There were plenty of trade rumors around Phaneuf at the time and a lot of Leafs fans actually thought that was a good framework, so it wasn't totally outlandish. Even if you don't agree with that, Gorges was traded to Buffalo on July 1. I'm sure he would've waived to come here over Buffalo if we'd made an offer.
I was surprised by what Kulemin got too, but I wouldn't be surprised if he lives up to it. The summer after his big season was the Lokomotiv crash, and apparently he lost a really good friend which really shook him up. He struggled that season and never got another chance at more than a shutdown role in Toronto. I think he gets 20-20 this year.
Trade rumors mean squat IMO. There are 100 rumors for every deal that actually gets done it seems and thus I have a hard time putting any credence in any of them. And what fans think might be a basis for a deal and what actually makes a deal are usually very different.
And while I wanted the Caps to trade for Gorges also he ended up being dealt for a 2nd that is very likely to be extremely early in that round. No way the Habs feel the Caps 2nd in '16 is going to be close to that so are you willing to make that a 1st? And no a middling prospect and the 2nd doesn't close the gap IMO. And no sending a roster player to Montreal at that time doesn't make sense either as the reason they dealt Gorges to begin with was to make sure they had room to resign Subban.
And it doesn't matter what Kulimen does this year. The Caps in no way needed such a player. Paying that for a player you in no way need is simply absurd. And arguing that is the way they should have gone is unbelievably absurd, IMO of course.
I get it, not a fan of Orpik and possibly Niskanen. That doesn't make adding Kulimen for $4+ mil just so you can get Grabovski and then roll out last year's defense or pay a 1st for Gorges anywhere close to a better scenario IMO.
So again, I'll take straight cash for a much better defense and a possible hole at 2C over Grabovski, Gorges, and a way overpaid winger they don't in anyway need plus the loss of a 1st in '16.