The relationship was finished here after the post season and perhaps even more so because of possible contract demands but that does not excuse the rest of the league. The fact is that a very serviceable LHD who's key benefit is how he can get possession of the puck and get it up the ice with great effectiveness is now gone from the league. More than a few teams failed- looking at you Edmonton.
While Enstrom may have had his reasons for not signing some of the offers he received in the NHL as his agent said they could not find the right fit, it is the GMs job to find value and support his club. Enstrom was that guy.
By games played Enstrom only had 43 this past season due to injury but he still managed to be 177th in TOI. if you take six defense by 31 teams that means his is still a top 6 by team. When he was on the ice he was 65th in CF% at 52.46 so that basically puts him right at the cut off for the top third of the league.
When looking at rates he was 132nd of the 195 D who played at least 600 mins 5 vs 5 in CF/60, but he was fourth 4TH!! in the same criteria for CA/60 38th in CF% now. By that measurement he's nearly a top pairing guy on most teams.
He was 4th again in SA/60 but 172nd in SF/60.
Had the offensive aspect of his game dried up- yes but he still did what he never received credit for- played sound positional defense acquiring the puck and getting it up the ice away from his net and the opposition. There are teams that need that kind of player.
Enstrom only every played for one team in the NHL the Thrashers-Jets franchise and hopefully he will be honored for his career and what he did. There were some tough years for him with this franchise and he battled through them with class. Interesingly enough he was taken 6 spots ahead of partner Dustin Byfuglien in the 2003 entry draft. He finishes his career with 719 games played, 54 goals, 254 assists and 308 points for .42 its/game. Only six D players from the 2003 draft were better in points per game and they were Weber, Byfuglien, Burns, Seabrook, Phaneuf, and Suter. I'd probably take Enstrom over Phaneuf right now if I had a choice.