bigwillie
Registered User
So, the Pacioretty/Rivet trade got me thinking about another trade in Sharks history, one that I'm actually generally still pretty undecided on.
In late 2003, the Sharks traded then third string goalie Miika Kiprusoff to the Calgary Flames for a 2nd rounder. At the time, I was actually thrilled with the deal, as Kiprusoff, while talented, had floundered in two opportunities to take the starting job in San José. He was stuck behind two goalies who, at the time, had done infinitely better at the NHL level in Evgeni Nabokov and Vesa Toskala (who before going to Toronto to die, was actually a very competent goalie). When the deal was made, I was thrilled the Sharks got a 2nd rounder.
Then, fast forward to the Western Conference finals, where Kipper had caught fire in Calgary and lead the Flames past the Sharks in 6 games to advance to the Cup finals. He'd go on to win a Vezina trophy and take two more top-3 finishes, becoming on the best goalies in the league for a period of time and an essential part of the Flames core, right along Jarome Iginla. Now, not so thrilled.
But, the 2nd round pick the Sharks got? They used that to take M.E. Vlasic, who would make the team out of training camp at age 19 and would eventually become one of, if not the, best shutdown defenseman in the league. He's still only 30 and with his style of play, should continue being a top-4, at the very least, for the next 5+ years. He would eventually help lead the Sharks to their first Cup finals berth. Most Sharks fans are now thrilled to have him.
So, I guess my question is: How do you judge this trade? Do you judge it at the time of the deal, without the benefit of hindsight, as a 3rd string prospect for a 2nd rounder? Or do you look heavily at the fact that Kipper helped defeat the Sharks in 2004? How does Vlasic's long career in SJ factor in? His current level of play? Do you just compare Kiprusoff and Vlasic straight up?
I'm not so much looking for a declaration of a winner, more just some insight as to what variables you place the most importance on in judging the winner.
In late 2003, the Sharks traded then third string goalie Miika Kiprusoff to the Calgary Flames for a 2nd rounder. At the time, I was actually thrilled with the deal, as Kiprusoff, while talented, had floundered in two opportunities to take the starting job in San José. He was stuck behind two goalies who, at the time, had done infinitely better at the NHL level in Evgeni Nabokov and Vesa Toskala (who before going to Toronto to die, was actually a very competent goalie). When the deal was made, I was thrilled the Sharks got a 2nd rounder.
Then, fast forward to the Western Conference finals, where Kipper had caught fire in Calgary and lead the Flames past the Sharks in 6 games to advance to the Cup finals. He'd go on to win a Vezina trophy and take two more top-3 finishes, becoming on the best goalies in the league for a period of time and an essential part of the Flames core, right along Jarome Iginla. Now, not so thrilled.
But, the 2nd round pick the Sharks got? They used that to take M.E. Vlasic, who would make the team out of training camp at age 19 and would eventually become one of, if not the, best shutdown defenseman in the league. He's still only 30 and with his style of play, should continue being a top-4, at the very least, for the next 5+ years. He would eventually help lead the Sharks to their first Cup finals berth. Most Sharks fans are now thrilled to have him.
So, I guess my question is: How do you judge this trade? Do you judge it at the time of the deal, without the benefit of hindsight, as a 3rd string prospect for a 2nd rounder? Or do you look heavily at the fact that Kipper helped defeat the Sharks in 2004? How does Vlasic's long career in SJ factor in? His current level of play? Do you just compare Kiprusoff and Vlasic straight up?
I'm not so much looking for a declaration of a winner, more just some insight as to what variables you place the most importance on in judging the winner.
