[News] Flames Cut 19

[BigFlameDog]

Curious question, can Monahan be sent down later in the year if it is deemed necessary? I know he can't go to Abby out of camp but if they keep him and he needs some time on the farm later can they do that?

[Wolven]

Originally Posted by Parallex

Well... McDavid does at any rate. Ekblad looks to be very good but I wouldn't call him a franchise player.

I'm not sure what more Ekblad can do earn that designation. Being the second (and the first Dman) to ever earn exceptional status to play in the OHL as an underager is pretty significant. Even with being a Dman and missing 10+ games on the year he ended up 7th on the team for points.

What's more, he already has a better beard than most people on this board could hope for. And, to make things even better, he is apparently a long time friend of McDavid. All the more reason to collect them both.

The article also goes on to give some other fun facts, like how Ekblad is being mentored by Bobby Orr and how he is now 6'5".

Originally Posted by Parallex

Honestly though... I'm having a hard time imagining Burke and Feaster not looking at the probable $40,000,000.00 in potential Cap Space we'll have at the end of this year and deciding not to go whale hunting (Not with both Phaneaf & Kessel on the market at anyrate).

I don't see a Flames - Phaneuf reunion happening any time soon. It will be interesting to see who all makes it to UFA day. There are a lot of big names with their contracts coming up this year and I am sure most of the teams will be looking to re-sign guys like Vanek, Thornton, Gaborik, Marleau, Lundqvist, Boyle, Miller, etc.

If the Flames do go whale hunting though, I expect it would have to be one of the younger guys on a huge contract so that he can both help stabilize the team in the short term and still be able to contribute to the long term success after the rebuild.

[Savvy27]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

You can't risk losing what was said to be an important piece in the Bouwmeester trade to waivers.

Unless of course he's another Paul Byron special.

I think Cundari being labeled an "important" piece of that trade is more about being respectful to a new player coming into an organization than an honest description. He was pretty clearly the least important piece involved.

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

You can't risk losing what was said to be an important piece in the Bouwmeester trade to waivers.

Unless of course he's another Paul Byron special.

Just because Feaster said that he was an important piece during the JBO trade does not make him good. To me the JBO trade was not very good and Feaster used his mouth to sway fans that it was better than it actually was.


And yes he could be another "Byron special". I only see him as a bottom pairing d-man if he does make it, and i'm not sure he will make it.

[cannon7]

Cundari reminds me of Giordano. Giordano had an impressive stint with the Flames and then spent a year in Russia -- while this situation isn't exactly the same, I do think Cundari was impressive in his call-up last season and will get another opportunity this season. Especially with guys like Smith and Russell who have had injury trouble.

In the big picture, the Flames already have a lot of puck movers. And in the mordern game, you need more puck movers than shutdown types. But we also have a very undersized blueline and won't intimidate a team stocked with big forwards. Wideman, Giordano and Brodie are obviously in it for the long haul -- but we need guys to compliment them. I think that's a big reason why a raw guy like Kanzig is still around, they want to gauge where he tops out and determine whether he can be developed at the NHL level. Of course we didn't use Babchuk hardly at all last season, and he had all the size and reach our blueline lacked. Who knows what Hartley/Feaster are thinking...

[devo22]

Originally Posted by BigFlameDog

Curious question, can Monahan be sent down later in the year if it is deemed necessary? I know he can't go to Abby out of camp but if they keep him and he needs some time on the farm later can they do that?

he can go down at any time, but year one of his ELC will be burnt after game 9.

[Hockey_Ninja]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

You can't risk losing what was said to be an important piece in the Bouwmeester trade to waivers.

Unless of course he's another Paul Byron special.

Since when did we put Poirier on waivers?

[nik-]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

Sure but how many times has their been panic over someone going on waivers, only to see them clear.

St. Louis claiming him would be hilarious though.

[heep223]

Originally Posted by cannon7

Of course we didn't use Babchuk hardly at all last season, and he had all the size and reach our blueline lacked.

Thank god.

What you're saying is accurate but IMHO Babchuk is about as weak and meak as they come with pretty low hockey IQ. He does have a bomb though but he would definitely not fill that role.

Re: SOB, although he may stink in some areas (most haha) he fills a definite need on this fledgling team. Not only do I think he will make the team, but he will get more ice time than most believe for this reason alone. The guy will be tough to play against and when you think about the Cs in our new division that we previously didn't have to face as much (Thornton, Kopitar, Getzlaf) we at least need someone who will make them think twice about driving to the net. And also protect our weaker, smaller, young Cs down low in our end. He will be frustrating to watch at times, and will take penalties at times, but keep in mind that we're facing bigger, tougher, more skilled opposing centermen this year and we need someone to hack them in the laces occasionally

[theg69]

Originally Posted by cannon7

Cundari reminds me of Giordano. Giordano had an impressive stint with the Flames and then spent a year in Russia -- while this situation isn't exactly the same, I do think Cundari was impressive in his call-up last season and will get another opportunity this season. Especially with guys like Smith and Russell who have had injury trouble.

