Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community - View Single Post - 2015/2016 Trade Speculation and Rumors v2

Calgary4LIfe · 02-12-2016, 12:10 PM

Nichushkin is a really good 'buy-low' young player with great upside, and who checks off a lot of what the Flames need.

Big? Check
Fast? Check
Good in the corners and on the cycle? Check
Good defensively? Check (for a 20 year old, he is surprisingly really good, albeit inconsistent).

He essentially lost a developmental year to injury. That is a risk. Sometimes you can't make up for it, and the ceiling gets lowered. Still, it isn't impossible for him to become a really good power-forward in this league that could really balance a line with Gaudreau.

I totally would support a Hudler + Russell for Nichushkin. Risky trade for both sides (Nichushkin may never develop, Hudler and Russell walk as UFAs) but I think from the Flames' standpoint, it is a risk worth taking. It is incredibly difficult in this league to acquire players with size who are also skilled.

02-12-2016, 12:10 PM	#14
Calgary4LIfe Franchise Player Join Date: Jun 2010 Exp:	Nichushkin is a really good 'buy-low' young player with great upside, and who checks off a lot of what the Flames need. Big? Check Fast? Check Good in the corners and on the cycle? Check Good defensively? Check (for a 20 year old, he is surprisingly really good, albeit inconsistent). He essentially lost a developmental year to injury. That is a risk. Sometimes you can't make up for it, and the ceiling gets lowered. Still, it isn't impossible for him to become a really good power-forward in this league that could really balance a line with Gaudreau. I totally would support a Hudler + Russell for Nichushkin. Risky trade for both sides (Nichushkin may never develop, Hudler and Russell walk as UFAs) but I think from the Flames' standpoint, it is a risk worth taking. It is incredibly difficult in this league to acquire players with size who are also skilled.