In my opinion this is a stubborn narrative and flawed logic to still try to defend a previous position on this trade.
There is NO evidence to suggest the Calgary Flames ever intended to put Granlund on waivers. The Flames gave Granlund 85 games in the NHL, they have given Hunter 7 games, didn't like what they saw and sent him back to the AHL where he belongs.
Granlund was a 2nd round pick with better AHL numbers than Shinkrauk who was a polarizing late first round pick who fell in the draft due to concerns about his pro upside. Exactly what makes Shinkaruk a great prospect and granlund waiver wire fodder. Please explain.
Whether you like it or not, ALL trades can only judges over time, not by the perceived value of hockey fans at the time of the trade. The GM in Vancouver made a call that Shinkaruk could not translate his game to the NHL so he moved him for a prospect he liked better. There is nothing to indicate benning was not right in his assessment and has clearly won this trade, no matter what you thought at the time.
Granlund may not be a world beater, but he is a player making the most of his minutes, is the 2nd leading goal scorer on the team. In his first full season in the NHL he will hit the 20 goal mark. Shinkaruk is falling down the Flames prospect list, has one goal in his last 25 AHL games. he is a career AHL player.
This trade argument is increasingly desperate.
I think this sums it up pretty well.
