Would have much preferred to see a solid prospect come back the other way. I'm a little worried about what next year's roster is going to look like unless the Flames get at least a couple of guys (or even one guy) who's NHL ready.
The most interesting part of the deal is the conditional pick, which strikes me as an interesting gambit from both sides. Obviously it affords St. Louis some protection if they don't make the playoffs in a strong draft year, but it also works to Calgary's benefit in that - if St. Louis does make the playoffs - the pick is going to be about as good as possible for a playoff-bound team, and one that Bouwmeester would have accepted a trade too.
All that said though, I had expected better, and would have waited for the draft or next year's deadline to move JBo if this had been the best offer presented to me. I do suspect, however, that we won't be able to evaluate this move until draft day - lots of opportunity to move up, and very interested to see what they do.
|