I think the most interesting part about this trade is the difference, at least for me, between what the story the stats for the Flames players say versus how I actually feel. I preface that I actually liked both Hamilton (thought he was our second best dman) and Ferland a lot. And I do feel like time will tell on this trade but my gut is telling me we actually improved the team by swapping out for different pieces that will help the team long term.
All that said, if you look at the stats, totally get how anyone looking at this could be saying it’s a lateral move at best, or even a loss cause we gave up a 50 point franchise dman for one that MIGHT one day do the same in Hanifin, and we gave up Fox as an asset. The numbers certainly back that story up.
That said, stats aside I can’t stop shaking the following thoughts.
- While Hamilton puts iOS franchise D men numbers, does anyone actually think he’s a franchise Dman.....at least at this moment? He’s not even our best Dman, and losing him certainly doesn’t feel to me like the Habs losing Subban for example, and while I’ve lined Hamilton’s game, I’ve never felt like he takes games over the way franchise dman do.... not to say he won’t down the road.
- looking at the stats as well, I can also see how folks might feel we simply did a lateral on forwards. Yet I’ve never actually felt Ferland is a true top 6 forward, but I feel Lindholm is. Why is that? Regardless, Lindholm certainly seems more versatile and hopefully more consistent.
Fact is, Flames dealt from a position of strength to try and fill weaknesses. In the short term, this deal will be judged on whether Lindholm can legit fill our gapping hole in the top 6, because I do feel the Flames can absorb the loss of Hamilton at least while Gio is still a top flight dman. Long term how Hanifin and Ferland develop could be the kicker. Will Ferland become an elite power forward, or will Ganifin make the jump and completely replace Hamilton?
I do like that we got younger trying to fill the holes on our team.
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