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

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Yes, IF there is an extension. If not, just a silly proposition. I don't believe Garioch at all. Doesn't make sense for either side, nor Spezza.

[madmike]

This had better be false. It makes absolutely no sense for the Flames.

[dammage79]

We seen it when the Flames Acquired Wideman and we could see it now, The trade goes through once the team negotiates an extension or nothing happens at all. All it takes is for Murray to give the Flames permission to speak to his player.

I'll also cross reference the Regher to Buffalo trade as well where Feaster granted the Sabres permission to have talks with Reggie before a deal could be done, IIRC, he wasn't really keen on waiving his NTC until Pegula and Ruff and Regier brought him to BUffalo and sold him on the team and area.

[bubbsy]

I don't like the fact that backlund is rumoured in the deal.... Otherwise I would be ok.

but why are the flames in the market for a 30+ center?

[UKflames]

Originally Posted by Alberta_Beef

How does it go against everything? There are no high picks, prospects or young NHLers (I do not consider 25 with 5 years experience to be young) in the supposed offer. We also do not know all the details, for all we know that offer was conditional on Spezza agreeing to an extension. It is not a deal that sells the future for the present and has potential to help now and into the future.

Not knowing all of the details hasn't stopped anyone complaining about management decisions before.

Whilst at 25 Backlund may not be young, for a hockey player at least, he is one of the better prospects that we have developed ourselves and just as he is starting to hit his peak we want to send him off into the sunset for an even older player that will more than likely be gone at seasons end, leaving us with nothing but memories and a crappy draft pick in the 9-10 range.

I know it is a rumour but if this is the direction we are taking I'm not impressed.

[madmike]

Originally Posted by UKflames

Not knowing all of the details hasn't stopped anyone complaining about management decisions before.

Whilst at 25 Backlund may not be young, for a hockey player at least, he is one of the better prospects that we have developed ourselves and just as he is starting to hit his peak we want to send him off into the sunset for an even older player that will more than likely be gone at seasons end, leaving us with nothing but memories and a crappy draft pick in the 9-10 range.

I know it is a rumour but if this is the direction we are taking I'm not impressed.

If this is the direction the team heads, I'd be hard-pressed to cheer for them. Hopefully they are not this stupid.

[FlamesAddiction]

This team still needs good players in order to help our prospects develop and to still provide an entertaining product. If Cammalleri leaves, we will be pretty hurting for high end talent.

Trading for Spezza now would be buying low and I think any time you can buy low for an asset with potentially high value, you should look into it.

Having said that, I don't think there is any way that Spezza goes for it.

I don't think this trade would have much of an effect on the standings in the immediate future, and if anything, opens up a few roster spaces for younger players to step in.

[Malkin]

Originally Posted by Drury18

For all of that, we had better be getting Erik Karlsson along with Spezza. Only way that becomes a salvageable deal.

That deal probably gets Crosby + Malkin

[edslunch]

This is a realistic offer for a high end centre. I just don't see why the Flames would do it at this point in the rebuild.

As an aside, maybe I'm naive, but do even bad scribes make up trade rumours that are this specific?

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by bubbsy

I don't like the fact that backlund is rumoured in the deal.... Otherwise I would be ok.

but why are the flames in the market for a 30+ center?

Because even rebuilding organizations need veteran players. I'm not sure Spezza is the right kind of vet, however. It would make more sense - and cost less - to re-sign Cammalleri to a longer term deal.

[badger89]

Spezza to St. Louis, Anaheim, Rangers, Islanders, Washington, Vancouver, Minnesota, Columbus, Nashville, Montreal or Toronto all make more sense than to the Flames. No way this rumor is real.

[ricardodw]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Because even rebuilding organizations need veteran players. I'm not sure Spezza is the right kind of vet, however. It would make more sense - and cost less - to re-sign Cammalleri to a longer term deal.

except that you can't play Cammalleri on a line with Gaudreau or Baertschi or Granlund. With Hudler and Cammalleri in the top 6 where the heck do the small young guys get to play?

Spezza being 6-2 220 does not need a big winger to protect him and would be able to play against the Kopitars/Getzlaffs/Thorntons without being totally dominated.

He would be the targeted centre that the other teams would check creating time for Monahan and Bennett/Rienhart/Drasaitl to develop.

The part of the trade rumor I find interesting is that Hudler.... who has done everything the Flames could hope for last year is not untouchable.


Have to make roster room for Gaudreau and Baertschi/Granlund/Byron.

[Husky]

I would be fine with this deal if the Flames were 2-3 years further along into the rebuild and guys like Monahan were more established. As of right now it doesn't make unless they feel Monahan is ready for the #2 role and Stajan can be the #3 and play some hard minutes.

Offensively Spezza >>> Backlund, but the defensive game goes the other way. Plus age, etc.

[SebC]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

Trading for Spezza now would be buying low and I think any time you can buy low for an asset with potentially high value, you should look into it.

Spezza's 31. It's entirely plausible that he only gets worse from here.

[FlameZilla]

I think this rumour is too strange to be real. Maybe Garrioch is trying to drum up interest from other teams to maximise the return for the Sens?

[browna]

I would think Spezza would be that transition yet skilled and reliable NHL center for the next couple years for a guy like Monahan to follow, with the assumption of course that there's no Cammalleri sticking around. Sure, declining production, but still decent skill, and, the size that the Flames want.

But attitude wise, before start crapping on Spezza for his potential attitude, Cammalleri isn't exactly the poster boy or role model for rookies when it comes to team commitment either. His past year, since the trade deadline when Iginla got dealt, has been him basically wanting out. If it's simply being blamed for losses from the Ottawa media as his issue, I don't think Spezza would have that problem here over the next couple years as this team restocks for the nearer future.

So I can see that for the Flames side. Getting bigger, and hopefully losing little production over a similarly aged Cammalleri.

I got the impression from the season ticket holder meeting that they'd prefer more changes than less to last years roster...whether they think that's attainable in one offseason is another issue, as you need two to dance in any trade, but holding onto Backlund (for example) is likely far from the top of the priority list if it means dealing him get the team going in the direction they desire.

[theoforever]

Everyone, around the team and media has been saying that Cammy has been very professional and a good influence on the young players, leading by example when comes to fitness and whatever.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by FlameZilla

I think this rumour is too strange to be real. Maybe Garrioch is trying to drum up interest from other teams to maximise the return for the Sens?

Ding ding ding

[Vulcan]

If we are looking for a top veteran centre, I'd rather go after Joe Thornton. I hear he may be available.

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by getbak

I don't know about that. Bryan Murray has done it before.

Remember five years ago when the Oilers thought they had a done-deal for Dany Heatley? IIRC, they even called the players who were going to be sent to Ottawa to tell them that they'd been traded. Then, they found out that Heatley would absolutely not waive his NTC to go to Edmonton.


I have no idea if Murray would be dumb enough to do it a second time, but he has done it before.

I remember things happening differently than that.

I believe the Oilers made an offer for Heatley and then publicized it for some nice big game hunting PR.

Heatley then refused to be traded to Edmonton, so they flew to his cottage to try to convince him where they reportedly were not allowed through the front door.

I don't think Murray offered up Heatley knowing he wouldn't accept a trade. At the time I don't think he had a 'list', he had a full NTC, so, Murray was fielding offers from whoever in hopes they could convince him personally to waive. Sort of like the Regehr to Buffalo deal. Regehr initially wasn't going anywhere, then the owner and GM flew in and convinced him it wouldn't be so bad and he did.

If I recall correctly, the only time the Oilers called the guys mentioned in the trade was after the whole thing collapsed and they suddenly had to play damage control.