Quote:
Originally Posted by Monahan For Mayor
Hey guys. Just out of curiosity, what do you all think of Kasperi Kapanen ? I traded for him in a sim hockey league, heard he can bust or Boom. Gave up Backlund for the curious.
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I really liked Kapanen going into the draft, but since then he hasn't really shown himself to be a capable top 6 guy. Most figure he will be a good 3rd liner. From that standpoint, I guess in a long-term asset management way of looking at things in a fantasy league, it wasn't a bad trade for you. I think there is still potential to be more than a 3rd liner, but in the real world I wouldn't trade Backlund for Kapanen now - I would have at the time of the draft though.
As for everyone talking about Wideman, I doubt the Flames are going to give him away for nothing, much less include sweeteners to take his contract. Flames should have enough money coming off the books to re-sign who they need to. Unless you think they are poised to take on a couple of big contracts in the off-season (which may hurt them down the road with Bennett and other potential higher dollar contracts), I just don't see the 'need' to get rid of Wideman at all costs.
Next year, I think teams will be more interested in taking him on. His contract expires, and some teams may have a need for an offensive defencemen, even if it is just to try and improve or balance their PP. Yes, Wideman seems to suck on the PP this year, but last year he didn't. Wideman has had a good years followed by bad years. I would take the chance he rebounds next season, and generates a lot of interest, rather than spend assets or even give him away for free to be rid of a contract that won't exactly hurt the Flames.
If Wideman had another year or two after next, then I would be more like-minded in the need to get rid of him. I would rather buy out Raymond (which I don't think should happen or even needs to happen) before I unload Wideman for free.
Wideman may very well get the Flames a 2nd next year. Defencemen are pricey at the deadline. If Wideman is having even an average year - or even an average start - there will be teams interested. If he has another terrible season, well, Flames just eat that contract for the rest of the year. I still would hate to see them expend any asset at all just to be rid of him. I think it is well worth the gamble.
Who knows - after this suspension, he may come back and start doing really well again, much like 2 years ago when Giordano went down and Wideman stepped up his game after having a fairly mediocre-to-bad season to that point.