Flames Pending UFAs

[Cheerio]

The Flames only have 3 pending UFA dmen on the team right now, Corey Potter, Raphael Diaz and David Schlemko. Which of these guys do you think should be brought back?

Personally, I think we could live without Diaz and Potter but letting Schlemko go would be a massive mistake. The guy was nothing short of amazing since we picked him up and was the Flames 4th best dman after Gio went down. He won't demand a huge salary and is an Alberta boy who will want to stay with the team. Schlemko doesn't make mistakes and made Brodie a much better player than Engelland ever did, he also makes a great first pass and actually takes his man in front of the net.

[oldschoolcalgary]

schlemko is my preference then Diaz and Potter.

the reality is our D was really stretched with the Gio injury.... so we need some depth and some more development of the younger kids...

[Caged Great]

Schlemko as the 7th/8th defenseman would be perfect.

Ideally next season I would like

Giordano-Brodie
Russell-UFA/Trade
Wideman-Smid/Engelland
Smid/Engelland-Schlemko

My preference would be to deal off Smid as well for something else.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by Caged Great

Schlemko as the 7th/8th defenseman would be perfect.

Ideally next season I would like

Giordano-Brodie
Russell-UFA/Trade
Wideman-Smid/Engelland
Smid/Engelland-Schlemko

My preference would be to deal off Smid as well for something else.

I think Smid retires and leaves the game while he still has his health.

You bring back both Schlemko and Diaz for depth while our prospects develop some more.

[albertGQ]

Why would you split up Russell and Wideman? I think they should stay together.

[Caged Great]

Originally Posted by albertGQ

Why would you split up Russell and Wideman? I think they should stay together.

Depends on who they bring in really. The new guy might end up getting paired with Gio instead. If the Flames land a guy like Seabrook, they wouldn't get placed on the third pairing.

[kirant]

I'm fine keeping two of the three...all three might be an issue for depth.

I think the Flames right now would stand at, assuming Smid never recovers...a possibility I feel is quite possible:

Giordano - Brodie
Russell - Wideman
Wotherspoon - Engelland
??? (Culkin?)

Schlemko is pretty much the perfect depth defenceman and I would want him back without question.

Diaz is something the Flames don't have much of: a right handed puck mover. It might be worth keeping him for that reason alone and use him for depth.

Potter is likely the odd man out in this regard...I don't see him adding much that the Flames don't have already.

That would set the defence situation at:
Giordano - Brodie
Russell - Wideman
Engelland - Diaz

Schlemko, Wotherspoon

Which is a lateral move. Trading might solve a hole or two with regard to physical strength and might make Diaz expendable.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Pick between Schlemko/Diaz.

[dammage79]

If you were going to hold a gun to my head and pick one of the UFA's to re-sign, I'd go with Schlemko. Great depth guy. Diaz, while solid in parts of the year was scary as all heck for a lot of his games.

With Schlemko, I never cringed while he was on the ice, very Kris Russell esque. Not as good but he can get there.

[thefoss1957]

Originally Posted by Caged Great

Depends on who they bring in really. The new guy might end up getting paired with Gio instead. If the Flames land a guy like Seabrook, they wouldn't get placed on the third pairing.

Seabrook still has a year left on his contract, and the 'Hawks will already have to replace 3 D-Men in Timonen, Rozival, and Oduya...

Seabrook is very unlikely to be shopped...

[icarus]

Keep both Schlemko and Diaz around until a rookie is ready to steal one of their jobs, unless we can find an upgrade via trade or free agency. But I have no problem with either of those guys.

[Monahan23]

Schlemko played pretty well. Sign Schlemko for two years, Diaz for one, drop Potter

Gio-Brodie
Russell-Wideman
Schlemko-Engelland
Diaz

Wotherspoon is not an NHL defence-man right now, Hartley couldn't trust him for more than 4 minutes a game

[Red Menace]

I don't mind Schlemko or Diaz, but I think the team should explore the UFA market for a more reliable option. Keep one (or both) of them as your 7/8 d-men.

[The Fonz]

Re-sign Schlemko, Ferland, Bouma, Shore, Jooris, and Ramo.
Let Diaz, Potter, and Byron walk as free agents.
Trade Hiller for a pick, and Backlund for Dman.

[Finger Cookin]

There's an existing thread with 115 replies about the defensemen.

I hope a Giordano extension gets done this off-season. I'm indifferent on re-signing Ramo. Presumably McGrattan, Setoguchi, Cundari, and Thiessen are done with the organization.

[Benched]

I think Backlund has to stay. You NEED a shutdown 3rd line center, that has the potential for creating offense.

I like what he brings to this club.


As to the D
Schlemko - yes
Diaz - on the fence, depends on Smid
Potter - see you later

[BigRed]

Schlemko is the guy on the bottom pairing who would help Engelland elevate his game. They're good complements, and could handle 15 min/game, giving the top 4 the break they need. He looked right at home. Keep him.

[Fire of the Phoenix]

Originally Posted by Benched

I think Backlund has to stay. You NEED a shutdown 3rd line center, that has the potential for creating offense.

I like what he brings to this club.


As to the D
Schlemko - yes
Diaz - on the fence, depends on Smid
Potter - see you later

We need a shutdown center that is good at faceoffs, and is big preferably. Just a hunch but I don't think Backlund will be a Flame come September.

[Benched]

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by Fire of the Phoenix

We need a shutdown center that is good at faceoffs, and is big preferably. Just a hunch but I don't think Backlund will be a Flame come September.

Who do you see replacing Backlund? I don't think you just hand Bennett the second line role, and Stajan is a much better third-line centre. I think Backlund is locked in as our 2C for next season.