At the trade deadline day some of you weren't too impressed with only picking up Todd Simpson. . .Simpson isn't a Norris Trophy candidate, but he is a veteran and a former captain (Calgary) and tough. With our banged up blueline, atleast one D would have played in the last 3 games from Hamilton, along with rookie Mark Streit.
A nice solid, low key move by Gainey picking up a veteran depth D who doesn't hurt you.
[sarcasm] yeah but we can't just go wasting 6rd picks every year. I mean we coulda found a great one like Pavel Datsyuk who was a 6th rounder, or another Andrei Markov [/sarcasm]
Seriously though, little risk for a guy who brings a veteran physical presence on the blueline. A very good, if unnoticed deadline move. Sixth round picks are a crap shoot and good players seem to only come around every 2 years or so, so we gave up a 1/60 chance at a decent player for an improved defence for a playoff run. I'll take that.
Simpson looks ok, but this guy couldn't even crack the line-up in Chi-town. Believe me, there is a reason they let him go for a 6th round pick. Good move for a veteran with a bit of toughness but he isn't a good defenseman and he will make mistakes. I watched him in Calgary and there was a reason he went from Captain to trade bait...
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