[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

I really wonder who the Flames were targeting when they were thinking of trading their first last year. I remember Feaster talking about looking at trading the first last year, but then supposedly after Weisbrod watched Jankowski, he told Feaster not to trade their 1st.

Some big upcoming free agents might get traded this deadline - I wonder if Feaster would think of packaging a 1st and 'gamble' on one of them thinking he has a good chance at signing someone. For instance, I would assume a 1st would be part of a package in getting Getzlaf.

Anaheim is sitting pretty this year. Though I am sure they do not want to be going through another rebuild, this year would be a great one to do just that. Getzlaf, Perry and even Bobby Ryan would command a first round pick each in different packages.

Conversely, the Flames themselves if out of the playoff picture by the trade deadline could potentially find themselves with a couple of extra 1sts (Iginla, Kipper, possibly Bouw if he keeps playing well). With Hartley's more offensive system, it SHOULD translate into better offensive numbers for the Flames, and thus should increase the relative value for a number of them on trade deadline day. If the Flames stumble this year, it would seem a good year to do so. I think the Flames make the playoffs personally, but fun to play the 'what if' scenario. Best year to do a 'traditional rebuild' anyways. I still think the Oilers were 'unlucky' to have tanked when they did. Though their young players are good, and though it is still a bit early to judge them, it seems to me they rebuilt during a bit of a lull in the draft quality.

Columbus might just be a force 3-4 years from now.

They would command WAY more than that