 450 points in 419 games with the Bruins, Brad Park scored 381 in 425 games as a defensemen. Esposito put up 404 with the Rangers in 422 games. Funny thing is, without the Orr and Eagleson issue this trade might not happen. With Sniden unable to reach a deal with Orr, getting the second best defenseman in the league to replace the best made the most sense.
I suppose it was maybe the way it was handled instead of the trade itself because I can't blame Sinden on that one in terms of on-ice management.