So last night I was wondering about the Flames and what they would do this offseason up front what with Cammalleri supposedly leaving and all...and I remembered it being rumoured many times that Sutter covets Nigel Dawes and has tried to deal for him several times. He played poorly last year especially after being traded to Phoenix at the deadline, where he had just 2 assists in 12 games. He could be had cheap and could fill the void on left wing.
I really like the game Dawes brings. He is undersized at 5 foot 8, but plays with a lot more grit and toughness than most players that size. I remember him playing for the Kootenay Ice and he had a good scoring touch and has top-six upside. He is only 24 years old and has never scored more than 14 goals but would fit well into a top-six role here and like Bourque last year, could flourish with good linemates.
We don't need to replace all of Cammalleri's 39 goals, if the defense is shored up. Dawes and the 20 goals I think he would bring would probably be enough.
Dawes - Langkow - Iginla
Bourque - Jokinen - Moss
???
I think he could be had for a 3rd round pick or maybe a guy like Armstrong, but perhaps the more realistic scenario is that Sutter trades the 20th pick to Phoenix (who obviously wanted that pick originally in the Jokinen deal) for Dawes and the 36th pick? He is a restricted free agent. It likely wouldn't cost much more than $1 million to re-sign him as his value is at its lowest.
McKeen's says the following about Dawes:
Quote:
Tiny but brave and elusive sniper...good solid skater though could use better first-step quickness and top speed...anticipates the game well powered by sharp instincts...stays composed in scoring areas and makes smart, skilled plays with the puck...has a gift for finding open space and getting prepared to fire a quick shot which he requires little space to unload...does strong work defensively - good checking technique and sound positioning - does a lot of excellent support work that can go unnoticed...physical at times and willing to absorb punishment, though lacks the size to make much of an impact...could do a better job of sustaining his intensity.
Sounds like a Sutter-type guy and as mentioned earlier Sutter himself has mentioned his interest in him (don't remember where?) Maybe a possibility for a draft-day deal?
I'd love to pickup Dawes, he'd be a fantastic addition. Pheonix could probably use a defenseman too. (I wish anyways)
__________________
Quote:
He’s on injured reserve. Remember the deal? When they come off injured reserve, then you’ll know the update. Active, non-roster, inactive, injured, hurt, sick, not dressed, healthy scratch, on waivers.”
- Darryl Sutter
Quote:
Originally Posted by Robbob
at the end of the day you have to applaud the oilers for making it look so easy. I never would have thought it would be this difficult to be the worst team in the league.
Dawes on the first line is highly unlikely. At best I say he's a 2nd liner, unless he can pull a Rene Bourque type season. But this year, I think Bork's earned the top line with Iggy.
Flames fans seem to love their undersized players. But not every midget coming in is going to be a Fleury and dominate despite their size. After seeing Cammalleri's limitations first hand at his size despite his mostly successful season, I'm leaning more towards wishing the Flames were bigger, not acquiring the smallest guys we can.
Rather see us hand the 1st line LW role to a Dustin Boyd, or Greentree (if he impresses) or Bouque/Glencross/Nystrom.
I like Dawes, and wouldn't mind him on the Flames, but, why go outside for a project for a top 6 forward position when we have a guy like Boyd here?
Boyd has the talent to play top 6, he needs to get stronger, but really what he needs is to have the coaches confidence...you can't expect him to be the crash and bang winger....he's an opportunist and should be played with a couple of big forwards (ie., Iginla or Jokinen) to clean up the garbage on rebounds.
Flames fans seem to love their undersized players. But not every midget coming in is going to be a Fleury and dominate despite their size. After seeing Cammalleri's limitations first hand at his size despite his mostly successful season, I'm leaning more towards wishing the Flames were bigger, not acquiring the smallest guys we can.
Rather see us hand the 1st line LW role to a Dustin Boyd, or Greentree (if he impresses) or Bouque/Glencross/Nystrom.
Agreed, why not give our guy a shot. Boyd better bulk up and come ready this training camp. The cap is going down, will need guys like him to step up and its a big opportunity for him.
Boyd-Olli-Iginla
Bourque-Langkow-Moss
Would be fine for me as the top 6
Oh and Nystrom deserves a chance to play more than 7-8 mins a night, put him with Conroy and Glencross.
If Dawes came cheap, sure why not but either way Boyd would be my 1st choice to fill Cammi's vacant position.
