Even though he just got 103 points?
I get that he has a history of being a known malcontent, but he still put up those numbers. They still re-signed him knowing what he was. They viewed it as valuable. How come that view wasn't shared by the Buyers? Why do it now when the 4 Nations and the TDL was around the corner? They didn't have to.
Horvat is the better player.
Yes. Even though. This particular situation goes way beyond the ice. I think that's what some people are having a hard time realizing when they look at it. The players aren't robots. They are humans who are effected by toxic work environments just like most of us are. Maybe even more so. The fact that Van just moved out a 100pt player while fighting for a playoff spot should be all the evidence we need. Miller isn't a good teammate. This has been his MO at every other location. He rubs people the wrong way and it effects everyone around. He's also soon to be 32 and lets not pretend his contract will age well.
This was the very definition of addition by subtraction. The fact we walk away with a 1st while shedding the player and his contract is pretty impressive. Nobody will ever be able to convince me otherwise.