Quote:
Originally Posted by Bingo
It's times like these that I just love the fact we do prospect rankings. So easy to discredit two players traded to the Oilers, but when you can look back to July and August and see they were ranked 11th and 17th on the prospect list it isn't a stretch to say the Flames dealt two second tier prospects for a top four dman.
I've been away all weekend so I'm sure this has been said ... but I can't for the life of me understand this from an Oilers perspective. They must really really like one of the two Calgary players because their D is thin and Smid was one of the only sure thing defenders they had.
Tanking?
But on the same day they go out and add to goaltending?
So strange.
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From what I can tell from listening to the interviews and analysis of the trade I do think they really like Brossoit in particular. Obviously he played in the same building and MacTavish talked about getting the opinion of the former GM of the Oil Kings.
Sounds like the Oilers decided goaltending was a massive organizational issue and the trade gets them goaltending for the future (Brossoit) and immediate goaltending via Bryzgalov and get the cap relief they needed to sign him. Lot's to like with Brossoit as he's shown bounce back ability and he also is extremely fit for the position. But I agree with those who say he was 5th on our depth chart right now and not as highly thought of a prospect as Berra, Gillies or Ortio from the Flames perspective. So we dealt from positions of strength.
But yeah overall a confusing trade for them as they trade away the type of player and type of character they need more of. Love it. And the Oilers fan that I know and respect the most hated the deal.
I do think Horak has been underrated by many people commenting on the trade. Obviously by non-Flames fans in particular but surprisingly underrated by a few Flames fans. I think he likely shakes out as a very strong 3rd line type player. But the Oil can use more smart, two-way players. Horak has looked physically stronger every year. Read on HF a ton that people think he's an undersized, soft centre but to me he's average sized at worst and plays stronger on the puck than people were giving him credit for. And I think Roy is not really much of a prospect to speak of and the Oil were ready to cut bait with him so it makes it a true 2 for 1 from their perspective. Horak was just unlucky IMO to have Monahan and then Colborne jump ahead of him and the addition of Knight and continued development of Reinhart meant we were suddenly very deep at centre. I think Horak will be a good NHLer and has a much better chance at achieving that in EDM. Clearly wasn't a Hartley favourite after being a Sutter favourite as Horak himself points out. If he wins Eakins trust wouldn't surprise me if he can secure some sort of 3rd line role or perhaps even later a 2nd line where he shows those Oilers how to actually play some defense.