Nik the Trik said:
No, moving Phaneuf is a clear indication that management doesn't believe that Phaneuf can get it done.
Which is why I specified moving him for futures. Moving him for something that will help the team now would be an indication they don't believe in him. Moving him without bringing back players that make the team better now is a pretty clear move for the future rather than the present.
Nik the Trik said:
Who? Kessel will be 29, JVR will be 28, Bozak will be 29, Kadri will be 26, Bernier will be 28, Gardiner will be 26, Rielly 22 and so on. That's nearing the end of their primes for some of them, sure, but without a single guy at 30? And that's before any potential additions from within the system or via trade or free agency
http://www.arcticicehockey.com/2010/1/21/1261318/nhl-points-per-game-peak-age
Prime production seasons are the years between age 23 and 27. So, that's means pretty much everyone that you listed there is past their prime production seasons. That doesn't mean they won't continue to be productive players, but, they'll be players on the approaching downside of their career rather than the peak.