[Rumour] Garrioch: Flames make pitch for Spezza. UPD: Treliving denies offer

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

Garrioch is barely half a step above Eklund.

I was going to post the same. However if there is any remote truth to this it's a fair offer as Spezza is by far the best player in the deal and while Backlund had a nice season last year it doesn't come close to what Spezza has accomplished. That said I just can't see why he would accept a deal to the Flames given their situation and his age.

Also what's with all these Canadian boys that would rather not play in their country? Granted most Canadian teams are terrible but really if you can't handle the pressure of playing in a Canadian market you are pretty soft. Yeah Toronto and Montreal are maybe a little extreme but players get treated very well in Calgary for example. There's something kind of sad about a guy that would rather go to places like Florida so they can disappear and collect their millions than play in a city where fans actually care about hockey. When do you ever hear of players in MLB that wouldn't relish the opportunity to play for the Yankees? Never as most of them dream about it. Yet some Canadian boys can't handle the pressure playing in Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver, or Winnipeg? Weak.

[EldrickOnIce]

Originally Posted by theoforever

Speeding up the rebuild will hurt Flames in the long run.
There has been a lot of talk from Conny about rebuilding the right way and not rushing anything. Kind of hope they stay true to that.

It makes no difference if you acquire 31 year olds - I have nothing against 'speeding up' by acquiring talent, it's giving up Backlund that would concern me.
The Oilers didn't need Stoll. He was only a 3rd line centre too.

[EldrickOnIce]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Yet some Canadian boys can't handle the pressure playing in Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver, or Winnipeg? Weak.

Those are the ones 'we' don't want either - so it's all good.

[Ashasx]

Did management not say we lack 21-25 aged impact forwards? Didn't Treliving say he wouldn't sacrifice the future for shirt term gain?

[Machiavelli]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

I was going to post the same. However if there is any remote truth to this it's a fair offer as Spezza is by far the best player in the deal and while Backlund had a nice season last year it doesn't come close to what Spezza has accomplished. That said I just can't see why he would accept a deal to the Flames given their situation and his age.

Also what's with all these Canadian boys that would rather not play in their country? Granted most Canadian teams are terrible but really if you can't handle the pressure of playing in a Canadian market you are pretty soft. Yeah Toronto and Montreal are maybe a little extreme but players get treated very well in Calgary for example. There's something kind of sad about a guy that would rather go to places like Florida so they can disappear and collect their millions than play in a city where fans actually care about hockey. When do you ever hear of players in MLB that wouldn't relish the opportunity to play for the Yankees? Never as most of them dream about it. Yet some Canadian boys can't handle the pressure playing in Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver, or Winnipeg? Weak.

I would generally agree with you, but I have a soft spot for Spezza; he has played in Canada for nearly his entire professional career. Maybe wanting a change isn't such a terrible thing.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Machiavelli

I would generally agree with you, but I have a soft spot for Spezza; he has played in Canada for nearly his entire professional career. Maybe wanting a change isn't such a terrible thing.

Well the only thing I can say to that is if a player truly wants to win a cup then he probably shouldn't consider a Canadian team. I don't mind Spezza as well but he's only got another year left on his deal so it's not like a year in Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, etc is a long term jail sentence.

[Stanathan]

Late to the party, but I think it's Bawl Shat

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

Did management not say we lack 21-25 aged impact forwards? Didn't Treliving say he wouldn't sacrifice the future for shirt term gain?

The rumor isn't that Treliving offered a 1st, Sven and Backlund for Spezza, the rumor is he offered Hudler, Wideman, Backlund and a 2nd or 3rd for Spezza.

[Completely]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

The rumor isn't that Treliving offered a 1st, Sven and Backlund for Spezza, the rumor is he offered Hudler, Wideman, Backlund and a 2nd or 3rd for Spezza.

Not sure which team is trying to tank.

[Enoch Root]

No interest in Spezza and I think that rumour is bunk (and don't like it)

But I believe that Backlund is traded within a year.

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

The rumor isn't that Treliving offered a 1st, Sven and Backlund for Spezza, the rumor is he offered Hudler, Wideman, Backlund and a 2nd or 3rd for Spezza.

No kidding. I don't want to acquire Spezza but a healthy Spezza potentially outscores Hudler/Backlund combined and some people want Wideman bought out anyways. A true #1 centre is difficult to obtain so the cost of a 2nd line winger, 3rd line centre, overpaid #4 offensive defenseman and a pick is not an obscene amount like some are suggesting. It is a classic quantity for quality deal.

I bet these same people complaining hated the Phaneuf deal where the return was a younger 2nd line centre, 2nd/3rd line winger, #4 defenseman and a 4th liner.

Then again it is Garrioch so I take it about as seriously as an Eklund rumour, but I will pretend for a second that Bruce isn't just trying to manufacture a rumour and point out that we also don't know the finer details and never do until a trade is made.

Could there be a conditional pick coming to the Flames if Spezza doesn't re-sign?
Would it be conditional on Spezza agreeing to a contract?
Is there another player/prospect coming to the Flames as well?

[BloodFetish]

I would rather have Hudler, Backlund, possibly Wideman, and our 2nd or 3rd round pick.

[djsFlames]

A short shift at work and I miss this? Damn.

