KIRK reminded me in the PGT that the Hossa trade happened because management pushed Shero to make the move, so you can't use him as "proof" Shero has made wingers a priority.
The book about the Pens by, I think it was Andrew Conte, had 2 interesting stories:
1. The Hossa trade. Ray was afraid to pull the trigger. Mario's attitude was anything can happen in the playoffs, and a guy like Hossa gives you a better chance to win. Mario basically had to tell him not to be afraid to do it.
2. The Therrien firing. Earlier January 2009, there's an organizational meeting in NY before a game against the Rangers. Ownership pressed Shero on what plans he had to snap the team out of it. His basic answer was 'haven't even thought about a coaching change, always looking for a trade but can't find one'.
Let's get it straight. Ray Shero is risk averse. You can credit him for the Whitney deal. Maybe even the Hossa deal. But, what else since the Pens won the cup?
Gogo for Nisky and Neal? Big ******* deal. Your #5 for a #5 and a goal scoring winger. Some 'risk' there.
Trading Staal. Nope. He had no choice there.
Let Cooke and Talbot walk. Nope. They priced themselves out. Traded TK. Arbitration would've priced him out anyway.
Traded futures. Wow, I'm so impressed by the daring.
Look, in the Hossa deal, Sid's BFF was traded in what legitimately could be considered a deal that risked chemistry. In the Kunitz deal, your #3 defenseman was dealt because you risked trusting a young Letang and others to pick up the minutes.
Ray Shero was a really good GM before the Pens won the cup, not just with those two deals but with a lot of little moves that ALL served the purpose of making the Pens a ***** to play against. His undoing as a GM was the Pens winning the cup.
