Quote:
Originally Posted by Enoch Root
It's really interesting watching how the different sides are forming on this trade. There are a few side currents, like the people that are upset about losing Fox, but the primary dividing line in this is what you think of Hamilton.
And there are two main camps: those who think he is a star (largely populated by stat-lovers); and those who think his defensive play and/or compete level erode his value.
If you're in the former camp: bad trade. If you're in the latter: good trade.
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Im kind of in the middle on the trade. I was no huge fan of Hamilton, because I saw his defensive deficiencies repeatedly, but also saw what he provided in the offensive zone and truly appreciated that. I also believe he was "part" of what was all to obvious on this club and that was to many guys just didnt care enough.
However I am also a very large fan of Hanifin, though he hasnt quite progressed as I thought he would since being drafted. There is just so much room to get better though and he has all the tools to do so. His skating is about as good as it gets at the NHL level, and sometimes it takes time for other facets to catch up to that part of the game I still think he will get there. After living in NC for over a decade, the Canes became very much a team I paid attention to for a long time. I started limiting that the last couple years though because they were such a gong show.
I am a huge Ferland guy...and I think the Flames are going to miss him. His size/power/shot package is hard to find, but so was he on many nights. That alone makes Lindholm an upgrade in that spot. Elias will never wow you with dangles and snipes to the top corner, but he shows up almost every night and gives an honest effort.
Losing Fox hurts but if he was needed to close the deal, and it makes all the sense in the world that was the case, then so be it. Particularly since its now clear he was never going to wear the flaming c anyhow.
This trade addressed a lot of issues with the club even if it wasnt the biggest one that still exists. That's OK. There is still 3 months til the season begins and its clear there are more moves coming.