Yes, I am allowed to gripe about Renberg for Shanahan

Talking about trades is half the fun of following professional sports. Any sports fan can analyze trades made and their effects on both (or all three, or four) teams. Particular enjoyment is found in talking about trade rumors, trades that could possibly happen. There is rarely confirmation of trade rumors, especially the players involved. Why would a GM want to release that information? Still details persist and make their way through to the press, usually through an "unnamed source" or "sources close to the team". These sources could be real, or as real as a Jayson Blair source, it hardly matters to most fans. A trade proposal is something to chew on, to analyze, a chance to say "Do it! Make that deal in a heartbeat!" or "No way, if they make that trade they'll never win the title!" Sports journalism thrives on those extreme reactions, because either way a path is created to criticize the actions of the team or GM.
It's still weeks to the start of Eagles training camp, and the sports talk shows and local papers need stories to kill the time. It has become a trend to analyze Ed Wade's performance, or lack there of, as the Phillies GM. This discussion leads to trade talks, especially as we slowly approach the July 31 trade deadline. I was listening to the ol' 610 this morning headed home and one of my favorites, Jim Jackson, was talking about this phenomon of talking about trade rumors and just the way callers use trades to criticize organizations. I agreed with JJ about this, when he noted that not many callers disagreed with the Phils trading of Polanco for Urbina, I agreed. Personally, I didn't like the trade, not because I liked Polanco, but because I had hoped that the Phillies would have gotten some younger talent in exchange for him. I was still pleased with the effort, because that trade was a sign that the Phillies are willing to take risks to win now, which has been my knock on the franchise for the last seven or eight years. It is true, however, that reaction to that trade was overwhelmingly positive, until this weekend, with Polanco hitting .370 and Urbina giving up runs every time he steps into the bandbox at Broad and Pattison.
Jim then cited other examples of fan outcry about trades and non-trades since he has been in Philadelphia, and used Brendan Shanahan as an example. JJ sees it like this: Flyer fans complain about a trade that was probably never on the table, and look at the success of the player they could have gotten to dump blame on for the lack of Stanley Cups during Bob Clarke's term as GM. I see it like this: Deep down, I believe that the Flyers could have gotten Shanahan for Renberg ten years ago, I think Shanahan would have been great with the Flyers and yes, maybe they would have won a Cup or two. Shanahan would not have made the Flyers into the 96-98 Red Wings, that would have taken a Hall of Fame coach and one of the greatest defenses in my time. I think it is important to note that Shanahan and Lindros were/are friends, played together in Canada Cup action, played well together in fact. In 94-95, as Lindros' star was building, his parents were attempting to exercise more clout within the Flyer organization. During the bitter Lindros-Clarke feud of 2000-01, Clarke said on more than one occaision about how Carl Lindros used to say "Trade for this player" or "Trade this player away, he doesn't get along with Eric." This practice bothered Clarke. Maybe it bothered him to the point where he decided to keep the Swede and pass on the Lindros choice of linemates. Clarke turned down Mikael Renberg for Brendan Shanahan to prove a point to Carl and Eric Lindros, and that point, well made, may have cost the Flyers a Stanley Cup. No, I don't want to let that go, JJ, let me complain about that one.