We're now 20 days away from the NHL Trade Deadline, and as things stand today, the Flames have a 19% chance of making the playoffs. Nineteen percent. So, it would seem the answer to the question of whether or not the Flames are buyers or sellers is somewhat obvious, right? Or is it? Last week, I hit up a few Flames fans on twitter to share their opinions on the Flames' options as we approach the deadline.
Thanks to Lee Snowden, Dearen (Flames Jambalaya), Arik (Matchsticks and Gasoline), wi (hitthepost!), @bookofloob (The Book of Loob), and @DomeBeers (Dome Beers) for taking part. Questions after the jump...
What do you think the Flames need to do here as the trade deadline approaches (with details)?
a) Be a buyer & go for it
b) Be a seller & move all impending UFA's for assets
c) Stand pat & see where things go
d) Buy & sell -- move out UFA's you have no interest in re-signing & bring in guys under contract beyond this season, or other rental UFA's that you may have an interest in signing
L: I'd go with D. There are some UFA's that probably could get a small return (Sarich, Kostopoulos, Stempniak) that I'd look to move. We also have to take into account that in the next 3 weeks the Flames could be just too far back of the eighth spot.
D: I believe the Flames need to buy for the near future. Make deals that will see players come back that are either NHL ready or close to. But besides moving Sarich, Moss and Kostopolous for a pick or a player, I don’t see Feaster doing much. I am not sure if Bouwmeester can be moved but moving him for a young high ceiling d-man would be a deal I would pursue if available.
A: Probably D. The problem with the media's definition of "Buying" and "Selling" is that neither is really accurate. Ideally you should be trading to add value- regardless of if you're in a rebuild phase or a contender phase. If the Flames can add significant value (buy low, sell high), they need to do that.
wi: d) (sortof): move out UFAs you have no interest in re-signing and promote some of the potential future players from the farm and give them a good look. i think bouma has shown himself to be a feasible young, fast, exciting low-liner, and brodie has demonstrated enormous potential as well. this is why i kinda hope the flames get mathematically eliminated well before the end of the season.
BoL: D. While I believe Calgary's mindset is to go all in and make a run at the playoffs, thus making them buyers, I believe they have a few players that they'd love to sell off for low draft picks or parts of other packages simply because there's no place for them in the Flames system (rhymes with Nabsuck, for example). Buying and selling will obviously be extremely difficult to pull off, and I don't see them actually doing it (at least not in a way that'll actually IMPROVE the team), but it's what they would or should want to be doing.
DB: Need to do? Well, if they want to make the playoffs, they need to acquire a real centre and a real blue liner, which means A, they should buy and go for it. What I would do is B, and try to move anyone I could not numbered #12 or #34. I think you get better return in the summer for those guys.
What do you consider the Flames biggest weakness that needs to be addressed here in the next 20 days (for this season's hopes)?
L: Definitely the number 1 centre spot. As much as some guys will defend Backlund to the end, he just hasn't put up the numbers. Olli has cemented himself as the number 2 guy, seems to be the same thing for the past decade the Flames are after.
D: To salvage this season they will need to add a top 6 forward. I think Feaster thought Cammalleri would spark the offense but so far it hasn’t really helped. Also with Stempniak out long term he is going to need to add a guy like Grabovski or Ruutu, but the price may be too steep. Backlund was supposed to be a top six guy but has not formed into that role.
A: Defense. While Bouwmeester and Giordano are terrific players (even if Gio's having something of a down year), Butler doesn't belong on the top pairing and is clearly suffering because of that. When you toss in Sarich, Babchuk, and a few AHL call-up guys who are better than both of those two, your defense is in trouble. The bright spot, however, is Brodie's continued development. The other item that needs addressing is a quality two way forward. A guy who can move the puck in the right direction and generate offense. Think Ryan Kesler, though obviously a player of his caliber is probably not going to happen.
wi: scoring, scoring, scoring. unfortunately, i think it's too late for this year, so giving up the future to get an established, bonafide A-grade centre would be dumb. maybe in the summer... ?
BoL: Replacing Glencross' offensive production while he remains out of the lineup. Sure he'll be back around the deadline, but leading up to the deadline, you really miss his presence, and run the risk of falling further out of the race without the offense he was providing before his injury. And obviously the defense is atrocious. A puck mover would be hard to acquire, but I think they only really need one of those just to keep Tanguay from playing the point on the PP. I'd rather have a dependable stay at home guy to shore up how scary it is in the Flames own zone. The anti-Butler, as it were.
