Treliving: We would like to add a defenceman

[Roof-Daddy]

This team really needs a solid shut down Dman with good size who can skate really well and make a strong first pass. Left shot preferred so you can pair him with Dougie.

As an aside here, I'd like to mention that Karl Alzner will be UFA next year if he doesn't sign an extension with the Caps. Just sayin.

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by Iniggywetrust

Is it bad that I want to sign Gormley just so the Jokinen trade can be looked at more favourably?

Gormley is a bust

Originally Posted by memphusk

Sure is a lot of folk that want to bring in re treads. Didn't work out, leave it be. Try something else.

Didn't work out? Russell improved by leaps and bounds as a player here and because apart of the leadership group. When Feaster picked up Russell he had just cleared waivers and was the #7 defenseman in St. Louis, when we traded Russell he was regarded by most as a top 4 defenseman. His time in Calgary was nothing short of a resounding success.

[browna]

Don't the Flames need someone a little bit more intimidating to play at the back end? Someone other than Engelland that makes them think twice about cutting wide and heading to the net, or hesitate to stand in front of the net because they're almost always going to get worked over by the guy.

That guy is/was Smid if he was 100% healthy, but he's done thanks to the Oilers shortening his career years back with shoddy and irresponsible medical treatment. I think Treliving wants a guy like that though.

Nothing wrong with Nakladal, but the Flames have a lot of guys back there in that mold. Likely the reason he hadn't been signed just yet.

Matt Greene from the Kings? Not as a long term guy, but for a couple seasons. Though just back from shoulder surgery last year so he's a question mark for sure. But someone of similar ilk, more on the physical side than the offensive one for this roster. If Polak hadn't lost more then a couple steps in the past two years since he left St. L, I'd have suggested him too before the Leafs re signed him.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by Alberta_Beef

Gormley is a bust

Didn't work out? Russell improved by leaps and bounds as a player here and because apart of the leadership group. When Feaster picked up Russell he had just cleared waivers and was the #7 defenseman in St. Louis, when we traded Russell he was regarded by most as a top 4 defenseman. His time in Calgary was nothing short of a resounding success.

A resounding success for whom? Russell? Because that's not the point.

[devo22]

when you turn a player who was acquired for a 5th into a hot trade deadline commodity who fetches a decent young defenseman, a 2nd round prospect and a 2nd, then yeah, that's a resounding success.

[memphusk]

Russell does not make the flames better. He may make some other team better, but not Calgary.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

This team really needs a solid shut down Dman with good size who can skate really well and make a strong first pass. Left shot preferred so you can pair him with Dougie.

Sounds like Kulak if he can add the 10lbs he's missing.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by devo22

when you turn a player who was acquired for a 5th into a hot trade deadline commodity who fetches a decent young defenseman, a 2nd round prospect and a 2nd, then yeah, that's a resounding success.

That's great, but he didn't make the flames better. Acquiring him will not make the flames better

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

That's great, but he didn't make the flames better. Acquiring him will not make the flames better

He most definitely made the Flames better he he was acquired. He may not be the answer now but suggesting he didn't improve the team in his first stint is laughable.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

That's great, but he didn't make the flames better. Acquiring him will not make the flames better

I don't know about acquiring him again (although the though crossed my mind), but I think it's almost undeniable that Russell made the team better than it was before he got here. He was a major factor in a playoff team, carrying the brunt of the defensive responsibilities after the loss of the captain while having the best season of his life. This past year was not as good, but his attitude and effort most ccertainly left it's mark on the younger players of the team, and I think any one of them would tell you that. And then, as said, even with a step-back season, he netted the Flames an important 2nd (nearly 1st) round pick, a solid young d-man, a a decent prospect.

I don't know if bringing him back would be the right call, but his time with the Flames most certainly made the team better.

[Fire of the Phoenix]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

Sounds like Kulak if he can add the 10lbs he's missing.

I will be honest, I didn't watch the AHL last season at all, so I have a hard time commenting on his progress there but from what I watched in October he needed to take a quantum leap forward in development before he was shutting down anyone at the NHL level. He looked promising in a limited role but I didn't see anything that screamed future top 4 guy really. Looked like yet another player that could blend in and not look out of place (against lesser players) but not someone you would want out there against anyone's top 6. I hope you are right though, if he truly is 10 lbs away from a key role that would be huge for this team considering how top heavy we are on D presently.

[868904]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

This team really needs a solid shut down Dman with good size who can skate really well and make a strong first pass. Left shot preferred so you can pair him with Dougie.

As an aside here, I'd like to mention that Karl Alzner will be UFA next year if he doesn't sign an extension with the Caps. Just sayin.

