[Jay Random]

OK, I just waded through all 1177 posts, and figured I would reward myself by shooting my mouth off. Everyone else is doing it, so wotthehell.

When I read about the trade on nhl.com today, my first thought was, ‘Boom goes the dynamite!’ I was surprised and disappointed to see Ferland included in the deal, and sad to see Hamilton go. I had figured the rumour had run out of legs and was old news by now, so it was rather startling to see it come back to life in such an emphatic way.

After thinking it over, I see this as a two-for-two trade. For this season, it's Ferland and Hamilton for Lindholm and Hanifin. A little more offence up front, a little less on the back end, but the Flames get significantly younger. I'm OK with that.

For future years, it's Hamilton and Fox for Lindholm and Hanifin. Ferland will have the chance to chase his big payday next summer. Maybe Carolina will re-sign him, but they would have the same opportunity to sign him as a UFA anyway, so I don't count that as part of the trade. I think the Flames would likely have let him walk, Colborne style, rather than pay several million a year to retain him. Fox is a great offensive talent, but I don't know if he has the wheels to make that offence work at the NHL level, and he's probably never going to be a major threat defensively because of his size and speed combined. Of the team's big four D prospects, he's the one I mind losing the least. I'd much rather have Lindholm than Fox, even if Fox was going to sign here. As for Hamilton and Hanifin, they are both likely to continue improving, but Hanifin is younger and has more time to do so.

Overall, I feel like this may have been a slight overpay, but it's less risky than standing pat. I'm cautiously OK with the deal.

However, it will obviously be a fantastic trade and a clear win for the Flames if Monahan and Hanifin become BFFs and room together on road trips, because then I get to call them Hanahan.