Quote:
Originally Posted by Erick Estrada
Man I feel bad for Hanifin as this place is going to be hard on him when many here see the reality that he's still work in progress and likely will not live up to early expectations. He's been playing sheltered minutes in Carolina and is still not very good defensively. Posts like this don't help as it's totally incorrect that he's already a better 3 zone defender than Hamilton. He could end up the better defenseman long term but right now he's clearly not and the verdict is out if he will ever be. Obviously the Hurricanes didn't think he was going to be and they have a better handle on him than anyone else.
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This type of argument comes up on many, if not most trades. And it is not only baseless, but is completely self-defeating.
Because the exact opposite thing can also be said: obviously the Flames think he will be, and they have a better handle on Hamilton than anyone else.
Both sides of that argument are equally pointless. Assessing how players will develop going forward is not an exact science. Different people have different views. And every team has professional scouts. It's not like the Flames don't know exactly what Hanifin is, and the Hurricanes don't know exactly what Hamilton is, of course they do (both sides).
The reason trades happen is that views can differ. There are people on this forum that think Hamilton is one of the 10 best defensemen in the league. And there are others, who have been watching him for the same 3 seasons, that are, shall we say, extremely happy he was traded. GMs have differing opinions too.