Adding Size/Grit To The Flames Top Six/Nine Forwards This Off-Season

[FAN]

I would be interested in taking a gamble on a player like Nathan Horton but the team will probably have to make a huge offer like a 6 year offer that nobody is willing to make. I see teams shying off and refusing to give Horton term and Horton probably wants security. So if the Flames are willing to take a gamble, I think Horton can be had for a decent cap hit but for a longer term.

I think Bickell will command a lot as a UFA and I don't think he's not good enough to overpay for him. Clarkson will not be worth the money so forget about him. I think Stalberg is a viable choice. He's probably looking for a home in the NHL and a chance to play. I can see a 3-4 year deal with some sort of NTC as attractive to a player like Stalberg or even a 2 year deal.

I don't see Ryan Clowe coming here unless we give him that 6 year contract he wants. I think he really wants to be out east with a chance to win. Still, it's been speculated that he wants something like a 6 year extension. I don't think he's what the team needs right now.

No to Penner.

As for trades, except for Lucic, none of them really interest me. Guys like Hartnell and Umberger just doesn't make much sense. They will be 31 and have many years left. Not what this team needs. Malone is too injury prone to help lead the locker room. Heatley has one year left on his contract. No point taking him off Minny's hands.

[Iceman90]

We discussed this on Fireside Chat this week (Episode 13). Have a listen if you want to hear our thoughts.

I think we need more girt for sure, and I am hoping we can have our kids step up and play a grittier game next year so we don't need to bring in all the grit via UFA.

[VladtheImpaler]

Here is my thought, and I am only half-joking...
Since we are not even playoff contenders, load up with goons and agitators and fill the bottom 2 lines with them (plus sneak a Clowe into the top 6). Sure, we'll get beat, but it will be entertaining and teams will have the bejesus scared out of them coming in here. Make it the Macleod Trail Bullies - that's a good environment for the young kids (much better than the current snowhite and 7 dwarves line-up anyhow). I sure liked having Oliwa/Simon + Niemenen here in 2004. Something to keep the fans entertained for 82 otherwise miserable games...

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by VladtheImpaler

Here is my thought, and I am only half-joking...
Since we are not even playoff contenders, load up with goons and agitators and fill the bottom 2 lines with them (plus sneak a Clowe into the top 6). Sure, we'll get beat, but it will be entertaining and teams will have the bejesus scared out of them coming in here. Make it the Macleod Trail Bullies - that's a good environment for the young kids (much better than the current snowhite and 7 dwarves line-up anyhow). I sure liked having Oliwa/Simon + Niemenen here in 2004. Something to keep the fans entertained for 82 otherwise miserable games...

And you have to protect the kids.

I would rather watch guys like MacGrattan lose but bust their butts than guys like Tanguay floating around moodily

[FAN]

Originally Posted by VladtheImpaler

Here is my thought, and I am only half-joking...
Since we are not even playoff contenders, load up with goons and agitators and fill the bottom 2 lines with them (plus sneak a Clowe into the top 6). Sure, we'll get beat, but it will be entertaining and teams will have the bejesus scared out of them coming in here. Make it the Macleod Trail Bullies - that's a good environment for the young kids (much better than the current snowhite and 7 dwarves line-up anyhow). I sure liked having Oliwa/Simon + Niemenen here in 2004. Something to keep the fans entertained for 82 otherwise miserable games...

Hartley will probably love that. Hartley did develop a reputation of being a dirty coach in Atlanta.

[H2SO4(aq)]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

And you have to protect the kids.

I would rather watch guys like MacGrattan lose but bust their butts then guys like Tanguay floating around moodily

Grats should be kept. He doesnt need to play all 82, but he is a good locker room guy, works hard, and protects everyone out there. keep him as a 13-14 forward.

[Miniac]

Originally Posted by FlameZilla

Yeah, for sure. If we only ditch one though I vote Tanguay. That Cammy contract has to be near impossible to move, and I think he has a decent attitude for the young guys to emulate.

Next trade deadline.

[josef]

if he become´s a ufa, flames should sign david clarkson
that would make me really happy

[Husky]

Originally Posted by Goodlad

Surprised David Clarkson didn't make that list. At 29 I don't think he's post-apex yet, although if he was signed long term he would likely be by the end of the contract. Think he would be a good signing, especially since he plays RW

Pass. The guy started red hot but has been a did for last 30 games.

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by Husky

Pass. The guy started red hot but has been a did for last 30 games.

He is exactly the kind of guy we can afford to go after on a shorter term deal. If he turns it around great, then we try and keep him for longer, if not then he fills a hole while we rebuild.

[Hatter]

We have all the money. Offer Clarkson 2 years and 11 million bucks. Even if he's not scoring he affects the game. The Flames need more players like that.

[Husky]

Much prefer the flames add size and youth. Roll the dice on a guy like Guillaume Latendresse .

[ricardodw]

Love this thread.


There are more soft forwards that need to be moved to make spots for bigger more competitive players.


We have to recognize that the Flames (or any other successful NHL team) can only carry 2 or 3 Patrick Kane/ Martin St. Louis / Paul Kariya players...... A team that had these 3 players would become less competitive if they added Cammelleri and Tanguay.


The Flames need to recognize that these 1 of these 3 players is Baertschi.

The others competing for the other 2 possible spots are Hudler, Cammalleri, Tanguay, Cervenka (who just has to be let go).

Backlund, Stajan and Stempniak and Horak are physically neutral.... They play hard enough that they don't scream out the need for someone to protect them, but they do not play anywhere near tough enough to protect Baertschi.

One or 2 of them has to go....

The original poster did not address the fact that the Flames are top heavy in skilled non-physical defenseman.

Sarich extends protection.

Gio and Wideman are Neutral

Brodie, Butler and Smith need protection.

Sarich is way post-Apex and has to be considered a 40 game d-man in an 82 game schedule.


The Flames need to get 2.5 more d-men that extend protection.

That means that 2 (at the very least one) of Butler, Brodie or Smith has to go.... it is not enough to have them split games with Sarich. The 7/8 D-man has to be at least as tough as Sarich ..... Brodie is worth protecting

The Flames need someone in the top-4 playing 20 minutes a game protecting Brodie


Forwards in the top 9

2 soft skilled guys - Hudler and Baertschi
4 guys that provide protection (Glencross, UFA1, UFA2, Reinhardt/Hanowski/jackman/Bouma)
3 guys that play hard enough to protect themselves: Backlund, and 2 of Stajan, Stempniak, Horak, First round draft pick

The 4th line is Mcgratton plus losers of the top 9 protection players

On defense:

Gio- Wideman
Brodie - UFA1
Sarich - UFA2 Regehr/Hannan/Douglas Murray

7/8 dman Butler or Smith and Cunardi/Sarich