What To Do With Stajan?

[Karl]

Originally Posted by Where ru Chris O'Sullivan

One year from today, after Bennett's arrival and play, we're going to bump this thread and create 3 more "Jooris", "Backlund" and "Granlund".

Can't fit them all in, none of them are better on the wing vs current wing options.

Get ready!

Originally Posted by Mike F

LOL. You just couldn't resist, could you.

Backlund has a higher ppg average than any centre on the team and is sound defensively. He may not have Monahan's long term upside, but he's in no more danger today of being buped off the depth chart than he was in danger of heading to the KHL this time last season.

[Roof-Daddy]

This season, Stajan is just fine where he's at. 4th line veteran center.

After this season however, barring a trade of one of our younger centers, he might start having trouble staying in the line up.

1. Backlund, when healthy, has turned into one heck of a two way center.

2. Monahan hasn't missed a beat in his sophomore year, logging more minutes against tougher opponents and putting up even better numbers than his rookie year.

3. Jooris came out of nowhere and forced his way onto this team. Still has to sustain his success to this point, but he's young and learning.

4. Bennett will likely force his way onto this team at some point over the next 9 months.

5. Granlund is right on the cusp of graduating to a full time NHL center spot.

Stajan could easily find himself as low as #6 on the center depth chart by the start of next season, and all of the guys that could be ahead of him will be younger and cheaper. He's going to have to be one hell of an amazing locker room presence to survive that IMO.


EDIT: Not to mention Colborne, who plays center from time to time and also Shore and Arnold who are knocking on the door as well.

[Tinordi]

What's the issue again?

He's a depth center providing depth.

What to do with Stajan?

Play him and pay him.

[crapshoot]

Originally Posted by Tinordi

What's the issue again?

He's a depth center providing depth.

What to do with Stajan?

Play him and pay him.

That's probably the most rational thing I've read all day!

[Caged Great]

It was a decent move when the Flames signed him as there was a hole in the lineup still up the middle.

Now, the Flames have 5 good centers, and more on their way. Even at this time last year, that was only 2 deep guaranteed (Monahan and Backlund), with tons of question marks. Who knew that the #1 forward and center in the draft would fall into our lap, and we would see both Jooris and Granlund emerge as we have seen. You can be hopeful as much as anyone, but to expect those things is nuts. Stajan was a good stop gap.

Now though, through good fortune, we absolutely do not have enough room for him next year. The good thing with Stajan is that he able to be slid up and down the lineup and he'll play well. His 3 million isn't overly onerous either.

[Hugh Jahrmes]

Been said a dozen times in this thread, Stajan plays a very important role in this team and is effective in the assignments given. He gets a pretty rough shakedown around here, and I'm not quite sure why (I think I lost some internet points during the offseason for suggesting he could be a legit target for teams seeking reliable depth, either in a straight dump for picks or as part of a larger package).

Wonder if the poo stains to the north have checked into his availability.. The fact is, he is under contract for a few years, and would immediately slot into their top 9 (and provide insurance in the event Roy or RNH go down, or for when Roy walks). I'd hate to do that to the guy, but I dreamt there was a fit a while back and never brought it up because, well, what did he ever do to me. At this point though, if we are legitimately moving on, you'd think edmonton would be one of the best fits (we are talking massive, massive overpayment though). Does Edmonton have a shot at locking down a comparable player (I may over value his intangibles here) to similar dollars?

[Calgary '89]

Edmonton and Winnipeg could probably really use Stajan as their 3C. Problem is I don't think Granlund or any other young C is ready to be a go-to 4C here. Having too many centres is hardly a problem because all of them can also play wing, that's why Colborne and Jooris have been playing RW throughout the season.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by Hugh Jahrmes

Been said a dozen times in this thread, Stajan plays a very important role in this team and is effective in the assignments given. He gets a pretty rough shakedown around here, and I'm not quite sure why (I think I lost some internet points during the offseason for suggesting he could be a legit target for teams seeking reliable depth, either in a straight dump for picks or as part of a larger package).

Wonder if the poo stains to the north have checked into his availability.. The fact is, he is under contract for a few years, and would immediately slot into their top 9 (and provide insurance in the event Roy or RNH go down, or for when Roy walks). I'd hate to do that to the guy, but I dreamt there was a fit a while back and never brought it up because, well, what did he ever do to me. At this point though, if we are legitimately moving on, you'd think edmonton would be one of the best fits (we are talking massive, massive overpayment though). Does Edmonton have a shot at locking down a comparable player (I may over value his intangibles here) to similar dollars?

No way Stajan waives his NTC to go to EDM.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Here's a crazy idea... We can keep him.

[AcGold]

Trade him to a team lacking center depth. Now center is our huge strength so it would be smart if he would waive his ntc. Take whatever pick you can get and take a rw or rh dman. If meritocracy holds true he won't be able to make the team next year and sitting him will tank his relatively little value.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by AcGold

Trade him to a team lacking center depth. Now center is our huge strength so it would be smart if he would waive his ntc. Take whatever pick you can get and take a rw or rh dman. If meritocracy holds true he won't be able to make the team next year and sitting him will tank his relatively little value.

That assumes that he will be surpassed in his role by a Granlund or Jooris or maybe Shore, which means he will not improve on a points-wise off year and those kids will get an awful lot better (they are not as good as him right now - subject to the caveat that I haven't seen Shore much, but I'm betting not too many posters have either).

