Should the Flames go out and trade for a defenceman?

[Bertuzzied]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

I probably wouldn't. Myer's isn't nearly good enough to make up for the build up the middle scenario.

Plus the Sabre's if they were going to trade Myers would be looking for a home run acquisition, any package would have to include a high first round pick.

No one will pay that after the Sabres gave him that contract!

[ricardodw]

The other Kelowna D-man that has to be at the bottom of his trade value is Luke Schenn,

He is playing 15 minutes/ game for the worst team in the league.

He is signed for 3 seasons at 3.6 M

Matt Read has 0 points in 8 games playing almost 20 minutes a game and is signed for 4 years after this year for 3.6M.

The Flyers have to be desperate for a shake up.

Butler and Stempniak and Horak for Read and Schenn.

Or even because he is at his all time high in trade value Hudler might be included.

Huldler and Butler for Read and Schenn.

Before you jump on me for trading Hudler who has been the Flames best player..... 1) will he play this well for an extended period, especially since Cammalleri will cut into his opportunities 2) will Hudler be part of the next Flames Playoff team..? he has 3 years left.

This is not a trade that the Flyers would even consider a month ago.

The Flyers must be getting close to the point that they need a major shake up---- like the Flames were when they traded Phanuef for Stajan.

[codynw]

Originally Posted by ricardodw

Butler and Stempniak and Horak for Read and Schenn.

Huldler and Butler for Read and Schenn.

Hudler is arguably the best player on the Flames. I doubt he's going anywhere. And Stempniak is one of the only RW on the team, so he's probably staying as well.

Stajan and Cammalleri are the two most likely vets to be traded IMO.

[GGG]

Chicago signed Brian Campbell to a ridiculous contract that he never lived up to but he still was a big part of their cup winning team. I would much follow that approach. Since we have cap space we should use that asset rather than give up our other assets (picks and prospects). To me this means waiting until the off season to overpay a defensemen to come here.

The key to signing the defensemen will be to structure the contract with large upfront payments so that even though the cap hit is high it becomes a very tradalbe contract in the future for when our cap space becomes limited. Money should not be an issue next off season when aquiring a defensemen we target. Find the guy, over pay him by 1 million a season and structure the contract so that in 3-4 years from now when our cap space becomes tighter he is actually a bargain in terms of Salary.

Our biggest asset that we aren't using right now is cap space. Just say no to giving up picks and prospects. If somone comes along and is offering up a Phaneuf type deal for Stephniak, Jackman, and Camilari you do it but no to trading anyone under 30.

[Goodlad]

Originally Posted by JobHopper

I believe that Curtis Glencross and Mikael Backlund can be replaced by players we have in Abbotsford. So those 2 guys would be my choices to trade and see if you can't get a Dman or even a better forward. They're good enough players to ge ta decent return from. Bouma pretty much replaces Backlund and he's already up here.

Wow, you've got a serious hate-on for Backlund

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by puckluck2

So we can't try to get better if we aren't making the playoffs? Thank god you're not the GM. You'd be the Kevin Lowe of the NHL. "Stay the course, next year is our year"!

Better immediately to go all in on a push for the 8th playoff spot or better in the coming years? Those are two entirely different plans that require completely different asset management. The "all-in for 8th spot" approach is the reason the Flames are in their current situation in the first place. The team has finally abandoned that flawed approach and is trying to build a team from within rather than trade picks/prospects for veteran players and quick fixes.

[Poe969]

lol if someone offers us a half eaten sandwitch for Jackman, you take it.

[puckluck2]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Better immediately to go all in on a push for the 8th playoff spot or better in the coming years? Those are two entirely different plans that require completely different asset management. The "all-in for 8th spot" approach is the reason the Flames are in their current situation in the first place. The team has finally abandoned that flawed approach and is trying to build a team from within rather than trade picks/prospects for veteran players and quick fixes.

Might want to actually argue what was said instead of using your imagination. Getting a shutdown guy is better for this team this season and in the long run. You have to give up assets to fill a need on your team. Look at the Oilers. They've got a lot of holes on defence yet the management is too stupid to fill them because they don't want to give up good offensive assets. That's not how you build a team.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by memphusk

If playoffs aren't always the goal, there is no point in icing a team. Rebuilding or not, the goal should always be the same.

I agree, but the years from now is still more important than right now

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by puckluck2

Might want to actually argue what was said instead of using your imagination. Getting a shutdown guy is better for this team this season and in the long run. You have to give up assets to fill a need on your team. Look at the Oilers. They've got a lot of holes on defence yet the management is too stupid to fill them because they don't want to give up good offensive assets. That's not how you build a team.

