[FlameZilla]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Because Garrioch has a reputation for being a gossip, I don't believe that any deal was offered by the Flames that included all of those pieces. Having said that, I am intrigued about the Flames acquiring Spezza, even amid a rebuild. This would look more to me like a stop-gap—filling the hole on the top line for a year, two, perhaps three while players in the system work towards improving to become impact players. Acquiring Spezza would also help the team to be cap compliant, without having to employ expensive, useless players as cap filler.

I wouldn't be thrilled about a deal that included Backlund, but I would not be opposed to one that included a forward prospect and a pick from this year's draft outside of the Flames' first rounder. For those who are grumbling about this as a signal that the Flames are no longer interested in rebuilding, I only have to say that this is a ridiculously short-sighted view. Not every deal will be made for the future. Not every draft pick will be converted into a player. And not every prospect will be given the chance to make the NHL here in Calgary. That's just the way it is, and it is that way because the team is like an organism that will be constantly changing to address present as well as future needs.

Stop-gap. And I'm perfectly okay with that, so long as the return does not include a Flames first rounder from 2013–14.

In any event, I doubt it would happen.

This is EXACTLY my assessment of the situation.