Originally Posted by
cyccommute
Yes. The axle of the hub is very important in keeping the two sides of the rear triangle stiff......
Yes, so far, but no to the rest.
First of all, we can't discount the strength and stiffness of chainstays, especially against the torsion that a broken axle might create.
Secondly, the amount of movement possible without snapping the skewer is very limited.
I've seen many cases of riders going miles with a broken axle, bridged by the skewer, and not knowing until they removed the wheel for other reasons.
Lastly, the argument may be irrelevant. The OP is ranting about a bent skewer, which he says he removed, which would have made a broken axle obvious.