Ottawa traded for a big-name, big-money player in hopes of winning in the short-term. The Flyers of five years ago would have done that, but not anymore.
The Ottawa Senators made a gigantic trade today, acquiring defenseman Dion Phaneuf (and the six years and $42 million remaining on his contract) from the Toronto Maple Leafs in a whopping nine-player trade.
I had three immediate reactions to this deal.
"Hey, Toronto just ditched a huge salary. Good for them."
Here's what the Leafs got:
- D Jared Cowen (age 25, $3.