Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community - View Single Post - 2017 Trade Deadline Prediction: First Calgary Flames Player Traded

CaptainYooh · 01-13-2017, 12:14 PM

As another CP member has mentioned earlier, and I agree, Calgary is an asset-poor team at present. After protecting the consensus proven long-term young core players (Gaudreau, Monahan, Tkachuk, Brodie and Hamilton), subtracting the players protected by NTC and players that have insignificant trade value, Calgary does not have much to offer to other teams. Plus, Calgary is in a playoff race, so management will likely hold off trading to the very last moment depending on how good or bad the team will perform in the next 6 weeks. On top of that, the expansion draft this year will impose weird limitations on moving (or not moving) players that should be on roster at the draft time to allow for protecting other players. I think, overall, we will be witnessing a pretty boring level of activity by Calgary Flames at the trade deadline.

I selected players that are likely to generate reasonable trade interest as primary targets by other playoff contenders and will be in the mix from the Calgary point of view:

Elliott - UFA next season, cap hit is not that big, could be a targeted backup goalie for a playoff contender. Calgary has three promising young goalies in the pipeline.

Backlund - UFA next year, will likely be asking for a $5M+ long-term contract. Probably, has reached his peak potential. Playing very well this season. Could generate a high return in a trade.

Bennett - obviously, a very promising young player with skill and energy. Struggling to find his game and his most effective position this season. Disciplined play is a concern, lots of silly penalties. Could generate a high return; perhaps, a player-for-player solid trade; win-win for both teams. I am not saying he should be traded; but only that a trade involving Bennett could make a good sense from the perspective of everyone involved.

Engelland - undoubtedly, his best year as a Flame. Would benefit any playoff contender as a solid added depth defenseman. UFA next season.

Wideman - UFA next season. Despite a lot of hate here for his mediocre play and conflict with refs last season, he has been playing reasonably well this season and will be a good addition to a playoff contender looking for a 3rd-4th defenseman. Should generate at least a 2nd round pick or better.

On the balance, I think the most logical and easy first trade will be Elliott.

So, with the above limitation criteria in mind, who do you think will be the first player traded by/at the deadline this year and why?

P.S. This is not about who should/shouldn't be traded or who would you like to see traded. Who do you think WILL be the first player traded?

01-13-2017, 12:14 PM	#1
CaptainYooh Franchise Player Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Calgary Exp:	2017 Trade Deadline Prediction: First Calgary Flames Player Traded As another CP member has mentioned earlier, and I agree, Calgary is an asset-poor team at present. After protecting the consensus proven long-term young core players (Gaudreau, Monahan, Tkachuk, Brodie and Hamilton), subtracting the players protected by NTC and players that have insignificant trade value, Calgary does not have much to offer to other teams. Plus, Calgary is in a playoff race, so management will likely hold off trading to the very last moment depending on how good or bad the team will perform in the next 6 weeks. On top of that, the expansion draft this year will impose weird limitations on moving (or not moving) players that should be on roster at the draft time to allow for protecting other players. I think, overall, we will be witnessing a pretty boring level of activity by Calgary Flames at the trade deadline. I selected players that are likely to generate reasonable trade interest as primary targets by other playoff contenders and will be in the mix from the Calgary point of view: Elliott - UFA next season, cap hit is not that big, could be a targeted backup goalie for a playoff contender. Calgary has three promising young goalies in the pipeline. Backlund - UFA next year, will likely be asking for a $5M+ long-term contract. Probably, has reached his peak potential. Playing very well this season. Could generate a high return in a trade. Bennett - obviously, a very promising young player with skill and energy. Struggling to find his game and his most effective position this season. Disciplined play is a concern, lots of silly penalties. Could generate a high return; perhaps, a player-for-player solid trade; win-win for both teams. I am not saying he should be traded; but only that a trade involving Bennett could make a good sense from the perspective of everyone involved. Engelland - undoubtedly, his best year as a Flame. Would benefit any playoff contender as a solid added depth defenseman. UFA next season. Wideman - UFA next season. Despite a lot of hate here for his mediocre play and conflict with refs last season, he has been playing reasonably well this season and will be a good addition to a playoff contender looking for a 3rd-4th defenseman. Should generate at least a 2nd round pick or better. On the balance, I think the most logical and easy first trade will be Elliott. So, with the above limitation criteria in mind, who do you think will be the first player traded by/at the deadline this year and why? P.S. This is not about who should/shouldn't be traded or who would you like to see traded. Who do you think WILL be the first player traded? __________________ "An idea is always a generalization, and generalization is a property of thinking. To generalize means to think." Georg Hegel “To generalize is to be an idiot.” William Blake Last edited by CaptainYooh; 01-13-2017 at 12:58 PM.