Trade!

Excuse my French, but what in the FUCK just happened?

"I have absolutely no idea," said Safari. "I can't even understand it."

The Leafs/Sens trade was a shocker (extra pinky) to Commissioner Randy, as I am sure it was a shocker to everyone inside the Ring. We've got four select-GM's who are Sens fans and one Leafs fan. Even with these collective minds, no one could come up with a reasonable explanation.

"I was shocked," said Sitch. "It really doesn't make any sense."

"Agreed," said Dick Burns, Tree Bone and Burgundy in unison.

But, hey, I'm not here to analyze NHL transactions. Why would I do that, when I can analyze Randy League transactions instead? That is the whole purpose of my being, is it not? To report on all things Randy? ("Jeah!" screeched Burgundy.)

So, let's get down to the trade which occurred just a few days ago:

DICK BURNS receives

- Tyler Seguin

- Taylor Hall

SAFARI receives

- Nicklas Backstrom

- Dustin Byfuglien

So, what do we make out of this trade?

Adds McGuire: Such an interesting trade, Commissioner Randy. Tyler Seguin, who was almost (almost!) kept by Sitch instead of Stamkos, has been a gem for Safari this year. In my mind, he's a Keeper, so to have such a high profile name in a trade is incredible. If I use the "Don Cherry" trade analysis methodology, i.e. whoever got the best PLAYER wins the trade, I have to give the nod to Dick Burns.

"Suck it, Safari," says Seguin.

A clear win for Dick Burns?

Adds McGuire: Based on the "Don Cherry", yes. Seguin is one phenomenal Popsicle, and I think Dick got a sweet deal. But with Dick being 300+ points away from the lead, it will be a tough climb if he thinks Seguin alone will help him make it to the top. My guess is that Dick is looking to have Seguin as a Keeper next year. It would be a smart move, but it'd be ideal if he could snag a first or second round pick with another trade; this way he could keep Seguin and Price (who, in my opinion, is also a Keeper). 

And Safari: what about him? Did he get the "Bryan Murray" award, i.e. getting fleeced on a trade?

Adds McGuire: Absolutely not. Backstrom is, and always will be, a highly underrated player in the NHL. He plays second fiddle to Ovechkin, and you could argue that he's third fiddle with the emergence of Kuznetsov. And Big Byfuglien is just as valuable as Erik Karlsson, so Safari got a pretty good mix of players too. Given that Safari has dependable scorers in Tarasenko, Ovechkin and Kuznetsov, I think it was OK to give up Seguin. Safari needs help on defense, and he definitely got it!

Thanks Pierre; always love your insight.