groovejuice
Without deviation progress is not possible
Could also be a poison pill. Deals that could have gotten done earlier, will be delayed as every seller or most of them measure their efforts relative to the haul in the Duchene deal.
And deals that are delayed could also mean dominos not falling, which usually force the hand of other suitors when they do.
I dunno, seems to me that the Duchene deal was unique and can't easily be replicated. It took a long time for Sakic to pull it off, he took a lot of heat, many said he was the worst GM for squandering Duchene's value while he was playing hardball well over the year it took for him to move him.
Other GMs acting now, won't have the luxury of time. And they may not have as scarce an asset to deal, especially one with term left on the contract. It was a confluence of events that may just not be replicated.
Oh, I agree. Only a Melnyck - Dorian duo could have paid that random for Duchene. Doesn't mean Bergevin isn't overly optimistic because of it.