Hughmungo Trade! Let the Dealing Begin – UPDATED
January 31st, 2010, 9:12 am
Is there ocean in Toronto? Suck it up. You're moving.
The details are still unfolding, but it appears the Flames have traded Phaneuf, Sjostrom and d-man Keith Aulie (Calgary’s 3rd ranked prospect by Hockeyfuture.com) for forwards Matt Stajan, Niklas Hagman, Jamal Mayers and versatile defenseman Ian White.
Holy Schnikes! What a deal.
On the surface, I totally don’t get it for Toronto. They already have a ton of hard hitting D and they need help up front, and now they just traded their 2nd and 5th leading scorers. Ummm….okay….There must be something else happening here for Toronto. They must have a lead on dealing Komisarek or Beauchemin for a high scoring forward otherwise this is majorly puzzling. I do like them picking up Aulie, another good young player for them to develop with Kadri and company.
For Calgary, they change the image of their team instantly and acquire two very solid secondary scorers, which has been a major problem for them. They just got deeper and more talented on their 2nd line and this certainly makes more sense than holding out hope by dealing Phaneuf for Kovy and praying he doesn’t leave for Russia. Getting Ian While in this deal was the key, he is a very underrated player and can provide the production Phaneuf was giving them for much cheaper.
I have to give this one to Calgary, pending the next move by Burke which has to involve moving another d-man. Since they just gave up scoring, might they be interested in a Clowe for Beauchemin swap that Mike and I have been touting for months?
What’s your take?
UPDATE: ESPN IS REPORTING JASON BLAKE AND VESA TOSKALA TO ANAHEIM FOR JEAN SEBASTIAN GIGUERE.
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I always liked Toskala and wished him well when he went to Toronto. It’s sad that I can no longer wish him well since he’s now a Duck.
I give the day to Toronto, because they got rid of Jason Blake AND Toskala. Phaneuf is only 25, and certainly has plenty of room and opportunity to get better. According to McKenzie Ian White may be the better defensemen right this instant, but he’s maxed out his poential. I don’t blame Burke for taking this risk, his team was a shambles anyway.
I agree with you 100% mike… I realize it takes a tremendous amount of patience to be a GM. But after watching that team take a 3-0 lead on a very good Vancouver team, then let in 5 unanswered!!! Man I don’t blame Burke for pulling this trigger! I guess the camel’s back broke…
True, but he picked up Giguere, who has to be a top 5 goalie to justify that contract, which he is not. At least Tosk had an expiring contract, maybe allowing Burke to go after a Kovy or throwing money at a stud restricted free agent (gasp, Pavelski… nooooo!!!).
I actually thought the Calgary trade was better on Burke’s part than the Anaheim trade. At least Phaneuf dazzles every third night or so, Giggy has been awful for awhile. That said, looking deep into the stats on both, I have to believe that Toronto got handled on both trades and only wins on the PR front of getting “the best player in the deal” from Calgary and a “Cup winning/Conn Smyth calibur” goalie in Giggy. Problem is, one is based on highly uncertain future returns and the other is based on long since passed history.
Doug,
I know that you, like I do , really like Beauchemin. I didn’t think he was available? Would you like to see the Sharks trade for him?
Sounds like a great discussion for the podcast. You can count on this being one of the topics. Thanks Tom!
I looked at the numbers and it makes sense to me. It gives us the shutdown defenseman we wanted and some flexibility to let Blake retire at the end of the season. Clowe is now a 3rd line forward to us, but to the Leafs he can be a 1st/2nd line forward for the Leafs. The Sharks have some younger/cheaper talent that can fill the offense void Clowe leaves and Beaucemin is equally truculent.
Totally agree about Beachemin. I remember Doug talking in the off season about how he had hoped DW would sign him. I agreed then and still would like him. I simply didn’t think he was available. I still find it hard to believe Burke might trade him given his D first style.
For me it’s a no brainer… If he is available and Burke doesn’t want too much, I’d give up Clowe too.
Love to hear what others think too!!
He certainly plays against top competition, and for being on the leafs doesn’t allow that many goals while he is on the ice. That said, he probably is a little less effective that Vlasic, but a little better than Murray. Not exactly the shutdown dman expected, but at $3.8mil, pretty good for the cost.
I certainly would be in favor of a Clowe/Huskins for Beauchamin.
FYI, Jay Leach has really been quite remarkable thus far, even considering he is playing sheltered minutes. When your #7 Dman only gives up .91 GA/60, all with a $250k cap hit, it doesn’t get much better than that as far as depth is concerned.
Giving up Huskins and Clowe is overpayment. Clowe and maybe a 4, 5, 6, or 7th rounder tops.
Since Sutter is just giving players away, maybe we can profit from his current insanity by getting Jerome Iginla. Thornton for Iginla straight up.
With all the face time Phaneuf has received here over the last couple months, I would think there would be a little more support for the deal from a Leafs’ standpoint.
Regardless, Rangers-Flames make a deal. Kotalik/Higgins to Calgary, Jokinen/Prust to New York.
Plank: I think I’ll make my take a little clearer on the podcast tonight. While I’m a Phaneuf fan, I think until Stage 3 of Burke’s plan in unveiled, the jury is still out on this deal for Toronto.
Plus, there might be a tad bit of bitterness. We’re used to getting our way here at Dudes on Hockey. I wanted Brian Campbell, DW got him for me. Mike wanted Dan Boyle, DW got him for me. Where is my Phaneuf!!
According to Dreger, DW had “considerable interest” in White before he went to Calgary. It’s a shame, but it makes me think that we are definitely going to make a move for a blueliner. Here’s the article:
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=308684
Seems like this pretty much proves DW is looking to upgrade the blue line at some level. I have tons of faith in DW to get another steal… Get er’ done Doug!!