[Rumour] Dreger: Backlund is available. Garrioch: Shane O'Brien available too

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Players are showcased all the time. And players understand that.

Many think Jackman was showcased, and I don't think that sent any messages to the team.

Finally, define 'failing' on the PP... how could anyone tell against the backdrop of the current PP? Also, if the PP fails, who's fault is it?

The only problem with showcasing players is that you need them to impress otherwise it has the opposite effect of what you want.

At this point, selling Backlund as a bit of a mystery or enigma might have more value.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

The only problem with showcasing players is that you need them to impress otherwise it has the opposite effect of what you want.

At this point, selling Backlund as a bit of a mystery or enigma might have more value.

I don't disagree.

But playing him for 6 or 8 minutes on the 4th line with McGrattan cannot possibly be a more effective strategy.

[Badgers Nose]

With the Heat doing so well it puts pressure on players up here that are not performing to expectations. It makes sense to make room by moving guys that you can't send down.

Knight and Wotherspoon are stealing other guys jobs.

That's what we want, right?

Backlund is worth a mid 1st rounder in a weak draft. Same thing he was. Or a prospect project for the farm and a lower pick.

SOB is worth a 3rd round pick and a career ahl d-man.

[Jake]

I think everyone agrees the Flames either need a C back if Backlund/Stajan are moved, or they need to sign one in the off season. This is because after those two, the Flames only have Monahan, Colborne, Knight, and Reinhart, and maybe guys like Jones (UFA) and Galiardi that could fill in. I also think it is important to bring in a veteran C to allow Monahan to play sheltered minutes.

There are a few decent centers that I could see making it to fee agency this year... Stastny, Roy, Legwand, Bolland, Ott... Stastny could be a good two-way C for Monahan to develop under, although I have a feeling someone will offer him a Horton-esk contract.

[kipperfan]

Originally Posted by Badgers Nose

With the Heat doing so well it puts pressure on players up here that are not performing to expectations. It makes sense to make room by moving guys that you can't send down.

Knight and Wotherspoon are stealing other guys jobs.

That's what we want, right?

Backlund is worth a mid 1st rounder in a weak draft. Same thing he was. Or a prospect project for the farm and a lower pick.

SOB is worth a 3rd round pick and a career ahl d-man.

I don't agree with that assessment at all. If no GM in the league was willing to give up a 3rd (or a 4th) for Russell, who is clearly better then SOB (and was before this season) and 4 years younger, then there is no chance in hell we get a 3rd for O'Brien. IMO unless he picks up his play we'll be lucky to get a 5th or 6th.

[Vedder]

If the team has decided that Colborne is more likely to be a top 9 C moving forward, then I think they should give Backlund a look on the wing. It's conceivable that both Cammalleri and Stempniak could be traded before year end, and in that case Backlund could play a top 9 winger role for a year or two at a decent price. If he develops into something more than that, great.

At worst he is a 25 year old bottom 6 forward with a seemingly good attitude. It just seems too early to give up on him, especially if the return is only a draft pick or average prospect.

[Zevo]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

So if he does well, that's bad?

No it's not bad, but I meant if he was capable of that role right now he wouldn't be on the trading block.

[bucksmasher]

Originally Posted by Badgers Nose

With the Heat doing so well it puts pressure on players up here that are not performing to expectations. It makes sense to make room by moving guys that you can't send down.

Knight and Wotherspoon are stealing other guys jobs.

That's what we want, right?

Backlund is worth a mid 1st rounder in a weak draft. Same thing he was. Or a prospect project for the farm and a lower pick.

SOB is worth a 3rd round pick and a career ahl d-man.

I respectfully disagree that you get replacement value for players and picks. I think a 2nd for Backlund would be fair and should be expected.

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by bucksmasher

I respectfully disagree that you get replacement value for players and picks. I think a 2nd for Backlund would be fair and should be expected.

I agree. Also i doubt SOB has any value unless they eat salary. As i said in another post or thread, i don't think any team would pick him up for free on waivers.

[saillias]

Am I the only one who remembers Backlund's lockout-shortened season? He was confident, put up points and even had a bit of a mean streak.

I want that player to come back... But he needs Glencross and Stempniak on his wing, not McGrattan.

[Yoho]

Originally Posted by saillias

Am I the only one who remembers Backlund's lockout-shortened season? He was confident, put up points and even had a bit of a mean streak.

I want that player to come back... But he needs Glencross and Stempniak on his wing, not McGrattan.

Hasn't he had players like this to play with on and off during the year? I don't think the results were much more noticable than when he played with Gratts

[Bingo]

I'm torn as well.

I agree that you don't want to give Backlund away, but I certainly don't blame Sutter and Hartley for the fact that he hasn't seized the reigns when given a chance. He just hasn't. This team is thirsting for players to grab ice, and he's just not getting it done.

With O'Brien I think it's more that they have a fear that Breen won't make it through waivers and that decision is coming up soon. Might be better to move a guy like O'Brien and have Breen worked into the lineup so they can decide where he fits going forward.

[H2SO4(aq)]

Backlund for Ty Rattie? one can dream

[Da_Chief]

^No Thanks. Bad trade. Lets not try to acquire Hnat Domenchelli.

[H2SO4(aq)]

Originally Posted by Da_Chief

^No Thanks. Bad trade. Lets not try to acquire Hnat Domenchelli.

Care too elaborate chief? I'm interested as to why you feel that.

[Da_Chief]

Originally Posted by H2SO4(aq)

Care too elaborate chief? I'm interested as to why you feel that.

Only seen Rattie play couple times and both times came away unimpressed. Looking at his AHL stats, his size he's questionable at talent best imo.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by Da_Chief

Only seen Rattie play couple times and both times came away unimpressed. Looking at his AHL stats, his size he's questionable at talent best imo.

I agree, he has bust written all over him imo.

[Badgers Nose]

Originally Posted by kipperfan

I don't agree with that assessment at all. If no GM in the league was willing to give up a 3rd (or a 4th) for Russell, who is clearly better then SOB (and was before this season) and 4 years younger, then there is no chance in hell we get a 3rd for O'Brien. IMO unless he picks up his play we'll be lucky to get a 5th or 6th.

SOB is completely different and addresses a completely different need, so I don't see the comparison at all. Anyone that wants SOB wants him because of who he is, a burly d-man. He would fill a role on a contender looking for depth.

It will be interesting to see what he fetches.

[Da_Chief]

St.Louis prospect I'm interested in is Dmitrij Jaskin. High blend of skill and size.

More prospects I like, lesser known.
-Brett Ritchie (Dal)
-Josh Leivo (Tor)
-Nicolas Kerdiles (Ana)
-Nicklas Jensen (Van)
-Jake Allen (Stl)
-Danny Kristo (NYR)
-Vincent Trochek (Flo)
-Eric Gelinas (NJ)
-Tomas Jurco (Det)
-Adam Lowry (SJ)
-Ryan Sproul (Det)

Just the few I could think of.

[MrMastodonFarm]

We should flip Smid instead of O'Brien. I like Smid much more but it would be fun to embarrass Lowe and Mactavish to get a better package back so quickly.