What a weird move. Spezza is a top 10 center in the league, but his reasoning for leaving scares me. Also he won't be nearly as useful in 4-5 years when we're competitive. I actually would trade Hudler and Wideman and a 2nd for him, seeing as they're all the same age (huge upgrade), but not Backlund. Backs is an integral part of the future down the middle. Why give him up for a 30 year old who doesn't like taking accountability for losses. Not good for a mentor role player on the team, at least.

If we're just swapping veterans though then there's no way you don't do it. Spezza is better than every vet forward on the team.

[FBI]

Yes I hated the Phaneuf deal and still do. I remember getting a text from a friend saying Flames Trade! and I was like "don't be phaneuf, don't be phaneuf, don't be phaneuf" and then it WAS and for that load of crap return was like a kick to the nuts.

Originally Posted by Alberta_Beef

No kidding. I don't want to acquire Spezza but a healthy Spezza potentially outscores Hudler/Backlund combined and some people want Wideman bought out anyways. A true #1 centre is difficult to obtain so the cost of a 2nd line winger, 3rd line centre, overpaid #4 offensive defenseman and a pick is not an obscene amount like some are suggesting. It is a classic quantity for quality deal.

I bet these same people complaining hated the Phaneuf deal where the return was a younger 2nd line centre, 2nd/3rd line winger, #4 defenseman and a 4th liner.

Then again it is Garrioch so I take it about as seriously as an Eklund rumour, but I will pretend for a second that Bruce isn't just trying to manufacture a rumour and point out that we also don't know the finer details and never do until a trade is made.

Could there be a conditional pick coming to the Flames if Spezza doesn't re-sign?
Would it be conditional on Spezza agreeing to a contract?
Is there another player/prospect coming to the Flames as well?

[FlamesAddiction]

First of all, I don't think this rumour is true, or that even if it is, that Spezza will accept the trade.

If he did though, we would actually have a true #1 centre for this first time in eons. Asset-wise, I think we would come out ahead. I like the idea of buying low.

Having said that, if he didn't like being "the guy" in Ottawa, he will hate playing for the current edition of the Flames barring some other type of massive acquisition. Without Hudler, our wing is pretty hurting.

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by FBI

Yes I hated the Phaneuf deal and still do. I remember getting a text from a friend saying Flames Trade! and I was like "don't be phaneuf, don't be phaneuf, don't be phaneuf" and then it WAS and for that load of crap return was like a kick to the nuts.

so, what you are saying is you like the rumoured Spezza offer then? Because we would be on the opposite side this time and it would be Sens fans thinking they are getting the crap return.

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

First of all, I don't think this rumour is true, or that even if it is, that Spezza will accept the trade.

If he did though, we would actually have a true #1 centre for this first time in eons. Asset-wise, I think we would come out ahead. I like the idea of buying low.

Having said that, if he didn't like being "the guy" in Ottawa, he will hate playing for the current edition of the Flames barring some other type of massive acquisition. Without Hudler, our wing is pretty hurting.

I thought I should add this perspective.

The source of this rumour is the same source saying Spezza is tired of being blamed for losses. So likely neither are that accurate.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Also what's with all these Canadian boys that would rather not play in their country? Granted most Canadian teams are terrible but really if you can't handle the pressure of playing in a Canadian market you are pretty soft. Yeah Toronto and Montreal are maybe a little extreme but players get treated very well in Calgary for example. There's something kind of sad about a guy that would rather go to places like Florida so they can disappear and collect their millions than play in a city where fans actually care about hockey. When do you ever hear of players in MLB that wouldn't relish the opportunity to play for the Yankees? Never as most of them dream about it. Yet some Canadian boys can't handle the pressure playing in Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver, or Winnipeg? Weak.

1) Players want to play in Toronto and Montreal for the same reason baseball players want to play for the Yankees and Red Sox, tradition. The rest of the Canadian teams are markedly different. Those two teams are mentioned as unknown, but unlikely due to being in the same division as the senators.
2) Players aren't making decisions on a bubble. There's family implications, tax implications and lifestyle implications that all play a role.
3) Spezza has been there and done that with a small Canadian market and wants something different


I don't see it as sad at all, if likely be the same. These types of decisions never boil down to "Where can I be anonymous?". That's way too simplistic
2)

[Read Only]

The trade makes little sense from either side (which is likely why it doesn't get done).

The Sens manage to get worse short term while not adding much, if anything depending on the pick, long term. The Flames don't really have much use for Spezza, especially if he moves on after his contract is done.

[TheDebaser]

Originally Posted by OzSome

I don't get this trading someone while the guy is at peak of his career so we can get some good return. Then when are we be able to start competing if we keep trading players at peak. That means we will keep getting prospect players over and over. If Boston, Chicago or LA have that kind of attitude, we won't be seeing Lucic or Rask in Boston, Toews or Kane in Chicago or Anzi Kopitar in LA.

The hope is that, and this is an extreme case, you could pull a deal like Raycroft for Rask. Selling an overrated asset for an underrated asset is almost always good management. The trick of it is to accurately assess assets and to not get burned in the process.

I just want to add that I think Backlund is a warrior who has way more to show us. I think if he keeps his head on straight he could be a decent second liner in this league for a season or two. If we could move him for a similar young asset with a bit more size I wouldn't shed any tears though.