Quote:
Originally Posted by BigBrodieFan
I like you. And I normally agree with most of what you say (except I still don't know why you like Houston 
I have blocked a lot of people this year for being needlessly relentless about several players, but most people on these boards are fair and mindful, and I really do appreciate those people. Being involved with Calgary Puck has been such a fun experience for me, and I am fairly sad that I might be 'BigBrodieFan' on a different message board soon.
That being said, TJ has given 8 years to the Flames and he has a done a lot of good. His most valuable asset has been his speed, regardless if anyone wants to admit it or not. It's what gives him the most value. Valimaki is a great kid and he's going to be a great player for the Flames, as is Andersson, Kyl, etc, etc. However, you are going to notice a definite lack of speed from your blue line with Brodie gone.
Next year, you'll just have a couple of more whipping boys- and one or two of them will be slow defensemen. Maybe they wouldn't be slow to some teams, but you've been spoiled by a very fast blue line. It's especially going to look slower without Mike Smith to help the D avoid getting hit, and having puck battles in the boards. |
Quote:
Originally Posted by Strange Brew
I get exactly what you're saying. And I know you have a personal interest in Brodie which makes you a fan. I am fan of certain players too, like Gaudreau, who make the game interesting for me. So while I want to see the team improve, there are definitely guys I would rather not see moved. Iginla was another one.
If your goal going into the offseason is to trade so and so, it's going to fail. If trading Brodie or anyone else gets you what you truly covet,then its worth it IMO. And I am a little pissed that our mobile D got owned by the Avs. Not saying the forwards are blameless, it just didn't end up being an advantage at all.
As for Houston, any diverse city of this size will have good and bad things. After living here a while, I have figured out the things I like and try to focus on those. And there is plenty. I also get defensive when people call the city I call home, a "dump". Without knowing, I'm going to guess you live in Katy which might impact your perspective |
Come on, you two, this is far too civil and rational for this thread.
But really, the reason I want the Flames to trade Brodie doesn't stem from an overwhelming personal dislike of the player. Brodie has given the Flames a lot of good hockey. Seven consecutive 30-point seasons from a defenseman... I mean, that's pretty impressive.
Also, I completely get being a fan of the player. Heck, I have a Brodie jersey hanging in my closet. Right beside the David Jones one. Sometimes it's hard to see certain guys get traded, just because they're part of a special attachment to the team. That's part of being a fan. I empathize with that a million percent.
Brodie seems like a genuinely nice person. He's been a battler. He's dealt with personal and family struggles and fire from the media and fans. He had something of a bounce-back season this year. I have all the respect in the world for a guy like that.
But, as Treliving says, "it's a business." On the heels of his better season, Brodie's value has probably increased, and with one year left on his deal and a great deal of depth at the defense position (plus other players to sign), it likely makes sense for the Flames to move him. Brodie is a skilled player, and ideally, you'd like to keep all of them. But as was the case with Micheal Ferland last summer, I believe that Brodie's time to go has come.
I understand the qualms about speed. I think Hanifin and Kylington are pretty fast. But Hamonic and Andersson leave something to be desired in that category. All of those guys are skilled defenders, though, and a good thing about trading Brodie (and Stone) is that it offers the opportunity to look for someone cheaper who might offer a similar skill-set -- a diamond in the rough, so to sepak -- and who might be able to fill the hole that Brodie vacates.
At the end of the day, if Brodie was to remain a Flame and re-sign in 2020, it might be at a prohibitive cost. Not only might he command a salary of over $6 million, but he might render Hanifin or Andersson unprotected in the expansion draft.
Anyway, those are my extended thoughts. If Brodie does stay, BigBrodieFan, then I will be happy for you. Favourite players are a funny thing. Also, I have never been to Houston, but I dislike the concept of the Coyotes moving there, so I dislike Houston.