NHL GMs feel they could've given Flames more for Phaneuf
By ERIC FRANCIS
While both the Maple Leafs and the Flames accomplished plenty in the seven-player trade involving Dion Phaneuf last week, obviously not every-one's happy about it.
Amongst those critical of the deal are a number of GMs around the league who were unaware Phaneuf was available and wished they'd been given a chance to offer up more than the Leafs did.
The general feeling amongst these executives is Flames GM Darryl Sutter didn't come close to maximizing his returns on a deal that brought four players to Calgary.
Either way, such criticism points to how quickly and quietly Sutter moved Phaneuf from untouchable status to logical trade bait.
Now more notes, quotes and anecdotes from a sports world wondering what Flames fans plan on doing now with the thousands of mounted Phaneuf prints given as season-ticket holder gifts last month.
PARTING GIFTS
Hockey Night in Canada executives spared Albertans from Toronto's ongoing Dion Phaneuf love-in Saturday by showing the Flames-Lightning game here. However, the nationally-televised Toronto Maple Leafs-Ottawa Senators game featured close-ups of the word 'work' Phaneuf has started writing on the butt-end of his stick. The Air Canada Centre announcer also went out of his way several minutes after a Leafs goal to point out Phaneuf's first-period assist "was his first as a Leaf," prompting a roar from the crowd. Memo to Toronto: Calgary fell in love with Phaneuf at first, too ...
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Re: Sutter came up short? (Score: 1) by mojo19 on Monday, February 08 (User Info | Send a Message)
A bunch of GM's said the same thing about Joe Thornton when he went to the Sharks. It's weird when this kind of thing happens, makes you wonder why you don't shop a guy around and really drive up the price?
On the other hand, maybe Sutter really felt like he couldn't have got a better package, and he was maybe really into Stajan, Hagman, and White. Also, these other GM's who claim they could have offered "more" is subjective, because the opinions of the value of Stajan and White as players probably varies from one guy to another, obviously Sutter likes them.
Re: Sutter came up short? (Score: 1) by simplyhabby on Monday, February 08 (User Info | Send a Message)
"NHL GMs feel they could've given Flames more for Phaneuf"
Maybe but this would of created a horrible circus for the flames whihc was the last thing they needed noted the losing streak they were on.
I forget if it was an article or commentary but Elliote Friedman made a great point about how the "expiring contract" scenario with trades has lept from the NBA to the NHL.
One thing people have to realize that in a cap era (specially when its rumored to go down a million or two next year) cap space is everything. The Jokinen and Pheneuf deal gave the Flames better flexibility to modify the core as it was not working.
In addition, just because you move player of Pheneufs calibre, does not mean you will get a first rounder simply because of his contract in a cap era. Why do you think teams are more likely to move their draft picks for a tradedeadline pick up for a player with an expiring contact?
Re: Sutter came up short? (Score: 1) by FlamingHomer on Monday, February 08 (User Info | Send a Message)
I couldn't help noticing that no team names were mentioned. I would think given Phaneuf's potential that Sutter would only trade with an Eastern team and preferably one that he wouldn't have to face in the playoffs, assuming that he thinks that the trade will launch the Flames into being instant contenders.
As someone already noted, GM's aren't above covering their own backside by making claims that they would have scooped him, given the chance.
