I get what you're saying (Vulcan) about Engelland providing something relatively rare on the Flames D but I think the risk is overstated. Jokipakka is also a large, physical player. Giordano isn't big, but he's a physical player as well. Hamilton is large but not nearly as physical as Engelland, though I believe there is a chance that he will be more physical this year than last.
Wideman and Brodie are the only D on the roster that are not physical and whatever you think of defensive zone coverage, Brodie is significantly better at disrupting a cycle than Engelland and at anything else besides net front physical battles. I realize this isn't about Brodie vs Engelland, just saying that the advantage of Engelland is very limited.
I am okay with the Flames keeping Engelland because he does make the team bigger and tougher. I'd prefer the Flames to move Wideman of the two of them. However, I don't think that moving Engelland to make cap room for a proven top six right winger would leave a gaping hole in the roster or anything like that.
Engelland was more essential when the Flames had a top 4 of: Giordano - Brodie, Russell - Wideman. The additions of Jokipakka and Hamilton have addressed the problem of their D being undersized, at least enough that I don't think it would be a significant issue if he were moved. The bigger problem, imo, is that Jokipakka doesn't seem to be quite good enough to be a strong top 4 D and unless Wideman rebounds significantly there is a fairly significant talent gap between Gio, Brodie, Hamilton and the rest of the Flames D.
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