[News] D Raphael Diaz accepts try out with Flames

[sureLoss]

http://swisshockeynews.ch/index.php/...on-for-try-out

Silvan Schweizer @SchweizerSilvan
Raphael #Diaz accepts the invitation for tryout of the #CalgaryFlames, joins Bob #Hartley and Sven #Baertschi in Camp.

Another Swiss player and another Right handed shot

If true he turned down the Red Wings offer for a tryout:

http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2...-raphael-diaz/

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Huh, people are choosing the Flames over the Red Wings for the same situation? The only reason I can think of is because the Flames have an easier roster to crack, but the only one I can see him replacing is Russell, maybe Wideman if he has an awful camp.

[Poe969]

This is good news. He isn't terribly old or bad and if he doesn't make it, it really doesn't matter. If he can replace someone like Russell on the roster, it gives us a trading chip.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

I'll say this, I'd rather have Diaz as a 7th d-man than Brookbank or Potter.

[Husky]

Diaz would be a great addition to the 3rd pairing or 7th D spot versus some of the other current options.

I still think at some point, a current D has to be moved...either Wideman or Russell. Russell would be a solid addition to a contender looking for a cheaper player to fill a hole.

[Poe969]

I actually thought Diaz played well for the Canadians last year. I realistically think he can crack our top 6 and push someone else out.

I'm wondering if there might be a deal in place for one of our defensemen and that's the reason we brought in a couple potential replacements.

[gilligans_off]

So Diaz is Swiss?!? I just assumed he was Latino or something.

In other news lol I think it's OK to have him around but do the flames really need 3 extra defenceman?

[ComixZone]

I love what Treliving is doing. He's filling our bottom-end Roster spots with veterans (not very good ones at that) in order to keep our kids in Adirondack where they should be able to compete for the Calder Cup. Developing youth in a winning environment is the absolute best way to do it.

If we end up with one of Eichel/Hanifin/McDavid while battling for every inch of ice like last season, AND Johnny Gaudreau gets to raise the AHL championship? That'd be a perfect season in my eyes (considering the current state of things).

[The Original FFIV]

Wow! Didnt see this coming. Looks like Treliving is cornering the market on depth D and messing with teams who are looking for rhd depth. We are seriously overloading the rhd position which gives us options personnel wise and could give us trade chips either during camp when other teams need to make adjustments or at the deadline when teams need depth. Interesting to note both Detroit and Dallas were in the running here.

Love what Treliving is doing this off season. Definite departure from the old regime.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by gilligans_off

So Diaz is Swiss?!? I just assumed he was Latino or something.

In other news lol I think it's OK to have him around but do the flames really need 3 extra defenceman?

His father is Spanish, but he was born and raised in Switzerland.

I think he makes the team.

[PeteMoss]

That 6 game stint he had with the Canucks last year will never be forgotten.

He's pretty small though. Not sure if I can see the Flames keeping him and Russell.

[handgroen]

lot of re-treads coming into camp on D

[playmaker]

Originally Posted by Cali Flames Fan

I'll say this, I'd rather have Diaz as a 7th d-man than Brookbank or Potter.

Depends on who gets injured or benched. I'd say Brookbank is a fair replacement for Engelland while Diaz is more of a Russel type dman. The thing is that our young goalies will need as much protection as they can get.

[ricardodw]

Originally Posted by The Original FFIV

Wow! Didnt see this coming. Looks like Treliving is cornering the market on depth D and messing with teams who are looking for rhd depth. We are seriously overloading the rhd position which gives us options personnel wise and could give us trade chips either during camp when other teams need to make adjustments or at the deadline when teams need depth. Interesting to note both Detroit and Dallas were in the running here.

Love what Treliving is doing this off season. Definite departure from the old regime.

Treliving is providing a service for the teams looking for depth defense....

Porter has a contract but if Diaz or Brookbank turn out to be in the top 6 Flames defense on Oct 1 then they will look around for the best team for them to sign with.... the Flames get a polite thank you for the opportunity.


The Flames got the same thing with with the Canucks giving Brendan Morrison a try-out when the league thought he was washed up. The Flames were not ready to offer him a contract in the off season but when he did well at the Canuck's camp they picked him up.

[ricardodw]

Diaz is small and soft.

He fills the void that the Flames created getting rid of Derek Smith and Billins going to the KHL.

[The Original FFIV]

Originally Posted by playmaker

Depends on who gets injured or benched. I'd say Brookbank is a fair replacement for Engelland while Diaz is more of a Russel type dman. The thing is that our young goalies will need as much protection as they can get.

I think Diaz could be a Wideman replacement. Puck moving Rhd with offensive upside. Treliving seems very calculating and won't move a piece unless the replacement piece is in place.

Unlikely this would happen but could brookbank be a potential replacement for Smid (the role he plays, as Smid had greater talent undoubtedly). I'm sure Smid is happy to be out of oilerville but does he want to stay with a rebuilding club for another few years? Like him as a player and all but by the time we are competitive again he will be a UFa and might want to chase the $$$ and go to a serious contender at that time. Don't get me wrong as I like the player and there is benefit to have him around to help teach the young guys but if he'd rather be somewhere else and we can get a future piece while at the same time have a suitable replacement for the role he plays I could see something happening.

Think of the pairings this way if our ptos stay and if wideman/Smid could be moved for future parts.

Gio-Brodie
Russell-Diaz
Brookbank-Engelland
Potter

We could play with the top pairing in order to balance out the lhd and Rhd. More likely that wideman could be moved instead of Smid under this scenario.

[The Original FFIV]

Originally Posted by ricardodw

Diaz is small and soft.

He fills the void that the Flames created getting rid of Derek Smith and Billins going to the KHL.

Wideman is 6' and 200lbs

Diaz is 5'11 and 197lbs

Yes Wideman plays a tougher game with his hip checks but they are a similar size.

[mennoknight]

Brookbank-Engelland
Woof. Ugh.

[prizefighterinferno]

Originally Posted by The Original FFIV

Gio-Brodie
Russell-Diaz
Brookbank-Engelland
Potter

That bottom pairing....shudder.

[Vinny01]

I don't see the Flames moving Smid anytime in the near future. He plays the right style and as a Dman hasn't really hit his prime yet. Wideman is a guy I could see moved for the right price but not until he has had a Janice to redeem himself for last year.

The flames want that 7th spot going to a vet over a kid and it is the right call.