[Rumour] Friedman: Never got the sense that Flames and Stone close to a deal. Likely hits UFA

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by bigrangy

Bartkowski is absolutely not fine as the #6. On actual playing ability he wouldn't even make the Heat.

He was signed for the expansion and if he plays another game for the Flames someone needs to be fired.

Bartkwoski wasn't just signed for expansion though. He played every game of the regular season and playoffs once he was signed. He was signed to play even if he wasn't very good.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by memphusk

Use the kids. It's time to give them a shot. You may be surprised with what they do when they don't have Wideman or Engelland as their partners.

Or, more likely we will see what is to be expected: young, inexperienced players overwhelmed by the pace and relentlessness of defending against the best players of the world when they will inevitably be thrust over their head onto the second pairing because of injuries. I have no doubt that at least two rookie defensemen will get multiple games in the lineup this season, but this realm has signalled that they are ready to compete now. They need veteran depth on defense to do it.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Or, more likely we will see what is to be expected: young, inexperienced players overwhelmed by the pace and relentlessness of defending against the best players of the world when they will inevitably be thrust over their head onto the second pairing because of injuries. I have no doubt that at least two rookie defensemen will get multiple games in the lineup this season, but this realm has signalled that they are ready to compete now. They need veteran depth on defense to do it.

I strongly disagree.

Very few coaches have the ability to shelter like Gulutzan can this year. Kulak didn't make more mistakes than Bartkowski, Grossman or the like. We're taking 15 sheltered minutes a night. What better opportunity to bring a plate along is there? If not now, when?

[Calgary4LIfe]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

Dylan McIlrath

I thought of him as a possible Engelland replacement as well...

It scares me.

I really do believe that Treliving is going to add some muscle, but I don't believe it will come in the form of a terrible player. Not at the stage the Flames are in now.

I hope.

[Love]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

Dylan McIlrath

Is he an NHL'er at this point?

[badradio]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814

Bartkowski is the #6. He's fine as the #6. Guys that I'd consider to fill the number 5 slot who wouldn't cost a fortune would be Kyle Quincey, Brian Campbell, Beauchemin, or Ron Hainsey.

Beauchemin played nearly 22 minutes a night for the Avalanche this season and he was only -14. For that clown show. For a 3rd pairing, veteran D who's been through all the playoff wars and knows how to do a little more than 'off the glass and out'? On a one-year deal, sign me up.

I'm fine with Bartkowski as the #6.... in Stockton, but not the NHL. Chris Butler was a better Dman. Funny you mentioned "Off the glass and out," that is part of the problem when the team plays a possession game, something Bartkowski never got the memo on. Hoping one of the kids grab the #6 spot.

[Krynn]

I wouldn't mind postma here. I always like him with the hitmen.i love stone at $3 Or $3.5 for 3 years with out any mo trade or movement but if all it took was half a million to get him to sign back
i would only do $4 million so long as it does not have any no trade or no movement in it any thing over that walk away
i agree with alot of you I think it might be time to give the kids the spots on the bottom pairings to see if they can hang long term.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

I strongly disagree.

Very few coaches have the ability to shelter like Gulutzan can this year. Kulak didn't make more mistakes than Bartkowski, Grossman or the like. We're taking 15 sheltered minutes a night. What better opportunity to bring a plate along is there? If not now, when?

That is not what I am saying. I agree, ONE of Kulak or Andersson should and will be in the lineup, but not BOTH. If someone in the top-four (*knocks on wood*) like Hamilton misses some games with an injury, then Gulutzan would be running something like this:

Giordano · Brodie
Kulak · Hamonic
Bartkowski · Andersson

No one is getting sheltered in this scenario, which is why the Flames will also add a vet for the the #5/6 spot.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

There may be a time when two of the Flames top 4 are injured at the same time. You wouldn't want that stretch to greatly hurt your playoff chances. Two rookies on the bottom pairing when healthy could mean 4 rookies in the top 6 after a couple injuries and that would be far from ideal.

I'm with Textcritic. You need a veteran guy on that 3rd pairing to have enough depth to sustain an injury or two. Young defencemen will get their chance in camp and when injuries strike.

[PugnaciousIntern]

I think this is a problem that doesn't need to be finalized by the start of training camp. Test the kids and see how they look. When we consider whether we need another proven defender on the team, it's a question of whether it's easier to add that player later (either at the end of training camp or midway through the season, eg. a PTO signing, waiver wire pickup, or trade) or subtract a player if the kids prove him to be redundant (press box, AHL, buyout, etc).

The 'add' route gives you flexibility but limits options and limits certainty. The 'subtract' route gives you certainty but can handcuff your roster and possibly cap.

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by badradio

I'm fine with Bartkowski as the #6.... in Stockton, but not the NHL. Chris Butler was a better Dman. Funny you mentioned "Off the glass and out," that is part of the problem when the team plays a possession game, something Bartkowski never got the memo on. Hoping one of the kids grab the #6 spot.

Fine, he's a #7 then. Bartkowski is under contract, and in NHL terms, he plays for peanuts. He's got 200+ NHL games under his belt, and almost 40 playoff games. He's youngish, he can skate, he battles and he's cheap. I don't ask much more from my 6/7 than that.

The smart thing to do is add a veteran to play on the bottom pair with a kid. Bart is the #7. Neither the vet UFA or Bart will cost much/anything to waive, and if/when a kid seizes the day, bully for us.

[Kybb79]

I like Mcllrath he sticks up for his team.

[Gaudfather]

What about Trevor Daley from Pittsburgh. About the right age, right contract value, SC experience. Reported to be in discussion with Bruins...seems like he could be a good #5.

[agulati]

Originally Posted by Gaudfather

What about Trevor Daley from Pittsburgh. About the right age, right contract value, SC experience. Reported to be in discussion with Bruins...seems like he could be a good #5.

He is a decent option for a #5 and isn't too old either. I just think he might get paid like a #4 and that might price him out of our range.

[djsFlames]

Yeah I agree with the poster above in that we need 5 reliable vet d-men. I don't like the idea of having a rookie bottom pairing. I think in accumulatively over the year, there will probably be at least 1/3 of the season where someone in the top 4 is out due to minor or major ailments. We need that #5 guy that can be a reliable stop gap, otherwise you have 3 or even 4 very inexperienced guys playing difficult minutes if there's more than one injury in the top four.

I'd be willing to go with one of the young guys in the #6 spot though. I am sure Kulak or Andersson could steal that spot for the year, and should be given every opportunity to do that.

[Machiavelli]

I like Daley, and he can get nasty which is always a plus

[jlh2640]

Lets just convince Michael Stone to take less money and sign here as our #5