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Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher
Well you can believe that all you want, it isn't reality. Veteran defensemen are more valuable than you think. We traded a 3rd for Staios a few years back. Engelland is very similar in role and contract. Depth defensemen have value to playoff teams.
He's a healthy scratch periodically only because we're sitting another legit top 6 defenseman in Smid who needs playing time too. If our defense wasn't as deep Engelland would never be a healthy scratch.
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I wouldn't use the Staios trade to support your argument. The Flames were fleeced in that deal and way overpaid.
Engelland is a periodic healthy scratch on a bad team. He was no better with the Penguins which is why many people were shocked to learn that $2.9 million was the AAV on his deal, not the total cost. Treliving almost immediately started rationalizing why he paid so much.
I don't believe our defense is as good as you think it is. The 7th defensemen on the Flames is no much better than the 7th d-man on other teams. If Engelland gets traded for a 3rd round pick though, or something similar, I will happily eat my words.