What becomes of Cervenka?

[Alberta_Beef]

I would like to give Cervenka another chance, but I think to do so someone has to move. We already have Tanguay, Cammalleri, Hudler, Stempniak, Baertschi & Glencross as top 9 wingers ahead of him. I would also prefer Horak in the top 9 before Cervenka, then I also want a top 9 winger that is tough to play against. So at minimum 2 guys would need to be moved IMO for this to make sense.

Signing him to trade him at the deadline only works as asset management if he will get playing time.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by Alberta_Beef

I would like to give Cervenka another chance, but I think to do so someone has to move. We already have Tanguay, Cammalleri, Hudler, Stempniak, Baertschi & Glencross as top 9 wingers ahead of him. I would also prefer Horak in the top 9 before Cervenka, then I also want a top 9 winger that is tough to play against. So at minimum 2 guys would need to be moved IMO for this to make sense.

Signing him to trade him at the deadline only works as asset management if he will get playing time.

I really hope that at most, only 2 of Tanguay, Cammalleri, Hudler, Stempniak and Glencross are on the roster next year. Whether it be for Cervenka or others, I hope lots more changes are coming to this roster.

[LouCypher]

He's ok, Im just not so sure that he wont be surpassed by our younger players before to long. Maybe he will be better adjusted and in better condition. To many of the similar types of players here though to really commit to much to him. They could offer 1-2 years tops, not a huge loss if he goes elsewhere.

[browna]

If Hartley's back, I doubt Cervenka will be. Doesn't seem as if Hartley wants anything to do with him this past season. Feaster made it pretty clear through lawyer speak last night with Roger Millions that Cervenka isn't going to be part of the club next year.

[schteve_d]

I would like to see him back on a one year deal. He has shown some flashes and that's from a guy who really didn't expect to be here from what I can tell. He's had a shortened season to adjust and see what it all takes - I predict we see a pretty decent Cervenka next season - the hands and offensive IQ are there. Perhaps some work on the conditioning and a little more defensive awareness makes him our diamond in the rough. I see it worth the shot with very little risk.

[Fire]

Originally Posted by dammage79

My guess is two of those guys will be traded in the off season.

1. Cammalleri
- Unlikely to be traded before start of season with his salary. If the Flames don't extend his contract he will be traded at the deadline.

2. Tanguay
- Contract length will not make him a valuable trade asset. Probably better for the Flames to keep him in that case.

3. Hudler
- Not going anywhere.

4. Glencross
- NMC and according to Feaster an untouchable.

5. Stempniak
- This is the only guy I can see being traded during the summer even though I think he could be a good mentor for the young players. Stempniak > Cervenka

6. Baertschi
- Not going anywhere.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by Alberta_Beef

I would like to give Cervenka another chance, but I think to do so someone has to move. We already have Tanguay, Cammalleri, Hudler, Stempniak, Baertschi & Glencross as top 9 wingers ahead of him. I would also prefer Horak in the top 9 before Cervenka, then I also want a top 9 winger that is tough to play against. So at minimum 2 guys would need to be moved IMO for this to make sense.

Signing him to trade him at the deadline only works as asset management if he will get playing time.

Does nobody think Backlund will be re-signed? Backs has been our best forward in the last 2-3 weeks and if he continues to progress, could be a 1B/2nd line center for this team going forward. To me the lineup already looks like this for the start of next season:

Tanguay-Backlund-Cammalleri
Baertschi-Horak-Hudler
Glencross-Stajan-Stempniak
McGrattan/Bouma-Reinhart-Jackman

To me that starting lineup is pretty much set and I don't see Cervenka improving on anyone position-wise. I like his skill, but he has too many holes in his game. He's worth spending some time on, but I don't think he'll have the patience to be "developed" in North America (meaning he might have to work on some things in Abbotsford for part of the season). If you decide to start trading veterans in the off-season, then you bring him back on a two year deal and see what he can turn into in that period. Otherwise, unfortunately, you say "good luck and good night".

[indes]

I like Cervenka, I'm not really too sure why but I would really like to see him have a solid off season and come back ready for next year. That being said I really don't think he comes back with the way he was handled, barring there was an injury or a bad lack of conditioning where he understood and respected the reasons of his little ice time.

[FlamesAddiction]

I would re-sign him. He did reasonably well for a rookie used to playing in Europe and limited ice-time.

[Madrox]

Originally Posted by Cali Flames Fan

Does nobody think Backlund will be re-signed?

He said wingers. Backs is obviously slotting in in the middle.

[StrykerSteve]

NHLFlames Cervenka has suffered a grade one MCL sprain & will not return tonight. #CGYCHI

[tvp2003]

I was a big fan of this signing and it certainly has been a disappointing rookie season. I'd say it's too early to write him off, but who knows if he even wants to stay here.

