[Captaincanada80]

Calgary is in a difficult yet unique situation this season. We find ourselves in the middle of the pack competing for a playoff spot and smack in the middle of a rebuild. Considering our cap situation this year and beyond, it will be a struggle to meet the floor next year in a weak free agent pool. So I bring up the proposal of trading to absorb some cap, not hurting the present and gaining a potential superstar for years to come.

Calgary Trades:
Michael Backlund (1.5M)
Lady Smid (3.5M)
B Level Prospect
Total Salary Out: 5M

• Backlund although playing strong as of late, will likely top out as a 20G and 50Pt 2nd or 3rd line centre. Has a history of injuries and goes through stretches of scoreless streaks. Agrueably with his value being its highest it’s ever been, is now the time to move him? Don’t get me wrong I really like this player and what he brings, but in order to obtain quality you need to give up some quality.
• Smid has been in and out of the lineup. When in he provides toughness in a bottom pairing role. But consistency has been an issue as of late. Would fit into Philly’s system nicely.
• When it comes to B level prospects, Calgary may lead the league. With a dozen or so fringe NHL’s who may see some time up in the show but spend their careers in the AHL. Because this depth has become one of the strengths of this organization, may as well utilize it to our advantage luring in a big fish or 2. By B level prospect some names include Agostino, Hanowski, BvB, Gilmour, Hickey, Reinhart. Although pending value we may need to part with more of a B+ guy like Klimchuk, Hunter Smith, Ferland ect.

Philly has been known in the past to pull off the big blockbuster trades in order to shake things up. Richards, Carter, Pronger, Hamhuis, Versteeg, JVR, and have a history on giving up on prospects too early. Could this be a situation that Calgary can take advantage of their cap hell? 4/5 of Philly’s top prospects are defensemen, so I’m sure they are looking for some help up front.

Philadelphia Trades:
Brayden Schenn: (2.5M)
Luke Schenn: (3.6M)
Burden Contract: Lecavalier (4.5M) or Umberger (4.6M) or Pronger (4.92M)
Total Salary In: 10.7M

• Luke Schenn apparently has negative value or close to it. But still at the age of 24 has the potential to become a stay at home top 4 but likely a bottom pairing guy.
• Brayden Schenn at the age of 22 is starting to find his way into the league. At times has struggled but still on pace for 48 Pts and 18 goals this season. Being the 2nd in Canadian WJC all-time scoring has the potential to be a superstar at the NHL level for many years to come.
• The burden contract: Whether it be VL or Umberger, Calgary gives Flyers the flexibility for next season as they are pushed right up against the cap. VL deal runs for another 3 years beyond this season but is front loaded owing him 10.5M in actual dollars for those 3 years. Umberger for 2years beyond this season for a total of 9M.

Other thoughts I’ve have been muddling over:

Calgary Trades Markus Granlund and Culkin to Minnesota for Jonas Brodin

• Granlund just can’t seem to find his way into the line-up. Always the guy discussed getting sent down but stays up due to injury. This gives him a chance to go be with his brother in MIN and have a fresh start. Brodin a former 1st rounder seems to have soured on Wild fans. Would likely be moved for the right price. Projects as a 3-4 LH Defencemen. More of a buy low situation.

Calgary Trades Glencross to LA for Nick Shore

• Glencross seems to be on his way out if moved to the right situation. With recent injuries to Tufolli & Pearson LA may be in a vulnerable position with one win in their last 6 games. If you can turn a pending UFA into a good projecting prospect then that to me is good asset management. Not to mention, who wouldn’t want to reunite the Shore brothers 

I don’t want this to become a thread or discussion of outlandish proposals which may never happen. We all know Calgary is looking to make “Hockey Deals” I’d like to generate some discussion with the flexibility of the flames current state. Loads of cap space in a weak free agent year. Tons of depth prospects at the Centre, LW and Goalie positions. What makes sense to you to either speed up the rebuild or improve the quality of assets in our system?