Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community - View Single Post - [Trade] Flames acquire Mike Smith (25% retained) for Chad Johnson, Brandon Hickey, & cond 3rd

Calgary4LIfe · 06-17-2017, 09:35 PM

Some angry people due to this trade. I really don't get it.

What other options were there? Let's look at this logically.

I was on the hope that Treliving would obtain 2 out of the up-and-coming goalies. I am guessing that the prices were on the high side, even through Vegas. Calgary would probably be able to obtain one, but is that what people really expect? After 2 straight season of inconsistent goaltending, I don't think Treliving would have rolled the dice that one of these backups was indeed ready to handle the full workload and pressure of being a starter. Getting two would have limited the risk, but again, the acquisition price on one was probably on the high side.

So Treliving went out and got the best available bona fide backup. Say what you will about Smith, but he is consistent, and he hates to lose. Treliving invested in Elliott last off-season, and Elliott had such an inconsistent season (and downright atrocious in the playoffs). I did not expect Treliving to reinvest into Elliott again this off-season with that 3rd rounder. What did we find out last season about Elliott? That he can be elite at times, but he is not the answer for this team.

Smith is a really good stop-gap I think. He also moves the puck well, which will definitely help our defencemen out. I must say, I don't like his flopping, but I do like how angry he is in net sometimes and will not hesitate to hack a guy that comes to close. With Engelland more than likely departing the team this off-season, that can help a bit. Smith's numbers are good - very good considering the Coyotes are terrible defensively. Smith getting those numbers on the high-danger chances is something - I believe they include the 2nd, 3rd (and in the Coyotes) 8th and 9th chances too. He will get a lot more support from the Calgary D, and I do think his numbers will improve somewhat.

However, I also don't expect a top 10 goalie. I expect a consistently decent goalie that won't lose many games for the Flames when the Flames should have won. I don't think he will steal too many games either, but that's ok - the Flames are a good, young, solid team that should win much more often than lose, and you just need a goalie that is consistent enough to support that. Flames haven't had that in some time now. Ramo was the closest thing to that in the last 3 seasons, but even he had periods where he just didn't bring it. Smith is consistent.

I like the move. Sucks that the Flames will lose a 2nd rounder - but that's the price you pay sometimes, and it is a bargain. Gives the Flames' goalie prospects another close look at a different NHL starter who has has a lot of success in this league. Gillies is such a sponge, so hopefully he absorbs some of the good stuff Smith does.

Losing Hickey absolutely sucks, but as others have mentioned, when he returned to school he was essentially as good as gone. Flames wanted to sign Hickey and Treliving even said "expect news soon", and then suddenly you hear that Hickey is going back to college, and there was no further information from the Flames' side. That was concerning, and I guess that concern was probably justified. A signed Hickey is an over-payment (IMO) for Smith, but an unsigned Hickey is negligible value here. Flames would more than likely have lost him for absolutely nothing. Flames had no leverage, and the best that they could hope for was a very late round pick from some team that felt they could sign him. Treliving did well here by getting at least some value.

Now, what is left?

Well, rumor has it that Johnson will return after July 1st. I am 100% good with that. He has been the Flames' best backup in like 20 years. I don't think he is a starter, but he is an absolutely great backup. If he isn't returning, the Flames could still grab one of those young heralded goalies many people want - a Grubauer, Raanta, Pickard, etc.,. If the Flames don't acquire another goalie from now until the season starts, then they must feel one of Rittich or Gillies is ready for backup duties, and that's not bad either, especially when there are two shots at the can on that. Flames can rotate them up and down to get them playing time in the AHL/NHL.

I am ok with this trade. The 2nd rounder is pretty high, but is it all things considering? That retention can be very helpful, and in the grand scheme of things a 2nd round pick is something that should be sacrificed yearly to the Hockey Gods for helping your team not lose games they should have won (ahem, like games 2, 3 and 4 in the playoffs last year).

Unspectacular, but Treliving didn't give up a whole lot, and managed to find consistent goaltending in the 4 millions who has a track record of carrying a team and having a heavy workload. I think consistency is something we can appreciate for this upcoming season. I miss Kipprusoff and his elite consistency, but I will take what Smith brings any day of the week for the next 2 seasons.

