Fact of the matter is, we're not talking about a dime-a-dozen defensive prospect in Ron Hainsey. This, for you baseball followers, is your prototypical five-tool player.
Hainsey is a strong, fluid skater that almost looks like he's floating above the ice when he leads the rush; he runs a powerplay exceptionally well, where his above-average shot and playmakers' vision are great assets to him at either the left, or the right, point. For a 6'3 defenceman, we have not seen exceptionally physical play from him, but big number eight hasn't been a whole lot more physical during his stay than Hainsey, and believe me, that nasty, physical side of Ron Hainsey is far more than a push and a shove here and there, watch some tape from last year's Calder Cup if you'd like proof. He is often knocked for poor defensive play, but he stands up his man very well and his outlet pass does more to clear the defensive zone than anyone running around trying to smash a forward. So what if he plays confidently and lives the life, he'll grow up, and if he doesn't it, than what harm ever came from a Hab with high confidence, if anything it'll get knocked down a few notches to a normal level as he deals with the media and the pressure in Montreal.
You don't just trade a guy like this. He has the potential, that being the key word, to do so much for your team. Just like you don't trade a Mike Komisarek, an Andrei Markov, or a Sheldon Souray. We are so lucky to have four potentially incredible defenceman, the moment they all hit their strides and click we'll have a heck of a defence, a heck of a coach, a pair of excellent centremen and a heck of a goaltender; isn't that what we all want?
