This is a dumb trade. Like, the dumbest of trades. I get the rationale behind it and would even agree to it if it weren't for a slew of other issues. That's coming from someone who think Talbot might rebound out of Edmonton.
-Stolarz is an RFA, Talbot is a UFA. Talbot might rebound, but how the hell are we going to know that based on half a season of work? So, either he does well for half a season in a 1B role and he gets a bigger contract than Stolarz would and we risk him imploding next year? Or he sucks ass this half season and we either lost Stolarz for nothing or sign him anyway? Like, what's the plan there?
-Oilers were in cap hell, we just helped them out big time and did a one for one swap despite offering the better player, at the moment, to boot. How in the f*** do you not squeeze out SOMETHING of value in addition here? Oilers had no leverage whatsoever.
-We already have Neuvirth and Elliott under contract. Is the plan to just keep them both on IR the rest of the season and sign Talbot on half a season of sample size now?
My faith in Fletcher was small based upon his previous work, it's starting to wane. If he doesn't move Simmonds this deadline for something of value then I'm on the f*** him, he's just another in the line of mediocrity boat.
EDIT: It's not even half a season, it's like 20 f***ing games left in the season. So 10'ish depending on his role.