[Trade] Downie to Flyers for Talbot

[sureLoss]

http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/...230716861.html

Last week's trade of Steve Downie to the Flyers in exchange for Max Talbot is still a bit of a head scratcher. Despite what a lot of people might think of Downie, the Flyers absolutely got the better of the deal here, and frankly it's a bit confusing that a former first-round pick was traded for a glorified fourth-liner with a lengthy, relatively expensive contract. How did the Flyers do this?

Well, they might have Downie's fiery attitude to thank for it. Elliotte Friedman of CBC was on the FAN 590 up in Toronto today, where he talked about a hit laid on Gabriel Landeskog back during training camp. Basically, Downie was tripped up by Landeskog and tweaked his knee a bit. Coming off of reconstructive knee surgery, Downie was pissed off at Landeskog's apparent recklessness and decided to voice his displeasure in the form of a huge hit.
Landeskog, obviously, is a prized piece of the puzzle out there in Colorado, and from that point on, the Avs were pretty certain that Downie would be gone at some point this year.

Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/...2ygx7zpJfxP.99

[neo45]

I think the move actually makes sense for Colorado from a financial standpoint. They are not a wealthy club, and run on an internal salary cap, sometimes struggling to reach the cap floor.

1. Downie is a UFA this offseason and will probably get 3.5 to 4 million per season if he tests the market. Likely too expensive for the Avalanche

2. Talbot is signed for two more years and while the cap hit is 1.75, the actually salary is 1.25 and 1.00 for the remaining two years. Very attractive contract to a team like Colorado for a veteran player who plays well in big games

Doesn't seem like a head scratch-er at all to me

[DOOM]

Originally Posted by neo45

I think the move actually makes sense for Colorado from a financial standpoint. They are not a wealthy club, and run on an internal salary cap, sometimes struggling to reach the cap floor.

1. Downie is a UFA this offseason and will probably get 3.5 to 4 million per season if he tests the market. Likely too expensive for the Avalanche

2. Talbot is signed for two more years and while the cap hit is 1.75, the actually salary is 1.25 and 1.00 for the remaining two years. Very attractive contract to a team like Colorado for a veteran player who plays well in big games

Doesn't seem like a head scratch-er at all to me

Considering the Avalanche's great start, giving up the better/younger player is what made it a head scratcher from my point of view.

[neo45]

Originally Posted by DOOM

Considering the Avalanche's great start, giving up the better/younger player is what made it a head scratcher from my point of view.

I'd call it a long term move.

Their choices were to let Downie walk for nothing, trade him at the deadline, or trade him now and get a player they like moving forward.

I actually think it was pretty savvy

[DOOM]

Originally Posted by neo45

I'd call it a long term move.

Their choices were to let Downie walk for nothing, trade him at the deadline, or trade him now and get a player they like moving forward.

I actually think it was pretty savvy

Trading for a worse/older player isn't a good move in my opinion.

[Enoch Root]

Friedman's story explains wanting to move him

But it doesn't explain who they traded him for

[fatso]

Downie getting pissed off at another player's recklessness is what started this all. Sounds like the Avs really traded him for his inability to appreciate karma or cosmic justice.

[Mean Mr. Mustard]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Friedman's story explains wanting to move him

But it doesn't explain who they traded him for

I think that the simple fact is that he is known to be a cancer to 99% of the league and while he may be talented and good at his job, he would potentially ruin the chemistry of any team that signed him and do more harm than good. The explanation for this trade and the value they got for him is more likely just a reflection of his actual trade value and a known desire to get him off the team.

[LGA]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Friedman's story explains wanting to move him

But it doesn't explain who they traded him for

Friedman's story isn't even right. Downie hit Landeskog, then Landeskog tripped him up a bit.