Your wish list

[Fire of the Phoenix]

Originally Posted by Jason14h

We need a big center who can win faceoffs, a big winger who can score 20 goals, and a bigger puck moving D.

All three of these are easy to find

Vermette, Stafford, Michalek. We either sign guys like that in UFA or trade for lesser/marginal upgrades (though I'm not sure there's a point in marginal upgrades, might as well see if young players will improve). Getting three players of that quality in trades would be cost prohibitive given where we are at in the rebuild.

[flambers]

Flames to address the lack of depth on defense. Injuries will occur but the Flames don't have the depth at this position. Flames top 4 dman played really well.... but they were running on empty....

Flames will need to target another winger who can skate but has size and is physical.

[Stud_McCool]

Emile Poirier no longer in their plans? He can skate and adds a physical element.

[Fire of the Phoenix]

Originally Posted by Stud_McCool

Emile Poirier no longer in their plans? He can skate and adds a physical element.

Unless he lights training camp on fire, I bet he starts in the AHL next year. He slowed down as the year went on and seemed very tentative in his games with Calgary. He had a good first year, but he needs to take a huge step forward to be a top 9 forward in the NHL. Not to say he won't at some point, but he doesn't look close to ready... yet.

[flambers]

Originally Posted by Fire of the Phoenix

Unless he lights training camp on fire, I bet he starts in the AHL next year.

.

Agreed, I would think Poirier starts at AHL probably gets brought up to the Flames half way through the season.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Stud_McCool

Emile Poirier no longer in their plans? He can skate and adds a physical element.

He wasn't great in his callup but he still has potential IMO.

He is still only 6'1" and 185. While he's physical, he's not going to be heavy along the boards like the Ducks can be.

[Husky]

I have no issues using pucks this year for young players to add to an already young core.

Backlund plus 2nd for RoR.

1st plus klimchuk for jordan staal.

Add a bit if needed. But for needs to sign an extension.

Gadreau monohan hudler
Bennett staal RoR
Ferland bouma colbourne
Bollig stajan Jones

[BACKCHECK!!!]

I have one wish:

Karl Alzner.

[Fire of the Phoenix]

Originally Posted by Husky

I have no issues using pucks this year for young players to add to an already young core.

Backlund plus 2nd for RoR.

1st plus klimchuk for jordan staal.

Add a bit if needed. But for needs to sign an extension.

Gadreau monohan hudler
Bennett staal RoR
Ferland bouma colbourne
Bollig stajan Jones

Backlund+2nd won't get you RoR, not even close. I'm thinking a 1st round pick will be a must from Colorado's perspective and they want D not forwards from what I've read. We're just not good trading partners.

And no to Staal, one of the most overrated players in the last 10 years and signed for years and years at $6m.

[cannon7]

I don't break up Giordano-Brodie or Russell-Wideman. But I would like to see a third pairing that would allow us to roll three D pairings like the Ducks were in this series. Guys like Engelland and Schlemko played well when called upon, but I'd like to see those guys in #6/7 roles and have a stronger third pairing overall. Green would add that much more firepower to an already very offensive blueline and Fransson would add some much needed size and two-way ability. Both would be my hopefuls.

Up front, obviously the Flames killer in Belesky looks like a solid UFA pick up. A guy like Joel Ward, who is having an amazing year would really help our depth on RW. As for big bodies, with guys like Smith and Jankowski looking to make a push to the pros in th enext year or two we look OK there with Bouma, Ferland, Shore, Colborne, etc. We're certainly not going to get a duo of Getzlaf-Perry, so we should focus on our strengths and compliment them instead. Speed, skill and hockey smarts.

In the draft, our system desperately needs to stock up on top-end d-men prospects. But more help on RW wouldn't hurt either.

[united]

Most importantly, an additional seasoned defenceman to help with depth and balance of minutes. One of Andrej Sekera or Cody Franson - both will be popular come UFA day, but the Flames are in a position to give one of them a fair offer in both money and years. At 28 and 27 respectively, they can both be part of the core during the Flames' prime years ahead.

Sekera shoots left, Franson right. Either allows flexibility throughout the defence and the luxury of having Wideman or Russell dominate on the third pairing isn't a bad thing. as much as we love them. Plus, the minutes can be more evenly split among all three pairs compared to this season.

Giordano-Brodie
Sekera-Wideman
Russell-Other

Fallback options: Petry (27), Michalek (32)

..

Of offence it's trickier...it depends it the Flames want to add another scoring threat, which I think they should, or more utility players.

Michael Frolik is 27 and coming off back-to-back 42-point seasons. He could fill the second line RW spot, I think, plus he's the right age for the team. Joel Ward is another option but at 34 I fear he could be in for a steep decline at any time. I don't really see any forward I would want to spend big on - dollars are better saved for re-signing our young players and potential future acquisitions (UFA or trade).

