The PK-Weber deal without emotion

An incredible day to say the least. Reminiscent of Brendan Shanahan for Chris Pronger or for you real old-timers, Johnny Bucyk for Terry Sawchuk back in '57.....Definitely a wild day today.

So, for starters, who is the better Dman; obviously Shea Weber. Hab fans have to take the emotion out of the deal. Subban's popularity overshadowed his play on the ice which at times resembled a cross between Larry Robinson and Guy Lapointe and at other times resembled a cross between Giles Lupien and Rick Chartraw-who played more at forward anyway..

Preds get a younger Dman, Habs save money on the cap, from there you're into semantics, stats, analytics, age, size, success to date, etc....All the debatable stuff...Let's look at what the deal really says.

Montreal management ( with the blessing of ownership ) and Nashville management ( with the blessing of ownership) both just moved corner stone pieces of their franchise...why?

The PK rumours have been out there for some time but who was saying anything about Weber? He just won the Mark Messier Award last week for Leadership...you guys remember the awards right? Doughty crushed Karlsson for the Norris; Weber finished 10th in voting, PK-14th....really not a lot to choose there.

What this deal really says is there had to be some truth to the rumours behind the scenes re PK and whatever-with his teammates, the room, whatever, there was a problem. We don't know....none of us....but clearly, management made a decision and moved him because when Weber became available they thought it would improve their team, simple as that...The fact they save a bit on the cap, that's a bonus but overall, clearly, to them they felt they've improved their team.....

But why would Nashville trade Weber? For starters, he's been supplanted as top D on the team by Josi, that we know. Nashville have been a very solid team for a number of years but suffer from West-coast flu, just so damn tough to exit from there it makes you sick....did they feel it was time for a change, mix it up, get a younger guy who can be a better add with Josi, clearly, they felt exactly that.

As it is with all trades we won't know until this season is well under way and likely more toward the end, at least the beginnings of who won this deal. Hockey people will tell you the only way to determine an early winner is who got the best player and in this case outside of passionate Hab fans who see almost no wrong with any of their players, the overwhelming majority are going to say Weber is the better D. That is 100% true.

Having said all that am I disappointed in the deal? Yes I am. I was/am a PK fan. I guess it's like Alfie heading to Detroit for Sens fans, Bourque to Colorado to win his Cup, Orr, Gretzky, Howe, Hull, Lafleur, Trottier, Shore, Harvey, Park, Lapointe, Horton, Savard, and on and on and on, Sittler, Keon, Morenz, Stevens, Blake, Chelios, Leetch, and on and on, who move on...and on; Coffey...Pronger, so many....

Only way this will be fully decided is on the ice. I feel Montreal got the better player and they have improved their team immeasurably since the draft with more to come it sounds like. Carey is 100% and going to play for Canada in the World Cup; PK will get a standing ovation his first game back in Montreal and he deserves it. I'll miss him in the CH but I know the Habs are a better team at this point and as it was when Lafleur left suddenly in 84, this too shall pass, better days are ahead. True hockey guys know who won the deal. Haters, people with agenda's or myopic fans will rail on nonsensically but true hockey people know, this is a win for Montreal at this point.

Pic-Liam Maguire, Brad Fritsch Robert Hill at Rideau View Golf Club, selling-buying beer ( Big Rig ) to support Fort Mac...Erin Hancock Phillips