DB: Coaching. Coaching is a big one, I think. I'd see if Hayley Wickenheiser wanted to coach. Besides that, I think if they changed the goal song, they would score more. Everybody hates that song, and I am pretty sure the offense has dried up because the players don't want to hear it anymore. A defenseman who wasn't physically easy to play against wouldn't be terrible, either.
Which, if any, UFA's would you attempt to re-sign before the deadline (or in other words, does Olli stay or does he go)?
L: I'm not going to get into contract length and dollars, but the guys I'd like to see brought back are Olli, Scott Hannan, and Derek Smith.
D: Flames may have no choice but to sign Olli. If they cannot land another center the pressure to sign Olli will be high. Not sure we can go into next season with our 4 centers being Backlund – Stajan – Horak – Jones. And for any of the other UFA’s; I would sign Derek Smith.
A: Keep Stempniak, keep Jackman, and keep Olli at the right price. As much as I love Moss (and that's a hell of a lot), he's too injury prone, and if healthy could provide a decent return in a trade.
wi: i think it depends on what they're asking, contract-wise. at same-or-similar dollars, i'd take olli, stemps, comeau, jones & backlund. at this point, i'd probably let moss go (injuries) and TKO/jackman would be easily replaced by warm bodies with higher ceilings like bouma and nemisz. on the blueline, letting sarich and hannan walk is a no-brainer, but i'd definitely try to re-up derek smith. deal babchuk for pieces and then stop-gap with any/all of wilson/carson/henry/piskula/
BoL: Before the deadline? I don't see the need. Overall, the only UFA's I'd look at signing are Olli, Derek Smith, and either Kostopoulos or Jackman, but not both. Leaving the UFA's as UFA's before the deadline keeps them in the "playoff rental" category, and maybe you get an offer for some of them you can't refuse.
DB: Again, it depends right? If the team is going for it they are going for it. I would trade Olli and look to resign him (CHEAPLY) in the offseason.
Are you completely opposed to the idea of trading away any future assets (Baertschi/Horak/Nemisz/
L: Sven, and the 1st rounders are untouchable.
D: I am not “completely” opposed but it can’t be another Jokinen trade. If a deal can be made where we acquire a legitimate #1 center that is relatively young or let’s say a Parise is acquired; than I would be ok with it. Out of the four players named above I would only consider “Baertschi” a legitimate top prospect and I would try to hold on to him at all cost. Perhaps I would include Backlund, I still feel he will develop into a solid NHL’er but right now he could help acquire a legitimate top NHL’er.
A: Not at all. Like I said earlier, it's all about value. If a trade including some of those future assets net a quality proven player, you have to make it. Absolutely no prospect or draft pick is proven- players like Stastny, Roy, and whoever else is available are. However, if you find yourself looking at a deal for a declining player over 30 for multiple future assets, there's an issue. There's nothing wrong with trading tomorrow for today, so long as you do it intelligently.
wi: yes. i think that if the flames are hellbent on the "win now" mantra, then they MUST offer the fans a more exciting brand of hockey than we're getting currently. IMO, that means, simply, faster & with more scoring. while i think the ship has sailed for nemisz, i think baertschi (and to a lesser degree, reinhart) should get a good look next year while irv/horak have proven their abilities as lower-level guys. and since the "win now" mantra ACTUALLY translates to "high draft picks," flames must keep their first rounders.
BoL: Really depends on the trade. It has to be a clear win for Calgary. The biggest reason Calgary has floundered lately is because ol' Darryl mortgaged the future for exactly these types of trades, and it hasn't worked, so I'd be hesitant to keep doing that.
DB: First, I dont understand the argument that you can't rebuild if you don't trade Jarome. That aside, I'm not completly opposed because A) lots of question marks on that list you gave, and B) The Flames are one of the worst organizations in the league at drafting anyways. so instead of letting them select a bust, why not let them trade for one, ala 90 point centre Olli Jokinen? At least this way the blowup is more spectacular.
Name one player you think the Flames will definitely trade.
L:Cory Sarich.
D: Besides the obvious (Stajan) if they could, I think Sarich will be a guy who will be traded. With his expiring contract and Derek Smith getting healthy he is on the short list to be dealt at the deadline. Contending teams always look to gain some defensive insurance at the deadline and Sarich would fit the need for a few teams. Perhaps we can get a third round pick or if Feaster is really smooth a second at best.
A: Matt Staj- ahhh I couldn't even finish that. Who would take him? Seriously, he's not that terrible (at least relative to how bad everyone makes him out to be), but that contract in and of itself is going to prevent any and all trades. I have no idea who will leave the team, but I have a sinking feeling it's someone we'd rather hold on to.
wi: backlund. because he's undervalued by the org and his underlying numbers suggest he's got a langkow-like defensive forward ceiling --all he needs is more confidence in front of the net and to sink a handful to be a solid top six centre. ie: buh-bye.
