Quote:
Originally Posted by formulate
Voted yes, decent bottom pairing option. I don't feel particularly strongly about Butler though. A few close comparables in terms of offensive and possession numbers would be:
-Brain Strait
-Deryk Engelland
-Nick Grossman
-Andrew Ference
Then a few guys with a little less offense like Rob Scuderi, Nick Schultz, Victor Bartley and Francis Boullion. Not exactly a great list to be on, but he'd be fine playing 3rd pairing minutes. If nothing better is available through free agency (Stralman, Fayne etc) or cap-based trade (Boychuk, McQuaid) then re-signing Butler might be our best option. He's at least (though less physical) a better defenseman than Smid.
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Smid will be better once the Oilers stank is completely worn off of him. He's a good defenceman, but spent too many years in that gong show up north.
As it stands right now & if Butler signs, my Flames D pairings would be:
Giordano Brodie
Russell Wideman
Smid Butler
I'm really hoping we can get an upgrade on Wideman. Small chance that Wideman has a renaissance next season once he's healthy again.