Hagman Bumped To Abbotsford, Leads To A Rant About 2010

Now for a little ranting.

Hey so how many Flames fans died a little inside on January 31, 2010?  I expect all of you to raise your hands.  Why?  That was the day Flames management decided Niklas Hagman, Jamal Mayers, Matt Stajan and Ian White from Toronto were worth giving up Keith Aulie, Dion Phaneuf and Fredrik Sjostrom. Please reread that list of players.  You good?  You see that?

Please explain this trade to me.  I’m across the country and border but even I can see how terrible this is for the Flames.  Take a look at what the players have done since the trade.

Who the Flames received from the Toronto Maple Leafs:

• Jamal Mayers, who currently plays for the Blackhawks.  His 27 games with the Flames netted him 1 goal, 5 assists, and 53 PIM.

• Matt Stajan, who is still with the Flames. Since arriving has 9 goals, 40 assists, and 36 PIM

• Ian White, who is currently with the Detroit Red Wings.  In his 43 games with the Flames, he managed 6 goals, 12 assists, and 18 PIM.

• Niklas Hagman, who is to blame for this rant, was just sent down to Abbotsford.  With 106 games in a Flames sweater, he managed 17 goals, 25 assists, and 28 PIM.

Who the Leafs received from the Flames:

• Keith Aulie, who never played a game for the Flames, has played 40 games for the Leafs with 2 goals and 32 PIM. Currently playing for the Toronto Marlies

• Fredrik Sjostrom, who is currently playing for Färjestads BK, managed 4 goals, 6 assists, and 18 PIM in his 85 games for the Leafs

• Dion Phaneuf, current captain of the Flames Leafs, in his 108 games in blue he’s racked up 12 goals, 40 assists, 138 PIM.

Just looking at these stats, looking at what the guys produced, it’s clearly a ridiculous trade. In the end, with all the redistribution the Flames traded Phaneuf for Stajan and Hagman.  Hagman, who was sent down to Abbotsford and Stajan who is 3rd line center at best for Dion Phaneuf.  There are no words to describe the level Phaneuf works at, the man is a solid defense men who should have never left Calgary.  And now with Hagman heading to Abbotsford, what do the Flames have to show for this trade?  An angry city with their beloved defense man playing else where.  Poor planning Flames, poor planning.

But seeing as it has been some time, it’s time to move on.  It’s time to move forward, to build a team that can win. It’s time to stop making dumb moves with players that should be a cornerstone of the team.

Go Flames Go! Beat those Hawks!