The Following User Says Thank You to Da_Chief For This Useful Post:
Flames fans seem to love their undersized players. But not every midget coming in is going to be a Fleury and dominate despite their size. After seeing Cammalleri's limitations first hand at his size despite his mostly successful season, I'm leaning more towards wishing the Flames were bigger, not acquiring the smallest guys we can.
Rather see us hand the 1st line LW role to a Dustin Boyd, or Greentree (if he impresses) or Bouque/Glencross/Nystrom.
flames have one of the bigger aquads in the league so i dont know where you get this from. the small players we like are those who play big.
that being said dawes hasnt shown any ting at the nhl level so id send
columbuses 4th
for
dawes
anything more would be to much risk considering our picks we have traded in this draft and the next
I don't mind a guy like Dawes coming in but it has to be for not much more than a song. I would rather spend money and effort adding a solid top 4 blueliner, and go into camp with an opening on the left side. If no one steps up, then address it later in the year.
The Following User Says Thank You to dustygoon For This Useful Post:
I don't mind a guy like Dawes coming in but it has to be for not much more than a song. I would rather spend money and effort adding a solid top 4 blueliner, and go into camp with an opening on the left side. If no one steps up, then address it later in the year.
Dawes isn't going to be a huge difference maker. The replacement for Aucoin is going to much more infuluential to the Flames improving.
__________________ RIP Al Davis / 1929 - 2011
The Following User Says Thank You to Erick Estrada For This Useful Post:
Agreed, why not give our guy a shot. Boyd better bulk up and come ready this training camp. The cap is going down, will need guys like him to step up and its a big opportunity for him.
Boyd-Olli-Iginla
Bourque-Langkow-Moss
Would be fine for me as the top 6
Oh and Nystrom deserves a chance to play more than 7-8 mins a night, put him with Conroy and Glencross.
If Dawes came cheap, sure why not but either way Boyd would be my 1st choice to fill Cammi's vacant position.
I agree. Nystrom actually played well during his time with Iginla and Jokinen on one of the playoff game. He was hitting and being aggressive hence Iggy and Olli had some space and I believed they ended up scoring. I know that was just a couple of times but given time, he'll improve and probably get the breakout season.
There is enough forward depth now to test Boyd in the top six. If he struggles then make a move. With Backlund and hopefully Lundmark in Abbotsford to start the year, why not give Boyd a shot. It might also be possible to attempt LW by committee rotating Glencross, Boyd, Nystrom, and maybe even Greentree if he performs well in camp.
There is enough forward depth now to test Boyd in the top six. If he struggles then make a move. With Backlund and hopefully Lundmark in Abbotsford to start the year, why not give Boyd a shot. It might also be possible to attempt LW by committee rotating Glencross, Boyd, Nystrom, and maybe even Greentree if he performs well in camp.
The sentiment here wanting Boyd to play top-six doesn't address the hole Dawes would fill.
With Bertuzzi and Cammalleri both likely out, that opens up two spots. One spot for Boyd, preferably on RW on the 2nd line, and the other to be filled some other way.
Moss might have scored 20 but you don't want to break up good chemistry with Glencross and Conroy and to expect him to be a full-time top-sixer along with Boyd, in the same year, would create some growing pains methinks. Moss has never gotten many points either - just goals.
Dunno...just a thought. I'm not sure I'm comfortable losing both Bertuzzi and Cammalleri and replacing them completely from within.
I can see Nigel Dawes fitting in to the Flames mix, but at the very most for a Fourth Round pick.
If the Rangers have given up on him and the Yotes are apparently rethinking thier decision on bringing into the mix, there may be something behind the scenes we don't see.
That or he has become one of the many World Junior players who doesn't live up to the high expectations that were set on them.
Location: Hoping Timmy Thomas and The Hockey Gods stop a soccer team from winning The Stanley Cup.
Exp:
You claim that Sutter covets Nigel Dawes and has tried to deal for him several times?
Really? I have never heard that before.
I do like the guy, and it will be interesting to see what the Coyotes do with all of their RFA's (10) /UFA's(7) this summer, they certainly cannot sign them all, not to mention the fact they also already have 17 skaters, and 2 goalies already under contract.
__________________
"I'm going to leave tonight with my head up, unlike last year. I battled for 60 minutes and kept it under seven goals so an improvement was made."-Uber goalie captain Roberto Luongo 5/11/10
Bingo Bango Brutal.
Oilers suck.
Nigel Dawes speculation
