Joker's Insight Into Phaneuf's Trade

I wouldn’t read too much into it if I were you. I imagine we’ll never know the full story unless someone involved writes a tell-all book about it in the near future. No player is going to come out and call someone a “cancer” regardless of whether the person was or wasn’t. Ultimately, it doesn’t matter, the compelling hockey reasons for the trade existed regardless of whether Phaneaf was a cancer or a grand ol’ superfella (That being over commitment of $ in the defensemen, probable return, and existence of NTC/NMC in alternatives).

Frankly, I think this is a better team now (I Heart Forward Depth).

Haha “proffession.”

I hope Dome drops by here again, because I’ve got a reply:

Nicely put, Dome! I didn’t want to give the impression that I thought the fans were actually what drove Phaneuf out (I personally think it’s just that he’s the overpaid guy who Sutter could get the best return for and was made redundant by Bouwmeester); I was more latching onto the part of the statement by Jokinen that denied the rumours of Phaneuf’s lockerroom cancerishness. I fully grant that my choice to take what the Joker said at face value, as well as ignore the rumour of Phaneuf fighting Iginla, is one that appears mighty naive, but I just don’t think that a little fight would be enough to get a “core” player traded in most circumstances, and that the entire concept of a “lockerroom cancer” in any situation is grossly exaggerated by those who run the rumour mills in order to pique interest. Many people love drama, and if every trade was just assumed to be for practical purposes, interest level would certainly not be as high as it is with all of the speculation that has been occurring.

Nice to be mentioned in an article, though! Feel free to take me on anytime, baby.

I tried to comment on the domebeers site, but signing in using AIM didn’t work, and I quickly became sad and gave up. I may make another attempt tomorrow, but just in case something goes terribly awry, this will be my backup.

Hi Smell!

Two things:
One: naive is a fighting word, so if that pissed you off, ill copt to that.
Two: I still think Im not crazy, that is, I think he was traded for reasons that go beyond ‘practical’ purposes. Evidence? All the talk by hockey insiders about Dion. IE: Mr Cherry refering to him as a ‘rock star’.

Also, Im quite happy Blago reads my blog. I knew I was huge in Chicago.

I think we both have a case for being right, but naturally I think I’m more right than you on the trade reasons. =D Either way, I enjoyed your piece.