2014/2015 Trade Speculation and Rumors

[handgroen]

Originally Posted by Glo Boyz

Guy is seriously a bum. 100% serious. Y'all think he's great because we've been forced to watch even worse defenders throughout these difficult years.

He's not a great skater, Not great on the boards, constantly ices the puck and is hemmed in his own zone for long periods of times multiple times per game. His advanced statistics are dreadful. I also hate how terribly he plays attacking forwards on the rush, he just continues to back up and allows the forward to rip a dangerous shot on goal every time.

Positives for him is that he blocks an insane amount of shots and has a decent breakout pass.

Now, while I do think he is overrated, I still think he's an excellent bottom pairing d-man. We would definitely need to upgrade him though if we even dare to imagine competing with the Ducks or Hawks.

what in the world does this guy have to do to get a pat on the back?

his season was one of the gutsiest performances i've seen, and the added bonus was, that i totally didn't see it coming.

[Huntingwhale]

Yeah, the coaching staff sure thought of him as a bum

[heep223]

Not a great skater? Lol

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by Glo Boyz

We gotta upgrade the middle pairing if we really want to take a step forward next season.

Personally, I think Kris Russell is horrible and was very underwhelming this season.

And who exactly do you have in mind to upgrade the middle pairing?

[Demetric]

Thoughts on

Jones + Hanowski
for
Semin, 2nd, Pesce/Mceown

[spennywalks]

Originally Posted by Glo Boyz

Guy is seriously a bum. 100% serious. Y'all think he's great because we've been forced to watch even worse defenders throughout these difficult years.

He's not a great skater, Not great on the boards, constantly ices the puck and is hemmed in his own zone for long periods of times multiple times per game. His advanced statistics are dreadful. I also hate how terribly he plays attacking forwards on the rush, he just continues to back up and allows the forward to rip a dangerous shot on goal every time.

Positives for him is that he blocks an insane amount of shots and has a decent breakout pass.

Now, while I do think he is overrated, I still think he's an excellent bottom pairing d-man. We would definitely need to upgrade him though if we even dare to imagine competing with the Ducks or Hawks.

you drunk bro?

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by Demetric

Thoughts on

Jones + Hanowski
for
Semin, 2nd, Pesce/Mceown

Not nearly enough coming back to the Flames to eat that contract

[Glo Boyz]

Originally Posted by New Era

Where do they find those guys though, and to get them, what is the acquisition cost going to look like?

Either through the draft which will probably take about 3 years to really be able to help

Or we have to do what NYI did last summer and trade seconds for d. Leddy and Boychuk type players would be EXCELLENT pick ups for this team.

[Glo Boyz]

Originally Posted by Huntingwhale

Yeah, the coaching staff sure though of him as a bum

Who else was gonna play those minutes?

It was between him and players like Diaz, Schlemko and Engelland lmfao.

[codynw]

The second pairing definitely needs to be upgraded, but Kris Russell is not a "bum". You're not going to last long here if that's how you're going to post.

[Poe969]

I agree that the D needs some work but calling Russell a bum is a stretch to say the least. Russell was exactly what we needed him to be, he blocked shots like crazy, he chipped in offensively and wasn't a slouch in his own end. That being said, I still think there's room to get someone better and slide him down. Getting someone to step into a top 4 spot on D is harder than winning the draft lottery a bunch of times and still being horrible. I think if the Flames want a top notch young defender, Hamilton is the way to go and that's still going to cost a LOT.

The Flames D needs to improve but Russell and Wideman stepped up and played great (for what they are). Neither guy is a top 2 guy but at times they played like it. If the Flames can get a top notch defender and make Russell or Wideman a third pairing it would be great but because we'd be deep, not because either guy is garbage.

[Glo Boyz]

Originally Posted by Poe969

I agree that the D needs some work but calling Russell a bum is a stretch to say the least. Russell was exactly what we needed him to be, he blocked shots like crazy, he chipped in offensively and wasn't a slouch in his own end. That being said, I still think there's room to get someone better and slide him down. Getting someone to step into a top 4 spot on D is harder than winning the draft lottery a bunch of times and still being horrible. I think if the Flames want a top notch young defender, Hamilton is the way to go and that's still going to cost a LOT.

