For me this is all about Dennis Wideman. I find I can argue to keep him and to trade him almost equally. It's obvious Raymond should go but that is so unlikely. Wideman, for me is the very definition of asset management.
Pros (to trading him)
- His contract has reasonable term left and $5.25 is actually an alright deal for a 40+ points D-man right now
- Value may never be higher
- Most tradeable player not identified as core (along with Hudler I suppose)
Cons
-Do the Flames have NHL-ready depth for a playoff fight and playoff run? Can we expect contributions from TSpoon, Nakladal, Morrisson & Smid this year?
- Can we get more for him at the trade deadline? Or as potentially our 5th D-man this year will 3rd pairing minutes drastically reduce his trade attractiveness as the season progresses
-Is he a part of the leadership of the team? Part of what made the room so strong last year? He was given an "A"
-Why, after adding Hamilton and having a D-group that many see as one of the best, immediately reduce it's strength?
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