My take on the Eagles' two big trades

Since this level of trade action doesn't happen very often in Edmonton (Oilers not included), I thought I'd share some insight into the two major deals struck within hours of eachother for my loyal readers. To warn you, it's a bias approach... as it should be since I made the damn trades!

Arriving: Jack Johnson (CRY1), Ryan Smyth, Guillaume Latendresse (GAR1)
Departing: Sjostrom, Fleischmann, Wellwood, Kelser, Nolan, MacLean, EAG2, cash.

The decision point for both these trades is quality over quantity. Not to seem like a braggart, because I am not, but one of the pleasant results of my hard work over the past few seasons to rebuild a prospect base is I now have many more players becoming rated then I have roster spots to accomodate them.

Yes, it is a nice situation to be in. But it still requires decisions to be made. I already have 23 players under contract for the upcoming season, and before the trades I had an additional 13 becoming rated for RHL17. Sure, the new prospect rules will certainly help to spread out when I can bring a guy up to the full roster, but there was no getting around that the Eagles were going to hit a choke point with sheer numbers--and soon.

I had two choices. Move prospects for older, rated players who can contribute now, but at a price. Or roll them over for younger prospects further away from the NHL. So I chose to go in both directions. Ryan Smyth is option A, everything else was option B.

For option B, consider it clearing the underbrush to allow other seedlings to grow, although I wouldn't call Kesler, Wellwood, Sjostrom and Fliecshmann underbrush. It's never easy to trade a solid group of young players who have already arrived inthe NHL, but I consider it growing pains to ultimately get stronger. Just like a forest ultimately gets stronger from clearing out the brush... ok, enough of the analogy.

Plus, the opportunity to trade for a #2 overall pick does not come around every day, so I took it. In 15 drafts, I have never drafted so high. It feels good.

Like I said, Smyth is a bit of an anomaly. I love the player, and to see who was probably one of my best picks ever back in an Eagle uniform is very satisfying. While it could only be for one year, it will be a great year. Ok--one more analogy. I liken it to a person who has been saving money for years, building up a nice little nest egg. They stay true to a plan for so long then they splurge and by a Corvette. Is it practical...no. Was it needed... no. Is it OK to indulge every once in a while and celebrate years of hard work... absolutely.

So I indulged with Smyth, but I made sure I did something for team's future as well--getting the #13 pick. I learnt my lesson... I will always keep a core group of prospects in the system.

So let me evaluate the trade like every other is analyzed by the so-called pundits.

Out of the entire group that exchanged hands today:

Best rated player: Ryan Smyth - EAG
Prospect with the most potential: Jack Johnson - EAG
Highest picks exchanging hands: CRY1 - EAG, GAR1 - EAG
Salary savings: $1.5M - GAR
Does it make the EAG better now? Yes
Does it ensure the future is protected? Yes (#2 and #13 pick)

The only thing I can say was a knock in the trades is the addition of $1.5M in salary to my roster. This is easily absorbed and I consider it an insurance policy should the auction go sideways and I can't resign Doan, or bring in anyone else I'm looking at.

So there. Consider the trade justified. ;)