Most of the discussion (at least recently) hasn't been focused on Byram.
The real gulf exists with the default assumptions being made on each side. Avs fans are focused on a scenario where they're on an extremely short list of preferred teams. Flyers fans are (often) assuming the list will be longer and therefore invite more competitive offers.
This is what's causing a majority of the talking in circles.
Interchange Byram with Newhook, or the infamous "blue chip", it's all the same.
The bolded is what I was getting at, though. It's fine if you want to say "in this scenario, this is a likely outcome" . But people (on either side, for what it's worth) saying "this is what's going to happen" because of some pre conceived assumption are out to lunch.
There's basically no scenario that exists where Fletcher is able to swindle Sakic for a first+blue chip, short of Sakic being told he has to win it this year or he's fired (an unlikely at best scenario). Yes, he's arguably the best rental to hit the market. But his cap and NMC will cause some devaluation. That's just the reality of the situation.
Equally, there's also basically no scenario that the Flyers trade Giroux for a 3rd and the Avs 6th best RHD prospect because "the avs are the only team on Girouxs list". In that unlikely scenario, yes the Flyers probably just keep him and send him off with a heroes farewell at seasons end. It's better optics for the fans (when in the offseason you can say the offers werent there), and it lends itself better to Fletcher not getting bent in future trade scenarios. Though, the Riatolainen deal already sealed that, so maybe it's too late already.
