Quote:
Originally Posted by Macindoc
I have to disagree with you on your assessment of Andersson's contribution to the Flames. He's playing the most, and the hardest, minutes of any D on the team, playing with a partner who is very inexperienced and would be a bottom pairing D on most other teams. The Flames have nobody who can step in and play Andersson's 20+ hard minutes every game, and probably won't for 2-3 seasons. Paired with another top pairing D, Andersson would be among the best in the league, both offensively and defensively. But that's not the kind of partner he has. Name another offensively or defensively outstanding D in the league who plays with what should be a 3rd pairing partner.
I'm not saying he should not be traded, but the trade has to be one that helps to facilitate the Flames getting a true 1C. Not just for the sake of a trade or for obtaining a middle 6 forward.
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I mean there's no way for the Flames to know they're facilitating getting a true number 1 center or else the trading partner wouldn't be trading said player.
It's about taking an asset that has expressed he doesn't want to be here through a rebuild, combined with the fact that not signing him means signing a 10 goal, 40-50 point D-man to an $8+AAV retirement contract at 29, where most of the years will be declining vs trading him where the league views him as a huge asset for teams competing
now and his ridiculously low cap hit with 50% retention is a prudent move for this rebuild.