KIRK
Registered User
- Aug 2, 2005
- 109,700
- 51,216
Haha, just another term for an elephant, hippo or rhino!
Assuming by elephant, you're referring to the the serious Letang trade talks?
I know what it meant. I was being facetious.
I assume it would have been centered around Bjugstad?
I will never know 100%, but it's my understanding that JR was offered a good piece and a 1st. I suspect it was Bjustad or Dadonov. I am guessing Bjustad. JR asked for 2 good pieces and the 1st. Tallon countered with the good piece, a 1st, and a lesser piece.
If you remember the Kypreos thing, where he and others were talking Letang, that was a Saturday before Christmas. No denials. On Wednesday, DK's site actually said 'they may be thinking about moving Letang'. No denial. Thursday comes. It's my understanding that there's a major meeting, including ownership, where they decide they're willing to pull the trigger in theory. On Thursday is when you get the counters between JR and Tallon. Friday morning, JR decides it's not enough and tables discussions for the season. Then, he has the media guys do out there to say he was never considering moving Letang.
I don't know what the lesser piece was, but I suspect JR wanted Bjustad, Dadonov, and a 1st. There may have been other elements to balance out (a lesser forward for a lesser defenseman), but that's what I think he wanted.
I can't imagine that their big 3 were in play. If Tallon had offered Huberdeau/Barkov/Trotchek, a 1st, and a lesser piece for Letang, I can't imagine it wouldn't have been done. BUT, an offer of Bjustad, 1st, and a 3rd piece that wasn't Dadonov . . . I get JR deciding to table discussions for that.
To repeat, it's my understanding ONLY that JR wanted 2 good pieces and a 1st and was offered a good piece, a lesser piece, and a 1st. The specific names are mostly speculative.
EDIT: I am assuming there would've been another deal or two, if Letang had been traded then, to address the defense like they did last year when Letang got injured.