Comparing this 7-player Flame-Toronto deal with the 10-player transaction as the TV sports network did yesterday isn’t close to accurate.
The only similarities is the teams making the big player transaction are the same.
In Jan. 2,1992 the Flames ripped the heart of their team dealing Doug Gilmour to the Maple Leafs as well as 3 intrical character players — defensemen Jamie Macoun and Ric Nattress plus backup goalie Rick Wamsley. All 4 players were Stanley Cup winners here.
True, the Leafs did get the best player in the transaction, again, but Dion Phaneuf was not the heart of the Flame roster. Not close. Plus, the Flames got a much better return in Sunday’s deal.
The trade more reminds me of the 1988 deal when Brett Hull was moved to St. Louis after scoring 26 goals in 52 games as a Flame rookie. Then GM Cliff Fletcher knew Hull was going to be a scoring star, but he made the deal to fill some holes in a bid to win the Cup. Defenseman Rob Ramage and Wamsley joined the Flames in the deal and both played roles in the 1989 Cup title. If the Flames hadn’t won the Cup then it could be called a bad deal since Hull starred for years with the Blues and others.
Phaneuf, who is only age 24, is still not in his prime and figures to excel in the NHL for a long time. As it is, in his 4-and-a-half season he has produced the best league scoring numbers among defensemen over that time.
Defense is a Flame strength and Phaneuf was their best bet to get a good return in a barter. Amazingly, many of the same Flames fans who have been calling for Phaneuf to be traded, now say the team didn’t get enough for him in this deal.
The trade makes the Flames a better team today. They have more scoring depth with Matt Stajan and Niklas Hagman. Stajan will get the chance to see if he can mesh with Jarome Iginla. Hagman adds a scorer to the 2nd line. Jamal Mayers bring grit, size, experience and some scoring ability. A bigger, more experienced and better scorer than Fredrik Sjostrom, who is now a Leaf. Defenseman Ian White isn’t going to replace Phaneuf but he’s a solid number 5 or 6 if not better.
Ten years from now who knows who will have gotten the best of this trade. If the Flames get a big, big return soon, then they’ll get the edge regardless.
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Im glad he is gone. Too many times did we hear Pete or Peter say “…and it bounces over Phaneuf’s stick” or “…he gets past Phaneuf” Every Freaking game… I was fully sick of him. I am real excited to see how the new additions help us out!
- DonGive it up people. I don’t care if Dion didn’t say hi to you at Timmyr or whatever crap I’ve been hearing, the Flames screwed up. You don’t give up a guy like that for “serviceable parts”. Flames fans will regret that move.
Sutter is a joke. How do you bring in Kotalik and Higgins? One has no heart, and the other is a clown.
GOOD bye to the Playoffs.
Which doesn’t belong? Thorton, Kopitar, Towes, Getzlaf, and Stajan? Hmmm Tough one here.
KEep spinning the Koolaide 960,take a page from 770 and do some real reporting.
KOVALCHUK is not coming. Stop fooling your mornic callers. We have no assets to trade back. Can’t get rid of Regehr or Iginla.
- billBill, your email shows your lack of understand of the Phaneuf and the Flames position.
Why compare those particular centres?? Let me give you another comparison: Brassard, Weiss, Horcoff, Lombardi and Stajan. NOW which one doesn’t belong?
You must be in love with Phaneuf Bill. I’m not! He is not the same player he was 3 years ago so stop thinking that he is. His play over the last 2 years has been nothing short of something we can get out of a 1 million dollar player. He obviously thinks he’s better than he really is or he wouldn’t be getting into shouting matches with the coach over his play. My advice would be to try to learn something, but I don’t think Phaneuf feels he has to learn anything at this point….he knows it all.
Oh, and Bill. You must be drinking the same “Koolaide” cause your email lacks understanding and “Koolaide” ISN’T SPELLED WITH AN ‘E’!!!
- Darren