Quote:
Originally Posted by bigrangy
Nakladal is better at playing defense than Wideman, Russell, Jokipakka, and Engelland.
It pains me that the Flames' 4th best option at defense is simply being let walk because of Wideman/Engelland/Smid's horrible contract situations.
Imagine if the Flames were able to keep Schlemko. We wouldn't be stressing out wondering whether or not Jokipakka/Wotherspoon/Kulak will be able to keep up in the top 4 next season. The time to start competing is now while Bennett and Tkachuk are still on ELC's, and I'd feel a lot better about the Flames' chances to compete if they had a Schlemko-Jokipakka-Nakladal bottom three than the Smid-Wideman-Engelland disaster they're currently paying.
Also, wow, 625k. That is a great contract. Hopefully Spoon can find himself a spot on the roster this year.
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Schlemko was a waiver pickup just prior to the end of that season. He entered the last season as a PTO to NJD. He played well enough this past season to earn a long term contract off a PTO. Good for him, but he wasn't a lock as a 4th dman.
Nakladal played well this season. While I would like to keep him, I also don't exactly see other teams stealing him. The sample size is just too small. While it doesn't bother me to see some posters preferring him to guys like Engelland, Smid or Wideman, some posters acting like we're losing a 1st round pick for nothing is a bit of an overreaction IMO. I'd be elated if he signed a similar contract to Wotherspoon in anticipation of grabbing a roster spot once the aforemention 3 contracts expire.
Also... just another general jab to add... IMO the rebuild is not done. I expect it to finish after this season and certain contracts expire and we can start slotting a large batch of kids into the line up.