Remember when Torts scratched Luongo in the Winter Classic and people tried to justify it?
Distraction and changing fan opinions.
Fans didn't bitc* much about the return at the time. It was too hard to make trades remember, but they seem to happen quickly given the right stimulus.
Trades happen if there is need or stimulus. GM's aren't hired to do the easy jobs, they are supposed to be able to do this kind of thing. Otherwise anyone could.
In my mind when the he was sat I thought it was wrong BUT also it instigated the trade which IMO was to get into a rebuild position and have really good draft spots for the two years because the team would lose due to very poor goaltending not because the team was broken up.
Benning/Linden decided on Virtanen the scouting department wanted Larkin but the rest of that draft was Gillis guys. Ahhh what could have been, Horvat then a top 3 pick followed with another top 3 pick plus the early 2nd rounders and the ap space Gillis's guys had modeled into the team. Just like Tampa did, a top team tanks for two years, gets Stamkos and Hedman then a resurgence and cups. Other teams have done that too but they were already good or getting better.
Boeser's agent would never admit his client demands a trade but he may say they are okay with a trade, pretty much the same thing only a little less stimulus to get it done immediately. IMO they are giving the Canuck team the chance to get the best deal.
Now if only Miller's agent is doing the same for the 2n "stalwart" okay with a move. Who is Boeser's agent? Thats' a hint maybe