In the big picture, the Flames already have a lot of puck movers. And in the mordern game, you need more puck movers than shutdown types. But we also have a very undersized blueline and won't intimidate a team stocked with big forwards. Wideman, Giordano and Brodie are obviously in it for the long haul -- but we need guys to compliment them. I think that's a big reason why a raw guy like Kanzig is still around, they want to gauge where he tops out and determine whether he can be developed at the NHL level. Of course we didn't use Babchuk hardly at all last season, and he had all the size and reach our blueline lacked. Who knows what Hartley/Feaster are thinking...

I was with you until I read that line about Babchuk... he was terrible, slow, and other than putting up a few points under sheltered minutes when he was first traded here, he completely got what he deserved -> healthy scratched and out of the NHL.

Other than that I do agree with your point. Our d-corps is missing that key physical defenseman. That is why Kanzig is still being looked at and Sieloff being so highly touted.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by kyuss275

Just because Feaster said that he was an important piece during the JBO trade does not make him good. To me the JBO trade was not very good and Feaster used his mouth to sway fans that it was better than it actually was.


And yes he could be another "Byron special". I only see him as a bottom pairing d-man if he does make it, and i'm not sure he will make it.

What exactly wasn't good about it to you?

From my perspective, turning a top 2 defender that was too soft and didn't add enough offense or leadership (along with a mammoth contract) into Emile Poirier, Reto Berra, and Mark Cundari is a pretty decent haul. Quite frankly, it's better than what we got for Iginla and he was worth much more.

Poirier already looks like he might make the team next year in a 2nd/3rd line RWer role. Berra might make this team out of camp as the backup or 1B and maybe even the starter if he impresses. Cundari is a solid depth defenseman with good physicality despite his size, decent offensive instincts, and good tenacity and leadership. Those are 3 nice pieces to bring back for a guy that did more to hurt than help the Flames during his tenure. Even if Cundari never plays more than 6th/7th d-man or AHL call up minutes, it's still a solid deal to increase the overall talent pool in the organization.

If nothing else, including Berra was the best part of the deal because he's an immediate option to play NHL games in case Ramo falters or MacDonald can't hack it on a regular basis. Ortio only recently turned heads within the management group, and Brossoit was almost always going to start in the minors.

Again, getting all that back for an overpaid, soft, minute-eating defenseman, who has all the tools but never puts it together, is an impressive haul in my opinion.

[cannon7]

Originally Posted by theg69

I was with you until I read that line about Babchuk... he was terrible, slow, and other than putting up a few points under sheltered minutes when he was first traded here, he completely got what he deserved -> healthy scratched and out of the NHL.

Other than that I do agree with your point. Our d-corps is missing that key physical defenseman. That is why Kanzig is still being looked at and Sieloff being so highly touted.

While Babchuk's play didn't blow me away, it is still hard to evaluate him because he was coming off injuries and only getting 5-6 before being locked in the press box.

He was very soft for a 6'5" guy. But with SOB, you're just trading a heavy shot for boneheaded penalties. Neither of them are very good in their own zone. SOB hasn't been effective since his time with the Ducks, he's basically the Marchment 2.0.

My point wasn't that Babchuk was great. My point was that maybe the reason a guy like Kanzig gets a longer look is that the coaching/management team are concerned with their lack of size on the blueline.

[Tinordi]

Kanzig isn't even ready to brew the coffee

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by BigFlameDog

Curious question, can Monahan be sent down later in the year if it is deemed necessary? I know he can't go to Abby out of camp but if they keep him and he needs some time on the farm later can they do that?

Monahan could go down to Abbotsford for a conditioning stint only, i.e.: if he was injured while playing in Calgary. He otherwise cannot be assigned to the Heat for any reason, and would have to go back to Ottawa.

[Gary83]

Originally Posted by Tinordi

Kanzig isn't even ready to brew the coffee

Yeah, because he's crushing a bag full of coffee beans with one hand.

[Goodlad]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Monahan could go down to Abbotsford for a conditioning stint only, i.e.: if he was injured while playing in Calgary. He otherwise cannot be assigned to the Heat for any reason, and would have to go back to Ottawa.

And would still have a year burned off his ELC if he plays 10+ games. He's either up for 9-or-less, or he's up for the rest of the season I'd imagine.

[Freeway]

Yeah, it's either NHL or OHL for Monahan. Not AHL eligible under NHL/CHL agreement.

[OzSome]

Not a surprise that Hanowski got sent down to Abby. I thought he's a bit slow in reacting to NHL standard. I think spending time in Abby will do him some goods. I am sure he will be one of the first call-ups. D Mark Cundari I am bit surprised. I thought he might be a good addition to Flames lineup this season but I guess other D played better. I am still hoping for John Ramage to make the team. Maybe Tyler Wotherspoon as well. Poirer is bound to go back to junior anyways so I am okay with it. It doesn't matter how long he stays in the training camp for the big team, Calgary just wants him to get a taste of the NHL speed. I am sure the Flames brass are happy with they saw. Can't wait to see this guy in Flames uniform one day.

[PeteMoss]

Originally Posted by Trailer Fire

Too bad he probably won't be able to beat anyone down now.

He's not a big fighter... just ends up getting into some fights because he drills guys and someone comes jumping in to save their guy.

[Trailer Fire]

Originally Posted by PeteMoss

He's not a big fighter... just ends up getting into some fights because he drills guys and someone comes jumping in to save their guy.

He may not seek out fights, but he is a fighter. No doubt. I've seen maybe 4 or 5 of his fights, and he won all of them.