If Granlund or Jooris played the consistent 4th line minutes with Bollig and random other winger that Stajan does, and didn't get to play plenty of minutes between Gaudreau and Hudler, their points might resemble Stajan's a bit more.

[locsofblu]

Right now it doesnt hurt having a 3 million dollar 4th line center because of cap room. I think he's probably the best 4th liner in the league atm lol.

[blankall]

Keep him unless he wants out. The flames have tons of cap space. Even if he's not at his best, he's the perfect guy to have when the inevitable injury bug hits.

[Where ru Chris O'Sullivan]

Originally Posted by Mike F

LOL. You just couldn't resist, could you.

Backlund has a higher ppg average than any centre on the team and is sound defensively. He may not have Monahan's long term upside, but he's in no more danger today of being buped off the depth chart than he was in danger of heading to the KHL this time last season.

Higher Ppg, Really? He's missed a tonne of games, nevermind last game with runny nose and a cough.

My point stands, only Bennett and Monahan will be engraved at centre next year. With Stajan locked up for another 12 years.... It means.. 1 of Jooris, Granlund and Backs will be 3rd center and the others will sit - not ideal.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Where ru Chris O'Sullivan

Higher Ppg, Really? He's missed a tonne of games, nevermind last game with runny nose and a cough.

My point stands, only Bennett and Monahan will be engraved at centre next year. With Stajan locked up for another 12 years.... It means.. 1 of Jooris, Granlund and Backs will be 3rd center and the others will sit - not ideal.

Is your point that the games he missed just happened to be the ones in which he wouldn't have scored, thus reducing his PPG? Because the PPG is a simple fact.

Your point isn't really valid, since

(a) Bennett isn't a lock, having never played an NHL game and why would you cut a vet even if a rookie shows well in the early season?

(b) Jooris and Granlund are in no way, shape or form in a competition with Backlund, since he is miles ahead of both, and still only 25. Further, both Granlund and Jooris can play wing, as well or better than they play centre. They won't sit, unless there are better wingers. If that's the case, then they can be moved too, for assets that the Flames need.

(c) Stajan is only under contract for 3 more years, but you knew that. His $3 million looks less and less costly as the cap goes up. He may well be dealt next year, but only because he is older and not part of the eventual cup contender, not because one of the kids has suddenly become better than him. I think it far more likely that he's dealt the year after, when his contract has only a year left.

[Rick M.]

I'd be a lot more confident moving Stajan if one of the up and comers could win faceoffs in the defensive zone.

[Where ru Chris O'Sullivan]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Is your point that the games he missed just happened to be the ones in which he wouldn't have scored, thus reducing his PPG? Because the PPG is a simple fact.

Your point isn't really valid, since

(a) Bennett isn't a lock, having never played an NHL game and why would you cut a vet even if a rookie shows well in the early season?

(b) Jooris and Granlund are in no way, shape or form in a competition with Backlund, since he is miles ahead of both, and still only 25. Further, both Granlund and Jooris can play wing, as well or better than they play centre. They won't sit, unless there are better wingers. If that's the case, then they can be moved too, for assets that the Flames need.

(c) Stajan is only under contract for 3 more years, but you knew that. His $3 million looks less and less costly as the cap goes up. He may well be dealt next year, but only because he is older and not part of the eventual cup contender, not because one of the kids has suddenly become better than him. I think it far more likely that he's dealt the year after, when his contract has only a year left.

Unequivocally, if backs had played in all the games, his Ppg would be greatly reduced. Pay attention to his fresh legs first five games back vs. last 5 (removing 'free point night' vs the no good team up north).

As per 'A' he should be a lock barring future injury, he won his spot this year vs. the same crop? Unless we're bringing in Mike and Brad Richards and Toews, I don't see this changing.

'B'acks is 26 in minutes and will be 27next year, young is now prime. Flames are already log jammed at the wings, no room for two more and all of these guys are better at centre.

Doubtful Stajan is trade able with his contract. Even then, none of the 4 mentioned above are made to be a 4th line centre.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Backlund is 25.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

It be nice if Stajan could be moved, not because of any issues with him, but because of our nice young center depth. Truth is though, he's not likely going anywhere and that's ok, because he fills a great role for this team.

And one of those roles is because of what he brings, he actually makes some of our younger center depth expendable. Might not be yet, but as others have pointed out, we are about see a log jam at center. Assuming for a second Bennett is going to make a mark by next year, he and Monahan are likely part of this teams long term plans. Stajan is likely worth more to us on the team than he could generate in a trade. Which means one of the other younger bodies discussed up the middle (or maybe more than one) could be moved at the right time to good value and to shore up some other parts of the line up that need help.

I know it be nice to keep all the young guys and be able to move Stajan, but reality is, the team is probably better off keeping the veteran Stajan and trading from a spot of depth with some of the other younger centers for make our team better long term. Just a matter of when is the right time to make that move.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Originally Posted by Where ru Chris O'Sullivan

Flames are already log jammed at the wings, no room for two more and all of these guys are better at centre.

Absolutely not true at all. Maybe one day Granlund will be, but not yet. Same for Jooris.

If/when Backlund is the team's 3rd C he will arguably be one of the best, if not the best, 3rd C in the league.

But since this thread is about Stajan and not Backlund I agree with a few others, solid option for now, ride this season out and go from there.