Since ZM was just signed here semi- recently, is it possible Shero asked ZM where he'd like to go so as not look like a **** to other possible FA's? And just took the best offer from that team? I realize this was a pure salary dump and the idea sounds far fetched.
Doesn't sound far-fetched at all. Sounds like good business. It can be a salary dump and be player-friendly at the same time.
In that same vein, I've seen Orpik's name in other threads about trade speculation. Orpik took a lot less money to re-up with the Pens than he could have gotten from ... was it Buffalo that was ready to throw lots of cash at him? Anyway, I know that was a few years ago, and it certainly worked out for both sides, since the Pens won the Cup the following season. But if Shero traded him to, say, Columbus, that probably wouldn't help Ray the next time he asked anyone for a hometown discount. My point being that I think it's wise not to treat these players solely as commodities.