Sid the kid touched the trophy the past two years and won so I’m not sure about the taboo. As for the sweetheart deal the team got in the expansion draft. Every team was allowed to protect 8 forwards 3 defensemen and a goalie plus all their players with less than 3 years experience , so everyone they drafted was at best a 3 rd liner or 2nd pairing d man. They got lucky that fleury (who was considered a playoff failure in recent years) was available, plus dale Tallon and the Florida management was stupid enough to pay them to take 2/3 of what is now their first line off his hands.
Fleury wasn’t considered a playoff failure in recent years. During Bylsma’s tenure, yes. (I still hate that guy.) He was considered a Conn Smyth candidate last year before Sullivan changed goalies permanently. Anyway his departure wasn’t because the Pens didn’t want him but because he (rightly so) wanted to be a number one goalie. Trades were explored then he decided the Vegas team was OK to go to. It was his call.
What a Bozo (Dale Tallon) for a GM. I couldn’t believe they didn’t keep those forwards. You’ve got to feel for Florida fans.