Dan Wallace: Moving On Too Soon

Trade Chuck?

Well Dan you and I agree on the Hanzal debacle! I liken the deal to this.... Buying out Thomas Vanek and then trading the first round pick to get him back. I mean he and Hanzal are both equally as slow, they both turn the puck over umpteen times a game although seemingly have around the same PPG average.
Either way you slice it, both players ARE productive offensively, but are still an overall detriment to the team.

But.... in the grand scheme of things and all things being considered and yadda yadda yadda... It's difficult to really lower the boom on Chucky for this one. (although that may be arguable). Bottom line is that Hanzal was touted as the best pivot acquirable via the trade deadline and Fletch wasn't going to let anyone beat him to the punch. So kudos for making what should have been a positive move, but with hind sight being 20/20 and all that, it may have been what destroyed the fabric of this team.

and a first round pick for a 3rd line at best center???? rental no less?! I would have just as soon given away our next 2 years of 2nd round picks in lieu of losing the teams best opportunity in this years draft to get a difference maker.

Oh well, whats done is done as they say, I just hope Chucky can somehow dazzle us with some sort of deal this off season via free agency.

I actually feel Fletch is more responsible for the teams struggles. Yes the so called "analyst" said that Hanzel was the best guy available in the pivot, but was he the best guy for your team? I remember the Chicago game as well as the games that MN was playing while leading the West. That move is made and the downfall began. Sure you can say Dubey played a lot of games but when it comes right down to it, the wrong player was brought in. That team was built on speed. Don't make that move and play Ek or Shroeder more, and who knows. Match ups are more critical in hockey than any other sport and this one sure didn't meet the expectations.

I actually feel Fletch is more responsible for the teams struggles. Yes the so called "analyst" said that Hanzel was the best guy available in the pivot, but was he the best guy for your team? I remember the Chicago game as well as the games that MN was playing while leading the West. That move is made and the downfall began. Sure you can say Dubey played a lot of games but when it comes right down to it, the wrong player was brought in. That team was built on speed. Don't make that move and play Ek or Shroeder more, and who knows. Match ups are more critical in hockey than any other sport and this one sure didn't meet the expectations.
- MNHawksfan

This right here. Yes, Hanzel was the best center available, but the biggest need was probably in net to replace Keumper if anything at all.

I hope we get a big shake up, like half the team traded or let go. This team made us think it was the coach, so we fired him. Then they pull the same crap on BB. Excuses excuses. Either Fletcher needs to recognize this, or he will be out soon himself.

This right here. Yes, Hanzel was the best center available, but the biggest need was probably in net to replace Keumper if anything at all.
- bmgarvert

I agree with this... Kuemper should have been traded away... He was the only reason Stalock didn't come up sooner.. no where to put Darcy, although i'm not so sure he wouldn't have cleared waivers at this point.

I agree with this... Kuemper should have been traded away... He was the only reason Stalock didn't come up sooner.. no where to put Darcy, although i'm not so sure he wouldn't have cleared waivers at this point.
- MnGump

I have no idea if Stalock was/is a better goalie prospect, but it seemed to me the writing was on the wall with Keumper and it would have been a hell of a lot better to trade for a back-up and lose Keumper to waivers for nothing than trade the first round pick in this years draft for some pieces it was pretty obvious we didn't need as one of the highest scoring offenses in the leage. At least we could be evaluating goalie prospects for that pick.

Arm chair GM'ing can be fun.