Another "what if"...Quebec never traded Dale Hunter?

Question

On a side note before I begin...I am vowing to ignore our resident "Isles insider" for the duration (or until he finds a way to get banned, whichever comes first). Now, on to the question at hand.

Back in 1987, the Nordiques traded Dale Hunter to the Capitals for a draft pick. Of course, we all know that the draft pick in question was none other than Burnaby Joe Sakic, the very pulse of the Colorado Avalanche.

I ask this: if the fates were to have prevented this trade, what would the futures of the Capitals and Nordiques/Avalanche have been like? Could you imagine Peter Bondra getting fed passes from Sakic, especially during the team's rise as an Eastern/Wales conference power?

What of the Nords/Avs?

LITY- Interesting note about Calgary...if Sakic ended up there according to you, can you imagine how well-heeled THAT team would have been? There almost certainly wouldn't have been those dark ages from 1997-2004.

Answer 1

be thankful they made the trade that year.

Darrin Rumble was the #1 guy on Washington's list that year. They made the trade believing that he would fall to #36..........instead Philadelphia also had Rumble as their #1 pick, and took him.

So, had the trade not been made, Darrin Rumble would have been a big bust in Washington, and Calgary would have had Joe Sakic (based on what teams were looking for at the time).

What of the Nords/Avs?
- well they stuill finish last for 3 straight seasons and get Sundin, Nolan, and Lindros
- they still move to Denver
- not sure they win the Cup in 1996 though

What would have happened to Washington?
- not sure the lack of Dale Hunter changes them. Dale Hunter was not unique. He provided a role that many players in the NHL have fulfilled. The ice time he took up could have been used by others.

I think the trade had more of an impact on Quebec than Washington

Answer 2

LITY hit the point I wanted to make with regards to Sakic's draft uncertainty.

However, on a tangent, if Hunter doesn't go to Washington, maybe Pierre Turgeon's career doesn't get cross-checked into oblivion in '93.

Answer 3

So to extraplate from this and what LITY said. If Sakic ends up in Calgary, he does his seven years and scrams (Flames had money issues and couldn't hold anyone as the Canadian dollar was at it's weakest point). Then the highest bidder scenario happens and the three top money teams before the cap were Leafs, Red Wings and Rangers. HMMMMM.

Answer 4

i'd say Jose Reyes and David Wright in a tie. For the extra suitable or worst, they are the symbols of the Mets franchise and what our equipment has been waiting to offer. i'd provide the element to asserting Reyes has a miles better probability of enjoying right here longer nonetheless, on account that he's extra of a different participant. he's by using be a loose agent, yet i'm beneficial they're going to lock him as much as an extension. i'd wager Santana and Beltran will retire Mets too, yet they did no longer come by using our equipment, like Reyes or Wright did, so it rather is not any longer unavoidably a similar. i think of the Yankees would desire to pull a Patrick Ewing or Hakeem Olujuwan on Derek Jeter. In different phrases, they gained't prefer to pay him and could finally prefer to a distinctive SS or probable even flow A-Rod over. Jeter's going to must be keen to take a huge pay cut back in a recession. different communities would make large grants too, understanding he would desire to sell some tickets. i think of the only participant who i could no longer see finishing up out of the team he's with nonetheless is Albert Pujols. form of like Tim Duncan with the Spurs interior the NBA, he's fairly favorite by ability of his followers and the team looks committed to paying him the great volume of money it takes to maintain him. i do no longer think of Howard or Hamels are going to retire as Phillies. It in all probability in basic terms isn't using trades, till they become uncompetitive, or much less costly and want possibilities. it is going to likely be extra that they'd't arise with the money for to maintain them. a similar would desire to ensue with the Giants and Lincecum, besides because of the fact the Diamondbacks with Webb, in basic terms like it rather is in all probability the Padres will commerce Peavy in some unspecified time interior the destiny. it rather is not any longer ordinary for middle marketplace communities to pay those participant's a similar volume communities like the Yankees, crimson Sox, Mets and Dodgers are keen to.

Answer 5

I'll vow as well. From right now


As for the real question; I find that What if's really dont get anyway in the world of sports

Answer 6

That my friend, we shall never know.