Ryan Whitney for Eric Tangradi & Chris Kunitz. Who wins?
Personally I think Anaheim raped Pittsburgh. Kunitz is overrated, has put up decent numbers playing with very good players. Which is I guess what will happen in Pittsburgh too.
Goodbye either CP44 or Nieds from Anaheim, or both. My prediction Nieds to NJ Pronger to Boston
i think pittsburgh's thought that kunitz is a similar type of player to armstrong but doesn't have to be resigned in the offseason so he'll be a long-term winger with crosby
If you watch Whitney enough times you'll realize why and how he got the nickname "Winnie". Soft as can be, awful defensively, lots of give aways but has a good pp presence.
I'd be interested to hear Ian's take..
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"With Sid on your team, anything is possible" - Mario lemieux
Whitney has played very fustratingly at times, but he has also shown the ability to step up and be "the man" (See game 5 vs Detroit). His foot injury has been a major problem, and it can be the excuse for his horrible season so far. However, the foot problems can't be blamed for his poor judgement and playmaking this season.
I think Kunitz is a good player, and will fit in. He may just be a 2nd liner, but considering Sid has been playing with 3rd liners, it's an upgrade. He is quick, and has a cup ring. The more I read about Tangaradi, the more I like this deal. Also opens up the defensive logjam and keeps Letang out of the press box.
Both teams took what they had a luxury of, and addressed their needs, short and long term. Both got rid of a long term contract that they grew hesitant about. I think this deal is pretty even, and tips into Pittsburgh's favor if Tangaradi can develop into the player he projects as.
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"Theres also talk of creating more room at the end of the rink by making the nets more shallow, which would be accomplished by encouraging them to spend all their time listening to pop music and reading Twilight books."
Rumor is that the surgery that Whitney had on his foot, the one that caused him all the problems last season and has hurt his play trying to recover this season, he needs to have the same procedure done on his other foot.
Call me a homer, I dont care. I think it's a fair deal.
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"Theres also talk of creating more room at the end of the rink by making the nets more shallow, which would be accomplished by encouraging them to spend all their time listening to pop music and reading Twilight books."
I don't think Pitt lost in value; the only reason I don't like the trade for them is because I think at 4 million for 4 or 5 more years they could have got a better asset than Kunitz. That being said, NHL gms aren't stupid, well most of them, Whitney is soft.
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"With Sid on your team, anything is possible" - Mario lemieux
Could've gotten more for Whitney, and I don't like the nature of the move. I hate GMs who can't keep their long-term RFAs to a contract because they simply made a bad mistake and overpaid for a player. I think it can set a bad tone for future deals.
I think Whitney has potential to become a very good #1 Defenseman. He's not in the true elite of a Weber, Erik Johnson, Bouwmeester of a player who has been or will be able to reach that status at a young age. I do think in 2-4 years Whitney will really blossum into a top defenseman. He's very good with the puck. His only downfall is his inconsistancies in some tougher defensive situations.
I'm not crazy about the return either. A 20-year old lighting up the OHL isn't as great as it sounds, imo. And Kunitz doesn't end up saving the team much money either. Kunitz is the teams 2nd best option at wing now (behind Sykora), which isn't saying much.
Could turn out to work, but I really see this being an unneccesary bad move for Pittsburgh.
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"As long as those gnome elite molecules emerge, we certainly can reduce casualties. Their warplanes troops would be nice."
