Please do absolutely nothing.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by Mike F

I think Wideman is bound to regress and thus is at his peak value so would like to see him moved if he can be turned into a RW that doesn't require a UFA overpayment

Ahem, why don't we just play Dennis Wideman at RW? He spends more of his time there than he does at the blueline anyways.

[Vinny01]

I think if we can land a top 6 forward we will be set up very well for next year.

[jayswin]

In terms of staying the course with the rebuild I don't think Hamilton should change the fact that we probably shouldn't go into next season with both Wideman and Hudler.

Selfishly I really want to keep Hudler, but when you look at two players who both had career seasons that aren't likely to be repeated as over 30 year olds, it would be kind of crazy to just roll with both of them, imo.

[GirlySports]

why is it not sustainable? Wideman is vital in a powerplay league.

[Finger Cookin]

The old "do nothing" - my go to strategy when I'm stumped in a SWOT analysis.

NSFW!

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

why is it not sustainable? Wideman is vital in a powerplay league.

I don't know if it's not sustainable over the course of maybe one season. But he's 32 years old, so it's not like I'm saying he'll be garbage next season or regress significantly, but at our point in a rebuild this is certainly when you want to trade an asset like him, if you're going to do it at some point anyways.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by flameswin

In terms of staying the course with the rebuild I don't think Hamilton should change the fact that we probably shouldn't go into next season with both Wideman and Hudler.

Selfishly I really want to keep Hudler, but when you look at two players who both had career seasons that aren't likely to be repeated as over 30 year olds, it would be kind of crazy to just roll with both of them, imo.

If one of the top 4 d men get hurt having Wideman is a nice insurance policy. You can never have enough healthy quality d men.

Hudler is probably more valuable off the ice as a mentor for the prospects. If he can help with the progression of our young forwards I can't see why you would want to trade him.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by flameswin

I don't know if it's not sustainable over the course of maybe one season. But he's 32 years old, so it's not like I'm saying he'll be garbage next season or regress significantly, but at our point in a rebuild this is certainly when you want to trade an asset like him, if you're going to do it at some point anyways.

The only way I can see Wideman traded if someone like Wotherspoon beats him out for a roster spot. He could also give our defence prospects some time to develop.

[Captaincanada80]

Originally Posted by Mike F

I think Wideman is bound to regress, and thus is at his peak value, so would like to see him moved. Particularly if he can be turned into a RW that doesn't require a UFA overpayment

I'm on board with this. I see a huge oppertunity to trade WIdeman at peak value to fill a long term need in top 6 RW. Anthony Mantha has fallen out of favor in DET. If Detroit strikes out on July 1st and desperate for a RH defenceman I could see that being a match. 50% retained should do the trick. Assuming Emile can slot into the 2nd line LW only leaves one more need at RW long term to deal with once Hudler moves on.

Long term projection:

Gaudreau - Monahan - Mantha
Poirier- Bennett - XXXX

Fill Widemans hole though a 2-3 year deal with mid-flight FA like Odoya. Utilize him to mentor the young swedes coming up through the system.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Wideman was the 4th highest scoring d-man in the league last season. I don't think he's going anywhere until possibly later in the season. I understand his value is probably about as high as it can get, but his offense was a huge part of the team last season. I'd rather keep him and see how the season shakes out, unless someone offers Treliving something silly that he can't refuse.

[btimbit]

Sign a decent NHL/AHL tweener type goalie to backup Gillies. That's it.

Sounds like management agrees though, they'll kick tires but they don't seem to be in the mood to overpay a UFA

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Yeah, for the first time......ever?........I'll be okay with a quiet July 1st. Feels strange.

[DoubleF]

Originally Posted by Moneyhands23

Nothing personal towards Smid, but I really hope we can trade him.

While it would be nice to get an asset for Smid, I think the honorable thing is to convince/leave him on the LTIR and have him to retire as a Flame due to his neck issue thing (Not a doctor, but I think it's a issue which can be ignored, but shouldn't be).

I would agree to stand pat, but I'd rather also see what type of magic Treliving can weave.

[CSharp]

Still need to get bigger up front and on D. Can't rely on Russell and Bouma to continually block shots and play in a defensive shell for 2/3 of the game. I like to see Treliving go after Belesky and/or Williams for free agents. Sign Ramo and trade Hiller.

[Moneyhands23]

No move is a good move

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Originally Posted by CSharp

Still need to get bigger up front and on D. Can't rely on Russell and Bouma to continually block shots and play in a defensive shell for 2/3 of the game. I like to see Treliving go after Belesky and/or Williams for free agents. Sign Ramo and trade Hiller.

Belesky will get a ridiculous contract on July 1st. Someone will vastly overpay, better not be the Flames. I like Williams, but only on a reasonable short term (1 or 2 years) deal, which he won't want.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by CSharp

Still need to get bigger up front and on D. Can't rely on Russell and Bouma to continually block shots and play in a defensive shell for 2/3 of the game. I like to see Treliving go after Belesky and/or Williams for free agents. Sign Ramo and trade Hiller.

Belesky is going to get stupid money and term and much the same for Williams. You will always have some GM overpay for the better players during free agency.

[Mike F]

Originally Posted by KootenayFlamesFan

Wideman was the 4th highest scoring d-man in the league last season. I don't think he's going anywhere until possibly later in the season. I understand his value is probably about as high as it can get, but his offense was a huge part of the team last season. I'd rather keep him and see how the season shakes out, unless someone offers Treliving something silly that he can't refuse.

He scored at a .62 ppg pace prior to Giordano's injury, and a .95 ppg pace after. And even that .62 ppg pace was well above any other season he's had outside of '08-'09, when he was getting over 24 mins per night, behind only Chara, for the Bruins. He's now been bumped further down the depth chart by Hamilton, who will eat up a bunch of both even strength and pp time.

With Giordano, Hamilton, and Brodie in the top 3, Russell's defensive game is much more valuable than Wideman's offense, so I see him getting #5 ice time, unless Hartley abandons pairs.

With #5 even strength ice time, and maybe 2nd unit powerplay time, I just don't see him being a crucial piece on the team, but could land a decent return from a team who needs that RH first pp guy.

[Moneyhands23]

Originally Posted by Caged Great

I'm a greedy sob.

I want the Flames to win the cup this year.

Is it bad that I think the Flames will be in the westren conference final this year. And I like our chances of making it further!

[Moneyhands23]

Originally Posted by DoubleF

While it would be nice to get an asset for Smid, I think the honorable thing is to convince/leave him on the LTIR and have him to retire as a Flame due to his neck issue thing (Not a doctor, but I think it's a issue which can be ignored, but shouldn't be).

I would agree to stand pat, but I'd rather also see what type of magic Treliving can weave.

From what iv heard lately (interviews/comments) looks like Smid will be healthy enough to play.