[jayswin]

^^^^^^^^

But all of this is just a bunch of words describing what you dislike about team builds in the NHL, where as GM's are negotiating with agents based on very specific stat criteria. None of that fan feeling stuff matters, what matters is whether you're willing to let a player like Tkachuk go because you don't like what it costs to retain him.

That's the difference between a GM and a fan blathering about how we can't afford to pay him market value. Not saying every GM is right, but if you're a GM you're in the market value game and trying negotiate below it, if you're a fan you're in the "well, I certainly wouldn't pay him more than X because blah blah blah" game.

It's a much easier game.