He has 17 points in 38 games -- equals 36 points in an 82 game season. However, in 6 games he played less than 9 minutes (including two where he only played 6 shifts total), and who knows how many games he was on the fourth line. That was also with little to no PP time.

I think one of the problems is that Hartley wanted an active, high energy, fast skating team. That was Cervenka's biggest struggle this season, so it's no surprise he got stapled to the bench for a lot of those games. I still think he has potential, but if he can't play the system the Hartley wants to implement, it's like putting the proverbial round peg into a square hole...

[bucksmasher]

Originally Posted by tvp2003

I was a big fan of this signing and it certainly has been a disappointing rookie season. I'd say it's too early to write him off, but who knows if he even wants to stay here.

He has 17 points in 38 games -- equals 36 points in an 82 game season. However, in 6 games he played less than 9 minutes (including two where he only played 6 shifts total), and who knows how many games he was on the fourth line. That was also with little to no PP time.

I think one of the problems is that Hartley wanted an active, high energy, fast skating team. That was Cervenka's biggest struggle this season, so it's no surprise he got stapled to the bench for a lot of those games. I still think he has potential, but if he can't play the system the Hartley wants to implement, it's like putting the proverbial round peg into a square hole...

Hopefully someone can teach him some defense this summer. I think he lacks heart and grit though and those can't be taught. If he finds a spot on a line with Hudler and Stajan then whatever, as long as he quits leaning out of the blue line.

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by Fire

1. Cammalleri
- Unlikely to be traded before start of season with his salary. If the Flames don't extend his contract he will be traded at the deadline.

2. Tanguay
- Contract length will not make him a valuable trade asset. Probably better for the Flames to keep him in that case.

3. Hudler
- Not going anywhere.

4. Glencross
- NMC and according to Feaster an untouchable.

5. Stempniak
- This is the only guy I can see being traded during the summer even though I think he could be a good mentor for the young players. Stempniak > Cervenka

6. Baertschi
- Not going anywhere.

Disagree on Tanguay, is they do move him it won't be for value. It will be to open up a roster spot for a younger player. Stempniak and Stajan are also the ones I can see being traded. I would like Stempniak too if he stayed but it's all about the opening of roster spots for the young guys.

[Roof-Daddy]

Maybe the Flames will be able to trade Tanguay to whatever team signs Iggy.

Ottawa has around $22 million in cap space for next year, and are a young playoff team on the verge of contending. Plus most of their key contributors are returning, they could easily afford to sign Iggy AND add Tanguay with plenty of space to spare.

[Calgary4LIfe]

I would like to see him re-sign on the Flames. I doubt he will though.

He is offensively good enough to help shoulder the load. It also frees up some other wingers for trades to balance out the rest of the roster or gain some futures (including trading Cervenka himself - especially if he ends up having a pretty good season offensively which he just might considering all the adversity he has had this season).

If the Flames do not re-sign him, it isn't a huge loss though. I was really excited, and I actually do enjoy watching him play.

[Yoho]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

Maybe the Flames will be able to trade Tanguay to whatever team signs Iggy.

Ottawa has around $22 million in cap space for next year, and are a young playoff team on the verge of contending. Plus most of their key contributors are returning, they could easily afford to sign Iggy AND add Tanguay with plenty of space to spare.

That is amazing..

[expatflame]

Give him another 1 year deal...he's cheap and the UFA market is pretty sparse.

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by Cali Flames Fan

Does nobody think Backlund will be re-signed? Backs has been our best forward in the last 2-3 weeks and if he continues to progress, could be a 1B/2nd line center for this team going forward. To me the lineup already looks like this for the start of next season:

Tanguay-Backlund-Cammalleri
Baertschi-Horak-Hudler
Glencross-Stajan-Stempniak
McGrattan/Bouma-Reinhart-Jackman

To me that starting lineup is pretty much set and I don't see Cervenka improving on anyone position-wise. I like his skill, but he has too many holes in his game. He's worth spending some time on, but I don't think he'll have the patience to be "developed" in North America (meaning he might have to work on some things in Abbotsford for part of the season). If you decide to start trading veterans in the off-season, then you bring him back on a two year deal and see what he can turn into in that period. Otherwise, unfortunately, you say "good luck and good night".

I was talking about wingers, which is also where I feel Horak should play. I think our top 3 centers next year will be Stajan, Backlund and either a UFA, 2013 draft pick or Reinhart.

[ma-skis.com]

I'd be more concerned about whether or not cervenka wants to be with the flames again, I wouldn't be surprised if there was another team interested in him that had a more fitting style to his play.

sometimes I wonder what the appeal of the NHL has on average professional skilled european players. Is playing against the best the most important, or just playing more?