I believe that is the problem for some people who are distraught over this trade.

Lovejoy isn't the same player he was 2 years ago.
- rival22

Much better player now then he was when he was here. However if he's better then Despres its slight and Lovejoy has reached his peak. I don't have an issue with trading Despres I just thought it would be in a different type of trade. We are going to be less penalized and mistakes will be cut down on this year with these acquisitions. That's ok but it's still very new and I'm sure by the next game we will be over it.

Other GM's apparently don't share your opinion of Despres' value.
- hardnosed

I read a few stories where anonymous assistant GM's or whatever were suprised by the return.

In any case, if the best deal for Despres out there is a straight-up trade for Lovejoy, you just don't trade him. He's signed for $900K this seaon & next w/ 2 years of RFA after that. A panic move trade makes no sense; he isn't an expiring UFA or something.

Because Shero gave him away. Look at what he has done since. We all know the deal wasn't great value, but they feel they gave us a great chance to win now and didn't mortage the future.
- usethe1-2-2

Is my point more credible if I make it bold?
Despres was the future.

If GMJR traded a 1st rd pick for Lovejoy would you be saying good move?

I read a few stories where anaymous assistant GM's or whatever were suprised by the return.

In any case, if the best deal for Despres out there is a straight-up trade for Lovejoy, you just don't trade him. He's signed for $900K this seaon & next w/ 2 years of RFA after that. A panic move trade makes no sense; he isn't an expiring UFA or something.
- s0rcerer1984

After giving up what we did for Perron and Winnik, this move was necessary. We are all in this year. Would you be more comfortable with Depres in the Stanley Cup against the Hawks or with Lovejoy? Yeah Despres has potential, but so does Beau Bennett.

I sure like the way we played against Columbus, we set up Base Camp in the Jackets' crease ! every time they entered the zone at least one player made a bee line for the net !!! dirty goals !!

Is my point more credible if I make it bold?
Despres was the future.

If GMJR raded a 1st rd pick for Lovejoy would you be saying good move?
- all-pgh

Same applies for bold

Is my point more credible if I make it bold?
Despres was the future.

If GMJR raded a 1st rd pick for Lovejoy would you be saying good move?
- all-pgh

We have plenty of Dmen who can replace him in the wings. Not to mention Cole is young and an RFA as well.

Despres was the future.
- all-pgh

And now he's the past.

I sure like the way we played against Columbus, we set up Base Camp in the Jackets' crease ! every time they entered the zone at least one player made a bee line for the net !!! dirty goals !!
- Bradlee3

We will have played 2 games in a week after Wednesday's game.. the struggle is real. Although it gives Winnik more practice time. It would be nice though if we had that stretch now after getting two new dmen. Too lazy to look at our upcoming schedule now though, but I'm sure it's not as spread out

Is my point more credible if I make it bold?
Despres was the future.

If GMJR raded a 1st rd pick for Lovejoy would you be saying good move?
- all-pgh

Despres may not have been the future; That seems to be Letang, Pouliot, & Maatta.

Still, Despres was a solid, young 5/6 Dman who was signed cheap next season w/ 2 more years of RFA. The Penguins were 3 seasons away from having to pay him over ~$1.3M/yr. Its not like the decision to move him had to be made now if the return wasn't big enough.

And now he's the past.
- hardnosed

I laugh when I think that none of Shero's 1st 4 years of drafts are with the team.

We have plenty of Dmen who can replace him in the wings. Not to mention Cole is young and an RFA as well.
- znagle

who, dumo and Harrington? Theyre a few years away from being reliable and now you just don't know with Maatas shoulder.

Its like everyone has forgotten that Dumoulin looked the best when first brought up and we were all comfortable with him starting next year... Out of sight out of mind apparently

I think Rutherford wasn't comfortable with any of the current dmen as a playoff #4. Lovejoy will likely be with Ehrhoff.

Third pair is going to be interesting.

Its like everyone has forgotten that Dumoulin looked the best when first brought up and we were all comfortable with him starting next year... Out of sight out of mind apparently
- Guile

Yeah I still think he was the best of them. Pouliot has gotten mighty comfortable now. He looks like a Letang clone. Only thing DP is missing is the bite of Letang, but that will come with more time. Next year we could very well have Dumo and DP playing and buy out/trade Scuds somehow.

I'll be Honest here: I'd have been more confortable had we traded Bennett for Lovejoy than Despres.

You could argue we have too many young D and no forward prospects but I do think Despres is a very good D for his price.

I think Rutherford wasn't comfortable with any of the current dmen as a playoff #4. Lovejoy will likely be with Ehrhoff.

Third pair is going to be interesting.
- rival22

If Lovejoy is solid, and Cole turns into our new Despres (potential wise) do you think everyone will still female dog about it? I think Cole will be pretty good.

Is my point more credible if I make it bold?
Despres was the future.

If GMJR traded a 1st rd pick for Lovejoy would you be saying good move?
- all-pgh

Despres WAS a 1st round pick. He currently isn't valued as a 1st round pick

I'll be Honest here: I'd have been more confortable had we traded Bennett for Lovejoy than Despres.

You could argue we have too many young D and no forward prospects but I do think Despres is a very good D for his price.
- Barnaby36

Anaheim has too many offensive prospects, no way they do a top 4 dman with another year for 1 million for BB

Its like everyone has forgotten that Dumoulin looked the best when first brought up and we were all comfortable with him starting next year... Out of sight out of mind apparently
- Guile

IMO martin and Erhoff are gone and I said my concerns w/ Maata so that leaves Letang, Scuderi, Lovejoy, Cole, Pouloit, and rookies and an inexpensive FA or two.

Despres WAS a 1st round pick. He currently isn't valued as a 1st round pick
- willi

that wasn't my question

Anaheim has too many offensive prospects, no way they do a top 4 dman with another year for 1 million for BB
- znagle

We got screwed on this deal there's no other way around. If Lovejoy is really a top 4 d-man nowadays it remains to be seen by us.

IMO martin and Erhoff are gone and I said my concerns w/ Maata so that leaves Letang, Scuderi, Lovejoy, Cole, Pouloit, and rookies and an inexpensive FA or two.
- all-pgh

You are just a bit harsh on not counting Dumoulin are a solid 5-6 Dman. Its not ideal, but its not like we are going to be having slow ass defensment aside from Scuds next year if we are rolling out those players.

that wasn't my question
- all-pgh

To answer your question, no people wouldn't be happy trading a 1st pick for Lovejoy. But GR didn't, he traded Despres

We got screwed on this deal there's no other way around. If Lovejoy is really a top 4 d-man nowadays it remains to be seen by us.
- Barnaby36

We just have to wait and see. Despres could flop in ANA, he was quoted the other day saying I've been playing well because I'm comfortable here. Now he goes elsewhere, 20 games left to the playoffs. I'm not sure if he even slots into there top 6.