Most proven shutdown defensemen are in their late 20's to mid 30's. How is that guy going to help in a few years when Gaudreau, Piorier, etc are all in the lineup and the team is actively then trying to make strides up the standings? You are just typical of fans that don't have the patience for a proper rebuild making a thread like this 9 games into the season of a team that was projected by most to finish 30th overall. This is a case where you have to suck it up and take your medicine.

[Poe969]

Originally Posted by memphusk

If playoffs aren't always the goal, there is no point in icing a team. Rebuilding or not, the goal should always be the same.

I think that's the old way of things. For too long this team has always just wanted to make the playoffs. The goal should be the cup if you're going to go to extreme's... This teams goal should just be to grow and develop into a winner, if you put too much pressure on the team it might be bad. There should always be pressure to win but you have to temper expectations and then develop those.

In a few years, I don't want to go in saying "man I hope we make the playoffs" I want to be a lock for the playoffs and say "I hope we win the cup"

[Anduril]

There's still so much time and opportunity to fill these holes. The argument for the Oilers is because they've been too stupid to make those necessary moves within the last 4 years.

We're only 9 games in. Continue to build up our assets and trade from a position of strength to fill a need. Wait for the right player at the right cost.

[puckluck2]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Most proven shutdown defensemen are in their late 20's to mid 30's. How is that guy going to help in a few years when Gaudreau, Piorier, etc are all in the lineup and the team is actively then trying to make strides up the standings? You are just typical of fans that don't have the patience for a proper rebuild making a thread like this 9 games into the season of a team that was projected by most to finish 30th overall. This is a case where you have to suck it up and take your medicine.

You the man EE!

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by puckluck2

You the man EE!

Why make a thread where you ask a question only to belittle people for providing their opinion? Next time just make a thread titled "I Puckluck have determined that the Flames should go out and trade for a defenseman. Please no opinions or rebuttals."

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by puckluck2

Might want to actually argue what was said instead of using your imagination. Getting a shutdown guy is better for this team this season and in the long run. You have to give up assets to fill a need on your team. Look at the Oilers. They've got a lot of holes on defence yet the management is too stupid to fill them because they don't want to give up good offensive assets. That's not how you build a team.

I think we have soe good shutdown guys in the system though in Sieloff, Wortherspoon, Ramage, Breen, Kanzig. I don't think we need to give up a lot of assets for a shutdown guy today especially a guy like Martin who is 32. Years down the road we could be set with shutdown types based on those prospects mentioned. Outside of Brodie and Culkin we are not sitting pretty in terms of puck moving Dmen.

[19Yzerman19]

Same question as the goalie thread: What is the purpose of doing this? Is it to make the playoffs? The team is probably not going to make the playoffs either way. So why waste assets?

If the Flames are acquiring anything it should be futures.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

It's obvious to any fan of the game that the Flames defense group is substandard, but it's because we are lacking a true #1 and a decent bottom pairing. Giordano is a good #2 for any team, Wideman and Brodie are a great 3/4, and Russell is a solid, but undersized 3rd pairing guy that can handle 2nd pairing minutes.

Here's what we currently need:
1) An elite #1 shutdown/two-way defenseman.
2) A solid skating, intelligent, (physical?) shutdown 3rd pairing defenseman.

How do we get each one?:
1) Draft and develop. There is the off-chance of fleecing another team in desperation mode, but it would likely be for a young player that you still have to develop. There's an outside possibility of Wotherspoon developing into this player.
2) We have at least 3-4 of this player in our prospect pool. Ramage, Sieloff, Kanzig come to mind to fill that spot, and 2 of those players could arrive as soon as mid-season depending on how they develop.

Do we notice a trend here? Develop. This requires patience...

[Enoch Root]

Yes, the Flames would be better with another top 4 d-man in the mix. And yes, Giordano and Wideman are playing too many minutes right now.

However, there is no need to get panicky on the trade front.

Part of the problem so far - and it can't be stressed too much that we are 9 games in! - is that Breen and Sieloff both started the season injured. That really depleted the ranks. Also, the young guys - Sieloff, Wotherspoon, Ramage - need some games in Abby to get some pro experience.

Moving forward however, we should be in a position to rotate these guys in to get some fresh legs and to see how they develop. There is a decent chance that we have another NHLer in the Breen, Cundari, Sieloff, Wotherspoon, Ramage group. I would say that there is a very strong chance - quite possibly more than one.

However, it will take some time for that to play out. How be we let that happen and then see where we are? How about we at least give it a chance to start happening? How about 40 games, then we have our first re-evaluation?

[Tinordi]

The priority is to build a contender not to push for the playoffs 9 games into the rebuild.

[Dentoman]

No.