As is the case with all trades, there are two ways to look at this - emotionally and logistically. Emotionally, this particular one hurts in a way that makes losing the lovability of Adam Larsson seem like a sentimental hang nail. The second Adam Henrique put to rest the demons of '94 and finished off the cross river rivals with his second series-clinching overtime tally in as many attempts he became so much more than a promising rookie coming up through an organization who was in need of young talent. It wasn't one of the timeless moments that ultimately resulted in the raising of three Stanley Cup banners, but the goal that brought to eternal life Doc Emrick's "Henrique...IT'S OVER!" call is embedded nearly as deeply in the hearts of Devils' fans. Since he helped New Jersey advance to Finals, a variety of circumstances that were out of his control made it so that the heroics became few and far between. That, however, didn't stop Adam Henrique from becoming the face of a rebuild that finally appears to be coming to fruition. By all accounts (See: Rico's Soiree), he was just as appreciated in a locker room that was growing and maturing together as he was/is throughout the entirety of its fanbase, so his work both on and off the ice makes this trade a pill that's hard to swallow. Logistically, on the other hand, it's a pill that's been sitting in Ray Shero's desk as a potential cure to what ails his team most since he lucked into drafting a dynamic forward first overall this past summer. Never mind the offseason hearsay of an eerily similar swap, because Adam Henrique's demotion to the bottom half of the lineup when this team was at it's healthiest was an unmistakable sign that the Devils' had a surplus of forwards. In both theory and execution, that made a versatile-but-consistently inconsistent 20-25 goal scorer expendable. Sami Vatanen is primarily an offensive force from the blue line, so I'm not sure he's the end all-be all to the Devils' defensive woes. I am sure, however, sure that he just became a bargain as the most talented player at a position of need. If you include the sentimental value as part of the package then this trade undoubtedly feels like less than a steal, but when you consider that a couple of months ago the going rate for a quality defenseman was basically an organizational castration then it's tough to consider this anything but a huge win. The Devils are currently benefiting from the premium that young, up-and-coming defenseman are currently at as Taylor Hall makes Oilers' fans more and more manic depressive every time he takes the ice, and they just got a dynamic one at a rate that has to be considered a discount. If I created a lineup of beloved Devils then Adam Henrique has got a case for the Top-6, but as it stands now he's optimally a third liner player that can contribute on special teams. Detach the name and memories that come with it, and his importance to this team plus that of a prospect that couldn't beat out journeyman-turned-juggernaut Brian Gibbons for the final roster spot pales in comparison to what Sami Vatanen brings to the table as an unquestioned Top-4 defenseman. What he lacks in his own zone, he should make up for by keeping the Devils out of it, and that's invaluable to a group that's treating 22 year old Steve Santini like a sacrificial lamb. My only concern is that this causes some sort of rift in the locker room due to Henrique's presence as a leader in it, but even his now former teammates should be able to see that this was a move that had to be made in the interest of their future. I think the fact that it felt like it was only a matter of time has taken some of the sting away for me, so hopefully it did the same for a team that's managed to play above the handicap they just addressed. It pains me to say it, but Sami Vatanen fits the mantra this team has finally started to turn fruitful better than Adam Henrique and he does so from a far more depleted position. Ray Shero - once again - took advantage of a vulnerable Ducks' team, and in doing so he made the Devils a more balanced one whose roster is just as flexible going forward. There will never be a time in my life when watching the following video won't send goosebumps throughout my entire body, so it's impossible not to find myself emotionally conflicted by viewing this knowing the inevitability of seeing Rico in an ugly sweater (sorry, not sorry Anaheim) a week before Christmas... However - after you get a good cry in, of course - this video should help you cheer up as you wipe away the tears...
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