Trade Grades - Good Idea/Bad Idea?

As noted by reporters such as Ben Pope of the CST, there are a lot of similarities between Hagel and Sam Lafferty, our newly acquired winger from the Pittsburgh Penguins. Can Sam be the new Brandon? As a native Pennsylvanian, I say Sam is his own man, and while he brings a very similar skill set to the group, I think he also brings a bit more muscle, and we'll see him grow into exactly what type of player he'll be over the rest of the season. That being said, it seems Hagel has done just as much good in Tampa as Sam is doing in Chicago, and while they weren't traded for each other, these two particular trades seem to be working out for all involved. (Though I'm sure Chicago misses getting those bagels.)

And just as Chicago misses its bagels, I'm sure Vegas is missing its donuts from whenever Fleury got a shutout. And Pittsburgh just plain misses him, as Chicago will, as I'm sure anyone who's ever met him does when he is no longer in their life. Did it sting when Fleury chose to leave the Hawks? 100%. Mostly because for a minute, it seemed like he was going to stick it out. He truly loved his teammates, and to say it wasn't an easy decision for him is the understatement of the year.
Marc-André Fleury is not a quitter. We've all heard the announcers and coaches and teammates say on repeat - he never quits on a play. He never quits on the puck. He never quits on his team. And while this move to Minnesota may feel like abandonment, especially since they're a division rival, we have to look at what Fleury gave to Chicago while he was here. He and Kevin Lankinen became instant friends and were able to learn from each other. Those lessons will stick with them both, as will Fleury's positive attitude and support.

Hagel's all right in Tampa. Fleury is flourishing in Minnesota. The Hawks' new guys have stepped up, as have their veterans. These trades hurt emotionally, but physically, they were the right choices, and the Hawks will continue to grow into the team we want them to be, and we know they can be, again.