...

Both Ramo and Hiller are average and there is obvious room for improvement here, but there is no options really available. The only one who stands out is Dubnyk...but banking on 1/2 a season of work compared to his career of work is a massive risk. He does live in Calgary in the off season and does have a youngster, though. Ortio looks to be Ramo/Hiller level at worst and possibly better, and Gillies has top 10 goalie potential. I would stick with one of Ramo or Hiller with Ortio backup and Gillies showing whether or not his Hockey East dominance translate to the AHL.

[#-3]

Others have said it, but I also don't get the thing with the D around here.

This Season:
Gio & Brodie proved they were one of the best pairs in the league.
Russel & Wideman proved they can be an effective #1 pair on a playoff team
Engelland showed he can step up and contribute allot
Schlemko is youngish and looked pretty good.

I understand this team could stand to get heavier on D, but barring some major trade, IMO none of these guys deserve anything resembling a demotion. What we need is a Big NHL ready Prospect, who can take on an increasing role as these guys take a step back or get injured.

[HOWITZER]

I am all for signing UFAs to fill holes in the front 9, but not at the expense of cap space in the long term. Hopefully there are a few deals that make sense. I could see maybe Michael Frolik making sense. Could someone a little closer to Jets comment on his play?

[dammage79]

You know, I suppose a guy like Patrick Berglund could be a viable trade target too. Big bodied C . If the cost of acquisition is right, I would love getting him on the Flames.

[ThisIsAnOutrage]

Acquire Nikita Kucherov. Not for any hockey-related reasons, it's just that "Nikita Kucherov" is pretty close to "I-See-The-Future-Ov" which makes it the second best Russian name in NHL history behind only Alexei Morozov, who's name was basically "Sexy More-Clothes-Off."

Also, fix the heroin beer at the dome.

[Crumpy-Gunt]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

Either you think our top-four needs more size to handle teams like Anaheim, or you don't. If you're happy with the top-4, then there's not much to discuss. If you want to change the top-4, that means someone gets traded or moved to the 3rd pairing.

And the absolute best time to trade player is when he's over 30 and just had a career year. It's not running him out of town. If you want to get a good player, you give up a good player. Some of the most important trades in Flames history have been moving out very good players who are playing really well. Trades aren't punishment - they're exchanges of one kind of asset for another.

Great post!

Personally I'm not sure I'd demote him to the 3rd pairing because he played too well this season and he makes too much money. Also I would absolutely trade Wideman it it meant getting a valuable younger asset especially a d-man or RW with size and a decently high ceiling. I'd trade him even for a couple B level prospects. Another teams Ferland/Smith/Wotherspoon type prospects who have a decent ceiling top 4 and top 6, but still have some work to do on them.

Also I'd package Wideman with a 2nd for a 1st if it meant 2 1sts in the top 20 of a nice draft, and 2 2nds after that.

Hurts me to say that as I have LOVED Widemans overall game this whole season. He has been an embodiment of flames hockey. He's 32, has a contract thats winding down and just came off a career season. I'd hate to be looking back on this like Cammellerri and regretting not getting an asset for him when we still could / he was in demand.

The questions for me are is Wideman a crucial part of this team once Gio is back. IE can we replace his goals and assists and his chemistry with Kris Russell (who is a crucial part of this team and will be here when we are out of this rebuild).

I think we can find someone just as good who is younger and will be in thier prime longer during this teams peak years.

I'm sure Brad understands this. The question will be the market for a Wideman. Maybe teams will see him as better value than some of the 30+ year old offensive defenseman available via UFA or trade.

IF we do trade Dennis, I'd love to throw 6m AAV over 3 years at Mike Green. 1.5m more than Wideman, arguably quite a better player, 3 years~ younger. Or put a sneaky offer in on a young RFA Dman like Dillon.

If we can snag Dillon add Joel Ward, and trade wides + a 2nd or 3rd pick for a 1st I'd be very happy.

Also...PAY GIO!!!

[Phanuthier]

I think Mike Green will get far more than 3 years. Probably 5-6 and probably $7m instead or $6M

[Cheerio]

My wish is they somehow convince Engelland to move to England and not come back

[CroFlames]

Since it's just wish list with no strings attached,

I wish for a bonafide #1 goalie

and a very good #3/4 D-man.

The forward situation can sort itself out thru drafts and developments

[dash_pinched]

Originally Posted by dammage79

You know, I suppose a guy like Patrick Berglund could be a viable trade target too. Big bodied C . If the cost of acquisition is right, I would love getting him on the Flames.

I used to be a fan of Berglund, but the guy continually puts up poor numbers and for a big body, he plays small. I fear he could become the next whipping boy if the Flames acquired him.