Also, this is no longer a real factor, but at the time of the trade there was a very real risk of expansion coming at the end of next season. Had that been the case, Dion would have taken up a protection slot assuming he was unwilling to waive like last time.
Sidenote: if Dion had waived his NTC, we would have kept Methot and probably lost Wideman or Borowiecki. Unless we were going to turn around and trade Methot anyways, though, it was probably for the best that we let him go. He has played 45 games for Dallas since he landed there. It seems like he may not play again this year and he would has cost $9.8mil.
Trade 1: Awful for us
Trade 2: Awful for CLB
Trade 3: Works for me!