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Old 11-12-2014, 07:13 PM   #37
Calgary4LIfe
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I think the only guy the Flames will actively be shopping will probably be Glencross. UFA, and looking for term and money. If I am the Flames, I am looking at his age, looking at the Flames organizationally, and thinking there isn't really a fit here long-term. Short term? I think the Flames would over-pay to keep him for 1-2 years, but beyond that, I am betting the Flames would only want to keep him on a lower-dollar contract.

Setoguchi is probably a guy they start shopping as well, but more to benefit Setoguchi and to try and show the rest of the players that as long as you are willing to come here and do your best, they will try and accommodate the player as much as possible. The only thing I see Setoguchi returning is a cap dump + sweetener. Some team looking to shed salary, and the Flames send a contract back with a guy that can be completely buried cap-wise in the minors. Will that happen? Doubtful, but with the NHL's economic landscape looking like the cap may stay the same or possibly move down, and the compliance buyouts over with, probably will be entering the best time to use the cap as a real asset. These trades rarely happen and I wouldn't count on it, but probably the best timing is coming up.

I can't really think of any other players that have to be moved.

Jones is an expensive checker, but he does do an effective job on the ice. He has term on his contract to boot, so nobody is going to bite on that unless you are exchanging him for another over-priced player with term.

Stajan has too much term, and I do think that the plan is to keep him around to add to the veteran presence. I think it will be a couple of years before you see him get traded, unless some other team is desperately looking for a depth center.

Wideman - I hope he doesn't move. Flames have been relatively healthy on defence (just a couple games here and there). I don't think there is anyone in Adirondack that is ready to come up outside of Wotherspoon. I guess Cundari could perhaps, but defensive depth is huge. Besides, Wideman has been more good than bad out there, and I think his game is taking a huge rebound. He does have some value I think, though it grows exponentially with every dollar the Flames retain. Still, not a need to trade him. He isn't holding anyone back, and he is good on the PP.

I can see the Flames trading some prospects though. Treliving I think would be more comfortable having some defensive prospects with a bit more pedigree. Perhaps he uses Baertschi in part of a trade to acquire a young but established NHL'er, or a highly touted up and coming prospect. Baertschi with another prospect or pick may get you a decent defensive piece in return. Then again, if Friedman is correct, GMs don't really want much to do with him at the moment. Baertschi is not exactly showing much this time around in the NHL either, and until he either starts performing better in the NHL or in the AHL when he gets sent down, that isn't going to change. I would personally rather be overly-patient with him than sell low at this point, even if he ends up completely busting. I still think he can be a very good contributor (not someone you build around, but someone that will contribute regularly) and have the occasional game-breaking moments.
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