I'm one of the biggest Butler haters on this board but...

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

I think that's it exactly.

Butler has the tools to be a decent player but I find his biggest problem is the first pass. Playing with Brodie, who moves the puck well, takes that pressure off him.

Whatever it is, he has been really good since Giordano went down.

And so has Russell.

Ian White had the tools to be a top pairing D and proved it when he was paired with Lidstrom.

Butler was vilified here because Bouw was not a number one, a guy who can play with anyone. And the legendary -9 involved plays not related to butler's fault at all.

Butler has never been as bad as CP consensus declared.

Brodie had a heck of a game. Butler and Russell have been pretty decent this year.

More kudos should be extended to Brodie tonight. He played really well

[FlameZilla]

Yeah, must agree that Brodie has made Butler look half-decent lately. I still think he's easily knocked off the puck & useless at getting good position on opponents in the crease. But when Brodie & he are on their game they don't need to worry much about physical battles as they're fast & their outlet passes are usually excellent.

Brodie reminded me of a mini-Duncan Keith last night & actually outplayed DK in the process.

*officially hijacks Butler thread to post Brodie love.

[FAN]

A lot of players with NHL experience play themselves out of the NHL once their so-called "potential" is more likely to become unrealized. I am in the camp who thinks that Butler is a fringe NHL defenseman and will find himself outside of the NHL by the time he's 30. He doesn't do anything special and he's inconsistent to boot.

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

That's why you need guys like Butler on the team that can play 3rd pairing and fill in top 4 when required due to injuries. There's nothing remarkable about his game but he can be competent. He just needs to keep his game simple and not try and do too much.

Nowadays, good teams tend to have a #5 who would be a top 4 defenseman on some teams. Butler isn't such a defenseman.

[Oling_Roachinen]

Originally Posted by DeluxeMoustache

Ian White had the tools to be a top pairing D and proved it when he was paired with Lidstrom.

All White proved was how good Lidstrom was even at that age. White went from top pairing defenseman to looking for work after Lidstrom retired in about 15 games.

[FBI]

I have liked Derek smith the last few games as well.

[Gary83]

Great play on Glencross' goal last night, excellent rush out of our zone.

[Husky]

Butler isn't a bad 3rd pairing D. The issue with him was that he was acquired for a long time Flames big D in Regehr and so expectations are/were high. Also, when Butler makes a mistake its usually a glaring one.

[Poe969]

He's as homely as a mule and twice as dumb, if a stranger offers us a nickle for him we should take it!

lol

I agree that he seems to have stepped up his game as of late and other teams may see that as a sign so if someone makes us a good offer of pick(s) and/or prospect(s) then I think we should take it. I also see him as part of bigger deal as most likely no team would make a trade directly for him but he could be a throw in.

I don't think any players on this team should be "off the market" except Monahan and Sven

[Kaine]

He has been better, now that wasn't hard to do since he couldn't have been much worse but yes he has been better. If he keeps this up he will be a serviceable 5-6 defenseman.

[kyuss275]

He has been much better since Gio went down. I expect that has to do with not playing with SOB.

If Butler keeps this up he will have trade value by the time Gio comes back. I would probably trade him the second Gio is back because i think he goes back to bad play if he is put with SOB again.

I really hope SOB is not on the Flames next year. The only reason he is looking better in the last few games because he is playing 7 minutes a game.

[Bourque's Twin]

I Can Believe It's Not Butler...

[strombad]

Perfect time to include him in a trade for maximum value. Butler wasn't necessarily as bad as he had been playing, but is certainly isn't as good as he's been playing the last couple games. If we can ship him out now for value? We're laughin'.

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by Oling_Roachinen

All White proved was how good Lidstrom was even at that age. White went from top pairing defenseman to looking for work after Lidstrom retired in about 15 games.

Thanks for demonstrating that you understood what I was saying

[JobHopper]

Chris Butler will also be a UFA after this season so it's really a win win for the Flames. They may even resign him for another year. For his cap space and where he plays, I don't have a problem with the guy.

[Stay Golden]

even the sun can shine on a junkyard once in a while

[Redliner]