BoL: Babchuk. While this might be wishful thinking, I feel someone out there wants a "power play specialist", and I'd assume Anton will be available on the cheap.
DB: Scott Hannan.
Name one player you think the Flames will/should realistically target as the deadline approaches.
L: I think Derek Roy could be available. Has shown he can put up points in this league. I think he would be a nice fit between Jarome and Cammy/Tanguay.
D: Maybe I am crazy on this one but why not Shane Doan? If management truly feels we will make the playoffs when the trade deadline arrives, Shane Doan can help. Motivated Western Canadian guy who is a top six forward and we know would lay it on the line every night. Now I have no idea what the price would be but in my opinion it would be worth exploring. I am clearly looking at this from a rental perspective. I would rather acquire a guy like Grabovski but the price for him may eliminate us from that race. But realistically perhaps Feaster lands Brassard or Vermette from Columbus. Also if Buffalo is looking to move Derek Roy; I would hope Feaster will be right in the mix to try and land him.
A: Paul Stastny. His cap hit isn't exactly...pleasant, but he's worth something close to it at least. He's a terrific two way player who's been stuck with mediocre linemates for years and seen his numbers suffer as a result. He's still young (only 26!) and will probably be a lot better on a better team. Right now Colorado's management probably views him as taking up valuable cap space with young guys like Duchene, Johnson, Galiardi,and Jones in need of raises and other guys like Quincey and Hejduk in need of re-signing. If the Flames can dump some salary in a trade, Stastny is a guy worth giving up future assets for- pronto.
wi: ultimately the team needs a #1 centre, but those are franchise guys on cup teams; they are drafted & developed, not targetted free agents (ex: bergeron, toews, crosby, datsyuk, getzlaf, e.staal in the post-lockout era). i've said it before and i'll say it again: i really like emerson etem. obviously, he doesn't help us this year but his size and offensive ability would look awesome in a flaming C next year. i also really like lars eller, but i think the habs and flames are done dealing for the time being.
BoL: I look at a guy like Mark Eaton. A dependable defenseman who has a reasonable cap hit, brings in a degree of leadership and Stanley Cup experience. But that's not a really sexy answer, so I give you this: I'd like to see what it costs to get Jeff Carter, but then see if whatever that return would be couldn't be used to maybe take a stab at Bobby Ryan instead.
DB: Daymond Langkow.
Two more just for funzies:
What happens to the fella's up north? Does Hemsky re-sign or is he traded, and if so, where does he go & what do they get?
L: Hemsky will no doubt be moved. Tambellini does very well if he can land a first. You have to remember Penner had a year remaining on his contract when they got the first. On the other hand, Burke got a first for Kaberle. I just don't see a team expecting to go deep, giving up a lot for Hemsky. I'd guess Detroit, LA, or Nashville.
D: I believe Hemsky will be resigned by the Oilers. No idea why but my gut tells me so.
A: Hemsky is getting traded. As far as where? Based on cap space and need, I'm gonna guess Montreal or Tampa Bay. Based on "Why the hell not, we've got the cap space", I'll go with Boston. Seriously, last year's Stanley Cup winning team will have $13M in cap space at the trade deadline. That is entirely absurd.
wi: trade hemsky to buffalo to play with regehr. ;)
BoL: Hemsky is gone. Gagner is gone. Gagner's recent mini-Renaissance upped his trade value to those not doing their research correctly, and teams might overpay to get either of those guys.
A lot of big names have been thrown around the rumor mill. Who do you think the biggest name to move will be, and where does he go?
L: I think James van Riemsdyk could potentially be moved in a deal for a defenceman already under contract (J. Johnson).
D: Biggest name to get moved will be Bobby Ryan out of Anaheim. Brian Burke will be hot and heavy after him but I believe the Capitals land him.
A: Is there any way Jeff Carter doesn't get traded? Seriously. At this point,he's probably talking to real estate agents in half the cities in North America. I wouldn't be shocked if he landed in Calgary, Toronto, Pittsburgh, or DC. But I'm really just spitballing based on real and theoretical cap space.
wi: rick nash to calgary for baertschi, giordano and my allegiance.
BoL: Jeff Carter. It sounds like every team thinks they have a shot at him, so odds are someone legitimately does. I think Dallas has the cap space and the right mix of prospects and roster players to take a shot at him, so long as they stay in the hunt as the deadline approaches.
So there you have it -- thoughts from six different corners of the twitterverse. Feel free to give your take in the comments.
I leave you with this video -- it has nothing to do with anything... I just feel like listening to some J. Cole.
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