Wideman got a slight raise on his old contract after putting up 46 points not sure why everyone is so down on him. I think that hard right handed shot from the point is something the Flames have been missing for a long time
This has been dealt with in other threads so I will try to make it short but his no defense, soft play and inabilty to play against good competition raises issues with some. The fact the Flames are more than a one dimensional defenseman away from contending is also a reason that some fans aren't keen on overpaying for him.
This has been dealt with in other threads so I will try to make it short but his no defense, soft play and inabilty to play against good competition raises issues with some. The fact the Flames are more than a one dimensional defenseman away from contending is also a reason that some fans aren't keen on overpaying for him.
Keeping Wideman on the 2nd pairing with a guy like Gio could help mask some of those deficiencies. Gio isn't J-Bo when it comes to zone coverage and skating but he's no slouch either. And he's a hell of a lot more physical. Also make sure Wideman is on the 1st PP unit. If Hartley knows what he's doing and can give players proper zone starts, Wideman should be okay. But then who do you pair with Bouwmeester on the 1st pairing? Butler wasn't as horrible as some people think, but it's not ideal. I don't think Brodie is ready for that yet. Sarich, though tough and physical, is slow, with very limited offensive capabilities. Babchuk? (Kidding). Butler may be the best option at this point, unless Brodie has one hell of a camp.
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"Illusions Michael, tricks are something a wh*re does for money ....... or cocaine"
Anyone remember how many buy outs after the last lockout? Amonte, Mcarty, Turgeon, Hatcher, Holik?? Any ways not many. I don't think it will be a big deal at all.
And I hope the Flames stay away from anyone is bought out. If another team is willing to pay them to stay away, I'd look at that as a big red flag.
Keeping Wideman on the 2nd pairing with a guy like Gio could help mask some of those deficiencies. Gio isn't J-Bo when it comes to zone coverage and skating but he's no slouch either. And he's a hell of a lot more physical. Also make sure Wideman is on the 1st PP unit. If Hartley knows what he's doing and can give players proper zone starts, Wideman should be okay. But then who do you pair with Bouwmeester on the 1st pairing? Butler wasn't as horrible as some people think, but it's not ideal. I don't think Brodie is ready for that yet. Sarich, though tough and physical, is slow, with very limited offensive capabilities. Babchuk? (Kidding). Butler may be the best option at this point, unless Brodie has one hell of a camp.
That is my problem right there.
I think Gio-Bouw would be a great first pair but then you have nobody to mask the defensive issues of Butler or Wideman. Moving one of those dopes up the first pair means all that Bouw is doing is the same thing as last year and having to do everything for his partner.
I like the idea of adding a defenseman for the Flames but Wideman was a bad choice as they needed a top 4 steady guy that could either allow Bouw not to worry as much about his own zone or better allow that guy to play with Brodie so the Gio-Bouw pair could go as the top unit.
I think a Gio-Bouw top PP unit works with Smith-Brodie on the second unit so a steady was what was needed. Now like the first line center easier said than done to get in FA.
I hate to say it based on who he is playing for but a Dan Hamhuis would have been a perfect addition for the Flames this year.
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I think Gio-Bouw would be a great first pair but then you have nobody to mask the defensive issues of Butler or Wideman. Moving one of those dopes up the first pair means all that Bouw is doing is the same thing as last year and having to do everything for his partner.
I like the idea of adding a defenseman for the Flames but Wideman was a bad choice as they needed a top 4 steady guy that could either allow Bouw not to worry as much about his own zone or better allow that guy to play with Brodie so the Gio-Bouw pair could go as the top unit.
I think a Gio-Bouw top PP unit works with Smith-Brodie on the second unit so a steady was what was needed. Now like the first line center easier said than done to get in FA.
I hate to say it based on who he is playing for but a Dan Hamhuis would have been a perfect addition for the Flames this year.
Can't disagree with any of that, except the PP units. You have to have Wideman one them as that is one of his strengths. He definitely needs to be there ahead of Smith or Brodie. I doubt Hartley will put Tangs on the point like Sutter so PP pairings should be JBo-Gio, Wideman-and one of Babchuk (if he is utilized properly), or Brodie.
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Keeping Wideman on the 2nd pairing with a guy like Gio could help mask some of those deficiencies. Gio isn't J-Bo when it comes to zone coverage and skating but he's no slouch either. And he's a hell of a lot more physical. Also make sure Wideman is on the 1st PP unit. If Hartley knows what he's doing and can give players proper zone starts, Wideman should be okay. But then who do you pair with Bouwmeester on the 1st pairing? Butler wasn't as horrible as some people think, but it's not ideal. I don't think Brodie is ready for that yet. Sarich, though tough and physical, is slow, with very limited offensive capabilities. Babchuk? (Kidding). Butler may be the best option at this point, unless Brodie has one hell of a camp.
I think if you are spending $5 million bucks, you want him on your top pairing.
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Can't disagree with any of that, except the PP units. You have to have Wideman one them as that is one of his strengths. He definitely needs to be there ahead of Smith or Brodie. I doubt Hartley will put Tangs on the point like Sutter so PP pairings should be JBo-Gio, Wideman-and one of Babchuk (if he is utilized properly), or Brodie.
My PP units were based on Wideman not being on the team.
Obviously if he is there he has to be on the top unit as that is basically all he brings.
I don't think Wideman is as soft or as slow as he is made out to be by certain posters. He is always on pace for 100+ hits, which its not Sarich physical it does put him in the same range as guys like Bryan Allen, Chris Phillips, and Bryce Salvador. Guys that are not known as physical beasts but are still physical.
A few Wideman hits:
On Lucic
On JVR
On Stajan
On Westgarth
Soft players try and avoid hits, Wideman on the other hand will go after the hit. He is not soft.
I think Wideman will be fine paired with Bouwmeester to be honest. He is more physical than Butler and has more experience playing against top flight forwards than Butler. If not pair up Wideman with Butler on the 2nd pairing so the competition against them is slightly lower.
But where Wideman will help us is the PP. Our PP has sucked IMO mostly because all of our weapons are wingers. Wideman changes that. We now have the threat of the bomb from the point and defenders have to play Wideman like he will shoot every time he touches the puck. This will open up passing lanes and create more openings for Cammalleri and Iginla.
Last edited by Alberta_Beef; 01-08-2013 at 01:20 AM.
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I don't believe you can bury guys in the minors any more for cap savings?
I know, but back when the Flames had Kotalik they could have buried him in the minors. I'm just saying the owners would not be willing to throw millions of dollars down the drain to buyout Wideman.
He has a no trade contract and all of the other high spending teams... will be forced to dump salary. There will be no viable trading partner for a year of Jaybo at 6.68 M.
The rest of the league will be saying once the Flames buy him out they could sign him at 3 M. .....