The Flames D needs to improve but Russell and Wideman stepped up and played great (for what they are). Neither guy is a top 2 guy but at times they played like it. If the Flames can get a top notch defender and make Russell or Wideman a third pairing it would be great but because we'd be deep, not because either guy is garbage.

IMO, I think we should totally renovate our bottom 4. I like Wideman, but his skating is such a hindrance to his ability in the d-zone and its a big reason why we're always getting hemmed.

I'd look to trade Wideman (after the season he just had) for a ransom
Sign Sekera and then trade for somebody like Kevin Klien or Justin Braun

Giordano - Brodie
Sekera - Klien/Braun
Russell - Wotherspoon/Schlemko/Nakladal/FA?

[RoughRiderRowdy]

Originally Posted by Glo Boyz

IMO, I think we should totally renovate our bottom 4. I like Wideman, but his skating is such a hindrance to his ability in the d-zone and its a big reason why we're always getting hemmed.

I'd look to trade Wideman (after the season he just had) for a ransom
Sign Sekera and then trade for somebody like Kevin Klien or Justin Braun

Giordano - Brodie
Sekera - Klien/Braun
Russell - Wotherspoon/Schlemko/Nakladal/FA?

That would instantly make this team better. Calling russell a bum was way over the top, but reading your posts your right. If russell is a bottom pairing guy, our defence is deep and great. Braun is a steady right handed shot would be excellent

[ForeverFlameFan]

If you can sign Sekera, then sure, look to move Wideman.

What makes you think Sekera wants to play here though? Besides, LA traded a 1st round pick for him, surely they are going to find a way to re-sign him.

[Vinny01]

If LA re-signs Sekera perhaps a guy like Martinez could be had from LA?

[Poe969]

I think you're selling Wideman short here. He isn't the best defensively but he isn't that bad. He also runs our PP and has elevated his game and he's shown great chemistry on the team and especially with Johnny.

I'm not 100% against trading him, it would have to be for a lot though and we'd have to have a replacement in place. I can't see Sekera hitting UFA. Braun or Klien would cost a lot in a trade.

If we're going to upgrade our D, I'd look at upgrading our top pairing...I know it sounds bad but I mean I'd try to get someone like Hamilton or Seabrook who could step into the top 2 and push everyone down.

[darthma]

Originally Posted by Caged Great

Glo Boyz is actually partially correct in that both Russell Wideman are not good #3/4 defensemen, although they were awesome this season, especially when Gio went down.

If you look at the advanced stats, they have significant deficiencies in their own zone. (shots allowed, shot attempts, possession)

While both of them contributed significantly on the offensive side of things, they were not very good on the defensive side for a team that is trying to become a cup contender. I would not rush either of them out the door, but I would also try very hard to find an upgrade somewhere for each of them.

If you look at Tampa, their defense in 2013-14 was

Hedman-Carle
Gudas-Salo
Brewer-Sustr
5 different players

This year it's

Hedman-Stralman
Garrison-Carle
Sustr-Nesterov/Coburn/Barbeiro

If the Flames can find players that are better overall players than Russell and Wideman, they should.

Wow. Stralman on the top pairing. He really turned it around. In my mind, he's similar to Russell, though I'm not sure that's a perfect comparison. We got a 3rd round pick for him.

[Vinny01]

I don't see Wideman getting moved. He had a huge year and has a full NMC. I think he stays and is a solid #4. If the Flames could get a legit #3 our d corps will be set with Russell-Engellend making up a solid third pair

[Racki]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

I don't see Wideman getting moved. He had a huge year and has a full NMC. I think he stays and is a solid #4. If the Flames could get a legit #3 our d corps will be set with Russell-Engellend making up a solid third pair

I also think that part of Widemans value is related to the way his offensive instincts played well with Johnny Hockey's.

[azzarish]

Originally Posted by Caged Great

Gaudreau + Monahan should have a raise of 4.5 million each on their cap hits (6.25)

Gio should increase 4 mil --> 8

Hudler should go up 2.5 --> 6.5

Russell up 1.5 --> 4

16.5 million in raises for those players still leaves 1.5 mil in a cushion plus whatever savings from the other players moving on. It is doable.

The only thing is that it would require a team to over pay to make it happen. I wouldn't take #13 by itself for taking on Richards for example. I'd want another semi decent asset as well.

I don't see Hudler being resigned.