There are so many different ways to evaluate this trade. I think the Flames did good in the short term, but there is enough risk there that I don't think it's a grand slam at this point. Too early for victory laps anyway IMO. If both Weegar and Huberdeau are one-and-done, then it will prove to be a bad deal IMO. If they re-sign or get flipped for assets, that changes.
From Florida's perspective, I think they made out great no matter what happens. They got a 24 year old superstar with a unique talent set who was an automatic to re-sign for 8 years. You can argue that the 8 year extension was worth nothing to the Flames, but it certainly was for Florida. They gave up two pending UFAs, and given the cap, they would have been in deep to try and re-sign both of them. One of them would have certainly been out the door after this season, or another important player on the team. From a preemptive asset management perspective, I think they made a great move no matter what happens.
If Huberdeau and Weegar leave after 1 season, and the Flames don't win anything, I think a lot of people are going to look at the rumoured Carolina package in a better light. It would have been the safer deal.
The major caveat of course is how all the players actually do on their new teams, which we obviously need to wait and see.
__________________
"A pessimist thinks things can't get any worse. An optimist knows they can."
|