06-17-2017, 09:35 PM	#855
Calgary4LIfe Franchise Player Join Date: Jun 2010 Exp:	Some angry people due to this trade. I really don't get it. What other options were there? Let's look at this logically. I was on the hope that Treliving would obtain 2 out of the up-and-coming goalies. I am guessing that the prices were on the high side, even through Vegas. Calgary would probably be able to obtain one, but is that what people really expect? After 2 straight season of inconsistent goaltending, I don't think Treliving would have rolled the dice that one of these backups was indeed ready to handle the full workload and pressure of being a starter. Getting two would have limited the risk, but again, the acquisition price on one was probably on the high side. So Treliving went out and got the best available bona fide backup. Say what you will about Smith, but he is consistent, and he hates to lose. Treliving invested in Elliott last off-season, and Elliott had such an inconsistent season (and downright atrocious in the playoffs). I did not expect Treliving to reinvest into Elliott again this off-season with that 3rd rounder. What did we find out last season about Elliott? That he can be elite at times, but he is not the answer for this team. Smith is a really good stop-gap I think. He also moves the puck well, which will definitely help our defencemen out. I must say, I don't like his flopping, but I do like how angry he is in net sometimes and will not hesitate to hack a guy that comes to close. With Engelland more than likely departing the team this off-season, that can help a bit. Smith's numbers are good - very good considering the Coyotes are terrible defensively. Smith getting those numbers on the high-danger chances is something - I believe they include the 2nd, 3rd (and in the Coyotes) 8th and 9th chances too. He will get a lot more support from the Calgary D, and I do think his numbers will improve somewhat. However, I also don't expect a top 10 goalie. I expect a consistently decent goalie that won't lose many games for the Flames when the Flames should have won. I don't think he will steal too many games either, but that's ok - the Flames are a good, young, solid team that should win much more often than lose, and you just need a goalie that is consistent enough to support that. Flames haven't had that in some time now. Ramo was the closest thing to that in the last 3 seasons, but even he had periods where he just didn't bring it. Smith is consistent. I like the move. Sucks that the Flames will lose a 2nd rounder - but that's the price you pay sometimes, and it is a bargain. Gives the Flames' goalie prospects another close look at a different NHL starter who has has a lot of success in this league. Gillies is such a sponge, so hopefully he absorbs some of the good stuff Smith does. Losing Hickey absolutely sucks, but as others have mentioned, when he returned to school he was essentially as good as gone. Flames wanted to sign Hickey and Treliving even said "expect news soon", and then suddenly you hear that Hickey is going back to college, and there was no further information from the Flames' side. That was concerning, and I guess that concern was probably justified. A signed Hickey is an over-payment (IMO) for Smith, but an unsigned Hickey is negligible value here. Flames would more than likely have lost him for absolutely nothing. Flames had no leverage, and the best that they could hope for was a very late round pick from some team that felt they could sign him. Treliving did well here by getting at least some value. Now, what is left? Well, rumor has it that Johnson will return after July 1st. I am 100% good with that. He has been the Flames' best backup in like 20 years. I don't think he is a starter, but he is an absolutely great backup. If he isn't returning, the Flames could still grab one of those young heralded goalies many people want - a Grubauer, Raanta, Pickard, etc.,. If the Flames don't acquire another goalie from now until the season starts, then they must feel one of Rittich or Gillies is ready for backup duties, and that's not bad either, especially when there are two shots at the can on that. Flames can rotate them up and down to get them playing time in the AHL/NHL. I am ok with this trade. The 2nd rounder is pretty high, but is it all things considering? That retention can be very helpful, and in the grand scheme of things a 2nd round pick is something that should be sacrificed yearly to the Hockey Gods for helping your team not lose games they should have won (ahem, like games 2, 3 and 4 in the playoffs last year). Unspectacular, but Treliving didn't give up a whole lot, and managed to find consistent goaltending in the 4 millions who has a track record of carrying a team and having a heavy workload. I think consistency is something we can appreciate for this upcoming season. I miss Kipprusoff and his elite consistency, but I will take what Smith brings any day of the week for the next 2 seasons.