Former Islander drops shocking backstory behind the franchise's biggest mistake involving Avalanche star
Photo credit: Dennis Schneidler / USA TODAY Sports
A former New York Islanders player has revealed a stunning backstory that sheds new light on what many believe was the franchise's biggest mistake, the trade that sent star defenseman Devon Toews to the Colorado Avalanche.
It's hard to believe, but five years have already passed since the Islanders made the fateful decision to trade Toews to the Avalanche in exchange for just two second-round picks.
Former Islander drops shocking backstory behind the Devon Toews trade.
Jackson Weber from The Sporting News writes that at the time of the trade, the move barely raised eyebrows.
But in hindsight, it has become one of the most lopsided deals in recent memory, as the Avalanche have reaped the rewards of adding a player who has since developed into one of the league's premier defenseman and a cornerstone of their blue line.
Former Islanders forward Cal Clutterbuck recently appeared on an episode of Spittin' Chiclets, where he was asked whether he was surprised when the trade that sent Toews to Colorado went down.
"Not really. Yes and no. I mean, again, we were in a position where we had done really well. Somebody had to go because the numbers just don't add up. So if you're looking at us in that year, you know, the difference between him and Ryan Pulock, it's like either him or Puls goes. And Puly was playing with Pely, and they were playing 23 minutes a game and shutting everyone down.
So I think at the time it was just sort of like we need to keep the kind of core guys intact, and obviously you'd love to have both of those guys; I think that goes without saying. But hindsight's 20/20. Maybe a little shocked, but at the time it was just like something needed to happen, and we were just waiting to see what it was, and that happened to be what it was." -Clutterbuck
So I think at the time it was just sort of like we need to keep the kind of core guys intact, and obviously you'd love to have both of those guys; I think that goes without saying. But hindsight's 20/20. Maybe a little shocked, but at the time it was just like something needed to happen, and we were just waiting to see what it was, and that happened to be what it was." -Clutterbuck
Originally drafted by the Islanders in the fourth round (108th overall) of the 2014 NHL Draft, Toews spent parts of two seasons on Long Island before being dealt to Colorado.
"To further display just how good Devon Toews has become since leaving Long Island, the 31-year-old earned the number seventeen spot on NHL Network's top 20 defensemen ranking revealed last week.
He's emerged as the perfect partner for superstar Cale Makar, as the two have not only helped lead the Avalanche to a Stanley Cup in 2021-22, but most recently, Team Canada to a victory at the 4 Nations." -Weber
He's emerged as the perfect partner for superstar Cale Makar, as the two have not only helped lead the Avalanche to a Stanley Cup in 2021-22, but most recently, Team Canada to a victory at the 4 Nations." -Weber
Remarkably, Toews might still be flying under the radar in some circles, largely because he shares the ice each night with Colorado's all-world talent.
Source:
The Sporting News
Former Islander shares backstory about trade that sent Devon Toews to Colorado
The Sporting News
Former Islander shares backstory about trade that sent Devon Toews to Colorado
TRENDING NOW
