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Imported_Aussie · 07-02-2015, 07:25 AM

I am starting to get the feeling that the Flames may even try to sneak Ortio through waivers - depending on how camp goes of course. Looking around the league, I see two teams in need a of a backup/1B, both of whom are cap-challenged - Boston and Pittsburgh. They may be left signing a veteran like Budaj or Emery on a cheap deal. So where could Hiller land if they want to clear him out?
San Jose - After getting Jones they would then have to bury Stalock at 1.6M (who has been impressive in a small sample) - not sure if that is a fit anymore
Edmonton - don't think there is a trade there, even though Hiller would upgrade Scrivens. Nor would you want to send Hiller there and see that team improve
Florida - if they want to make some noise, they should upgrade on Montoya as a backup, maybe there is a fit there, if their budget allows it.
Buffalo - do they want to start to compete yet? Hiller would upgrade on Johnson and give insurance if Lehner doesn't light it up

So the most likely fits:
Florida and Buffalo, but only if they lose faith in their backup/want insurance.

I think we see the Flames holding all 3 for a while yet

The Flames have 17 NHL calibre forwards, 8 NHL calibre D (includes injured Smid) and 2 NHL calibre goalies.

That means at a minimum, 3 forwards, 1 D and 1 goalie get traded or waived. Maybe you prolong that D move until Smid's status is resolved, but then what if a guy like Morrison/Nakladal/Culkin outperforms Wotherspoon in camp? Same goes for the forwards - what if Agostino makes a push?

I think you need to see if a market opens up for Hiller and Raymond, maybe even Bollig, but I like what he brings as a spare forward. Do you have to try to sneak guys like Granlund and Ortio through waivers? Do you trade a guy like Granlund, kind of like the Horak trade that brought Smid to town? What does a package of Hiller + Granlund or Raymond + Granlund bring?

A lot of questions, and it makes predicting a lineup tough. Based on the latest moves, this would be my lineup:

Gaudreau - Monahan - Frolik
Hudler - Bennett - Colborne
Bouma - Backlund - Jones
Ferland - Stajan - Jooris
ex. Bollig, Shore

Byron waived, clears
Granlund and Raymond traded

Giordano - Hamilton
Brodie - Wideman
Russell - Engelland
Wotherspoon

Smid starts on LTIR

Ramo
Ortio

Hiller traded

Hiller to Florida for MacKenzie Weegar and 4th round pick - boost AHL D depth, see if there is enough upside as a bottom pair offensive D
Granlund and Raymond for 2nd round pick in 2016 - Arizona need bodies, especially players with shorter term commitments who can move up and down the lineup.

07-02-2015, 07:25 AM	#241
Imported_Aussie First Line Centre Join Date: Sep 2008 Exp:	I am starting to get the feeling that the Flames may even try to sneak Ortio through waivers - depending on how camp goes of course. Looking around the league, I see two teams in need a of a backup/1B, both of whom are cap-challenged - Boston and Pittsburgh. They may be left signing a veteran like Budaj or Emery on a cheap deal. So where could Hiller land if they want to clear him out? San Jose - After getting Jones they would then have to bury Stalock at 1.6M (who has been impressive in a small sample) - not sure if that is a fit anymore Edmonton - don't think there is a trade there, even though Hiller would upgrade Scrivens. Nor would you want to send Hiller there and see that team improve Florida - if they want to make some noise, they should upgrade on Montoya as a backup, maybe there is a fit there, if their budget allows it. Buffalo - do they want to start to compete yet? Hiller would upgrade on Johnson and give insurance if Lehner doesn't light it up So the most likely fits: Florida and Buffalo, but only if they lose faith in their backup/want insurance. I think we see the Flames holding all 3 for a while yet The Flames have 17 NHL calibre forwards, 8 NHL calibre D (includes injured Smid) and 2 NHL calibre goalies. That means at a minimum, 3 forwards, 1 D and 1 goalie get traded or waived. Maybe you prolong that D move until Smid's status is resolved, but then what if a guy like Morrison/Nakladal/Culkin outperforms Wotherspoon in camp? Same goes for the forwards - what if Agostino makes a push? I think you need to see if a market opens up for Hiller and Raymond, maybe even Bollig, but I like what he brings as a spare forward. Do you have to try to sneak guys like Granlund and Ortio through waivers? Do you trade a guy like Granlund, kind of like the Horak trade that brought Smid to town? What does a package of Hiller + Granlund or Raymond + Granlund bring? A lot of questions, and it makes predicting a lineup tough. Based on the latest moves, this would be my lineup: Gaudreau - Monahan - Frolik Hudler - Bennett - Colborne Bouma - Backlund - Jones Ferland - Stajan - Jooris ex. Bollig, Shore Byron waived, clears Granlund and Raymond traded Giordano - Hamilton Brodie - Wideman Russell - Engelland Wotherspoon Smid starts on LTIR Ramo Ortio Hiller traded Hiller to Florida for MacKenzie Weegar and 4th round pick - boost AHL D depth, see if there is enough upside as a bottom pair offensive D Granlund and Raymond for 2nd round pick in 2016 - Arizona need bodies, especially players with shorter term commitments who can move up and down the lineup. Last edited by Imported_Aussie; 07-02-2015 at 09:26 AM.