That's Wotherspoon, for whatever reason he couldn't gain Hartley's confidence. I see him as one of Gulutzan's big tasks. If he can help him realize his potential, the Flames will have a solid shutdown defenseman.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by Fire of the Phoenix

I will be honest, I didn't watch the AHL last season at all, so I have a hard time commenting on his progress there but from what I watched in October he needed to take a quantum leap forward in development before he was shutting down anyone at the NHL level. He looked promising in a limited role but I didn't see anything that screamed future top 4 guy really. Looked like yet another player that could blend in and not look out of place (against lesser players) but not someone you would want out there against anyone's top 6. I hope you are right though, if he truly is 10 lbs away from a key role that would be huge for this team considering how top heavy we are on D presently.

This was a scouting report by a third party, Jason Lewis who watched the entire AHL Pacific's Division as much as anyone albeit primarily a Kings/Reign fan:

Best Defensive Prospect: Brett Kulak, D, Stockton Heat (AHL)

‏The Flames have a lot of really good defensive prospects. Oliver Kylington, Rasmus Andersson, Pat Sieloff, and Brandon Hickey are all names to be excited about, but when it comes to an all-around defensive game, Brett Kulak might be the best they have. He is not big by modern standards, standing 6’1” and 200 pounds, but he is a tenacious defender who will make you pay if you have your head down. He can also skate fairly well and is aggressive in stepping up at the red and blue lines. Late in the year the 22-year old got a call-up and put a couple of games under his belt, bringing his season total to five. However, he should be considered one of the favorites for a bottom-pairing spot with the Flames starting next season.


Read more

[drewtastic]

Originally Posted by Alberta_Beef

Gormley is a bust

https://youtu.be/zEcGNj5nIgQ?t=29

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[Bar-Down]

I think the Flames are wanting to trade Wideman and then sign either Russell and/or Nakladal.

I know we need Engelland as a physical force back there but a top 6 like this wouldn't look too bad.

Gio-Brodie
Jokipakka-Hamilton
Russell-Nakladal

Soft group but my God would they be able to move the puck well.

[Calgary4LIfe]

I don't know why people are still so down on Engelland. He provides solid defensive play, and is Calgary's most physical and intimidating player. He also did very well (blew my expectations out of the water) when he was tasked with playing in the top 4 for long stretches.

He is a steady, calming influence on the backend. As long as he is not paired with another rugged guy, he will continue to do very well.

Giordano - Brodie
Jokipakka - Hamilton
Nakladal/Kulak/Wotherspoon - Engelland

I am happy with those 6. I would like Nakladal signed, but both Kulak and Wotherspoon did fine in their stints as well. However, to start the year it looks like it will be Wideman next to Engelland. Not the worst thing to happen, and there is nothing to say he can't rebound and play next to Hamilton, but he is obviously no longer an ideal fit on the team, even with him rebounding.

Only Wotherspoon is waiver-eligible, correct? Kulak I believe is still able to be sent down without waivers.

That is the issue with having Wideman on the team. You can't sign Nakladal and keep Wotherspoon. That will be an issue if the Flames acquire another defencemen as well. I don't think Wotherspoon will pass waivers - I guarantee the Canucks would put in a claim at least, seeing as Weisbrod is keen on the Flames' depth players.

I hope if the Flames are acquiring a defencemen, it is through trade and not through UFA. Russel I think would look good on the bottom pairing beside Engelland, but that would make it an expensive bottom pairing. I don't want Russel in the top 4 (I like Russel, but the top 4 needs 4 strong defencemen, even if they are puck-movers - you can't allow teams to cycle or retrieve pucks along the boards in your own zone at will).

Ideally, trade Wideman, sign Nakladal, and rotate Nakladal and Wotherspoon through the lineup. Easier said than done at this point, but I do think that Wideman can be traded for an insignificant return if the Flames end up deciding to go through that route. Some teams don't have a defencemen capable of putting up decent points from the backend.

[Alberta_Beef]

I am with you C4L, Engelland needs to be a mainstay in our lineup and frankly since he is the player that Gulutzan knows best I would not be shocked if his role gets slightly expanded.

[Finger Cookin]

What kind of vets are available in the mold of Diaz or Schlemko or O'Brien? That's the kind of depth guy that's going to be added.

[1qqaaz]

Well Kent Wilson likes Barrett Jackman for his advanced stats.

And he says Quincey, Seidenberg and Carle are all awful.

[saillias]

If it's between Russell and Carle/Seidenberg/Schenn types, may as well just bring him back. The main problem with Russell was Hartley's misuse of him. If he's sheltered in a 3rd pairing role as he should, he can be an effective bottom pairing guy.