Quote:
Originally Posted by gvitaly
You could be right, I just don't think Kadri would see Utah as a contender. Then again, I'm guessing as much as the next guy.
As for Whitecloud, I don't think the Flames will trade him this year. On that note, I think it's more likely that either Whitecloud or Weegar moves in a trade a couple of weeks after free agency opens.
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I doubt I am but I see the logic behind it.
1) Mammoth have a good team with a strong prospect pipeline. More prospects than they have spots for in an NHL roster and as player salaries escalate to chase the rising cap they will have trouble keeping all of these young stars and their $10-15M cap hits.
2) Cooley and Iginla are untouchable. Desnoyers is massively valuable but I do not know if untouchable will apply if the return is big enough.
3) I do not know if a couple of big adds would put them into "cup contention" category but it would definitely make them a strong playoff team instead of a bubble team. Their problem is really that they are in an crazy strong division with the Avs, Stars, and Wild all at the top of the league. Hence the advantage of WC1 going into the Pacific bracket.
If they bring in Kadri at $3.5M he would be an amazing #3C that can also slot into their power play. Cooley, Schmaltz, Kadri is really good C depth. If they walk Schmaltz to UFA then next year the C depth could be Cooley, Kadri, Iginla. But walking Schmaltz to UFA seems a bit crazy with him being nearly a PPG this season.
If they bring in Whitecloud, it would strengthen their RD a bit. They really needed someone more like Andersson but Whitecloud is a good option too from what we are seeing.
The only other add I would look at for the Mammoth would be a better backup goalie. Vanecek doesn't look like he is helping the team any with his 3-9-2 record. Maybe they ask for our Cooley too?
If the Mammoth go for it, there could be a path to the conference finals through the Pacific.