Quote:
Originally Posted by CSharp
Even though Ramage might not have seemed like a good value for Hull on that trade, the Blues gave the Flames the depth that was needed to win the Cup. Looking back at the '86 Cup loss to the Canadiens, the defensive depth wasn't there. That second time around, the Flames had a towering defensive corps to match the offensive threats up front. That was a stacked team.
You can almost argue that the Blues got Hull, Bullard, and Steve Bozek for Nattress, Ramage, Wamsley, Gilmore, Mark Hunter, and Joe Mullen. I think even with Wasmsley being thrown in as a free token backup, that trade still stands in Flames favor 10 times out of 10. That's one full top 6 forward line and a full top 4 defensive line with size!
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Not sure we should be mixing trades over a 4 season span, but you're right, apart from giving them a Hart trophy winner, the Flames got the best return from St. Louis. The Gilmour trade was the key to the '89 Cup and it was an absolute steal, but probably influenced by the off-ice issues with Gilmour, and the fact Bullard was a multi-year top-level sniper.
The Flames unloaded Bullard at just the right time - he hit his prime with Calgary and never was the same after leaving the Flames - maybe McSorely's attempt to disembowel him in the '88 playoffs contributed to the decline.