I am all for letting Treliving go, but Hathaway is not a good example here.
Flames signed Hathaway as a free agent following his college career, and played less than 10 games to finish off the season. He then spent 4 years looking like an NHL'er, and the fading. He usually didn't even look good in training camp/preseason. He would earn a call-up, and look good for a game or two, and then disappear for 3 or 4. He did this for 4 years.
Year 5 is the Hathaway that people are pining over now. He was an RFA with arb right if I am not mistaken (I might be). Certainly the deal he signed with Washington was risky. Most people were ok with letting him walk. He only had one year out of 5 where he showed a consistent effort level from game-to-game. Hindsight showed that he 'got it' in his 5th season and became a good player. Without hindsight, the question would be: "Did he finally get it?" or "Is he just playing hard for a contract this season?"
I am ok the Flames walked away. I like him, and he is a decent player, but he is also exactly not a very special player. Losing Brodie for nothing - now that's something we should be upset over.
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