2015/2016 Trade Speculation and Rumors

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

What about packaging Backlund with Russell? I know everybody loves Backlund but lets be honest, he really is a high end 3rd line C at best and with the C depth we have I think we could make due. He is a good pk but we have other forwards that are too and if you package them both you should be able to get a good top 6 winger back. Then call up Granlund, I think he is a better offensive player than Backlund anyhow and is ready.

Agreed. Backlund hasn't done anything offensively for a few seasons now and Granlund is more skilled and too good for the AHL. If there's a market for Backlund out there you definitely have to explore that as he's a redundant player in this organization in that he's not good enough for top 6 but a decent bottom 6 player. May as well rotate in cheaper players like Granlund to take his spot.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Boston may be a fit with them needing back end help, could a UFA swap of Loui Erikson for Kris Russell make sense. Also opens up a little more cap room for the Bruins.

If we're selling UFA Russell, we have to get a good draft pick back, hopefully a 1st rounder. Can't get too caught up in the present, gotta build a team through the draft not abandon that.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

If we're selling UFA Russell, we have to get a good draft pick back, hopefully a 1st rounder. Can't get too caught up in the present, gotta build a team through the draft not abandon that.

Agreed, or at the very least a younger player who has potential but has fallen out of favour (Kerby Rychel, Anthony Mantha type), with his current play I doubt Russell would return a first though.

I also don't think that will be the route our GM goes this early in the season. Could see them doing a deal like that, and then you flip Eriksson for futures if things don't turn around.

[Harry Lime]

Skinner has four years left at 5.725 (including this one), and is a serious concussion concern, and his production has dropped off considerably. You could probably get him for Wideman and Backlund, but you are acquiring a huge risk by doing so. Carolina has over 8M in cap space, and a lot of UFAs, including Eric Staal. They will trade for solid veterans with a year or two of control.

He might be a buy low option, if he can recover like Bergeron, but he could easily be one hit away from Savard. High risk, high reward.

[Vinny01]

Eklund speculating Wideman to the Sens. Not sure what they have that fits the bill. We are not getting Stone, Hoffman, Turris, Zibenijad and do not want anything to do with Ryan. Maybe Michalek but I don't like that trade

[Vinny01]

I would take the risk with Skinner if all it cost was Backlund+a Dman. I don't see Wideman waiving to go there so I think it would have to be Russell.

Maybe Backlund, Russell, Hiller
For
Skinner, Ward
?

[Toonage]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

Eklund speculating Wideman to the Sens. Not sure what they have that fits the bill. We are not getting Stone, Hoffman, Turris, Zibenijad and do not want anything to do with Ryan. Maybe Michalek but I don't like that trade

Eklund is aware that the whole team is headed to Ottawa now, right?

[codynw]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

I would take the risk with Skinner if all it cost was Backlund+a Dman. I don't see Wideman waiving to go there so I think it would have to be Russell.

Maybe Backlund, Russell, Hiller
For
Skinner, Ward
?

Jeff Skinner had 31 points in 77 games last year. And currently has 2 points in 8 games this year. He's gotten worse every year since his rookie year, has a notable history with concussions, and makes $5.75M for the next 5 years.

Why would you want anything to do with Skinner?

[Ashasx]

Originally Posted by codynw

Jeff Skinner had 31 points in 77 games last year. And currently has 2 points in 8 games this year. He's gotten worse every year since his rookie year, has a notable history with concussions, and makes $5.75M for the next 5 years.

Why would you want anything to do with Skinner?

Talk about an anchor of a contract.

[sureLoss]

Fridman's 30 thoughts:
http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/3...s-anyone-else/

4.Add Los Angeles to the list of teams looking for a defenceman or two. The Kings are not happy with their mix.

5. As Calgary continues to struggle, GM Brad Treliving holds some sway over the defensive market. There are blueliners available, but few that are overly appetizing. Dennis Wideman’s played very well for them, one of the few who’s been above water during this ugly start.

“I’ve changed my opinion of him,” another GM said last week.

He’s got a no-move clause, but even if he was willing, the problem is his $5.25 million cap hit next season — with an actual salary of $6 million. With so many teams so tight to the ceiling, it’s going to be hard for someone to take it.

6. That leaves us with Kris Russell, unrestricted at the end of the year. He’s down with the ship right now, no points at all after 63 the past two seasons. Word is he’d like to stay, and, in a perfect world, the Flames would like to keep him. Look at some of his contemporaries. Andrej Sekera jumped into the market and got $5.5 million. Teammate T.J. Brodie signed early, for $4.65 million. Chris Tanev signed early, for $4.45 million.

You could argue Russell may not be a first-pairing player, so let’s look at Mattias Ekholm. Obviously happy in NashVegas, Ekholm took $3.75 million from the Predators. He was to be unrestricted in 2017. Calgary would probably love to get Russell on that, but Ekholm plays six fewer minutes a night. This is an interesting card for the Flames to play — if they want to.

[SuperMatt18]

If we could send a bad contract back to Carolina as well (cough Raymond cough) I would love to pick up Skinner.

High risk, but if you put him on a line with Bennett and he finds that scoring touch it's an instant game breaker. Guy had 31 goals as an 18 year old, and 33 goals just 2 seasons ago.

Gaudreau-Monahan - ?
Skinner - Bennett - ?

Needs some size on that RW to help in the corners but with those 4 all under the age of 23 with strong skill sets really improves our top 6 long term.

[Strange Brew]

The return on Wideman will be highest at next year's trade deadline. His contract is a problem and even then, his pro rated salary could be an issue for a contending team against the cap.

But if the Flames are serious about a long term rebuild and not just trying to score a few wins this year, or extra cap space for a UFA this summer, you hold onto Wideman until his value is the highest and deal him then.

Its frustrating that the Flames appear to be back near the beginning of a rebuild and yet be up against the cap at the same time.

[codynw]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

Talk about an anchor of a contract.

It's terrible. Might be the worst in the NHL if he doesn't turn it around, which I doubt he will.

I feel sick every time someone suggests a Skinner to Calgary trade. I hope Treliving is smarter than that.

[Derek Sutton]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

The return on Wideman will be highest at next year's trade deadline. His contract is a problem and even then, his pro rated salary could be an issue for a contending team against the cap.

But if the Flames are serious about a long term rebuild and not just trying to score a few wins this year, or extra cap space for a UFA this summer, you hold onto Wideman until his value is the highest and deal him then.

Its frustrating that the Flames appear to be back near the beginning of a rebuild and yet be up against the cap at the same time.

Remember though, the Flames can retain salary, Wideman at half his salary (potentially) for the next two years should make him very attractive.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by codynw

Jeff Skinner had 31 points in 77 games last year. And currently has 2 points in 8 games this year. He's gotten worse every year since his rookie year, has a notable history with concussions, and makes $5.75M for the next 5 years.

Why would you want anything to do with Skinner?

Last year was horrible by all Hurricanes offensive players. The year before he had 33 goals and has played nearly a full season 2 straight years.

High risk move for sure though

[Harry Lime]

Skinner's contract is 4 years, including this one, not 5. Backlund's contract is 3 years, and Wideman's 2. If you wanted to open up a spot on the team, take a one year financial risk beyond Backlund, and take the chance that Skinner would put up more points on a line with someone other than Riley Nash and Chris Versteeg, you consider a trade like that.

Personally I think that Stajan and Backlund are redundant to each other, and the loss of Wideman could be covered internally. So there is only reason to be upset is in 2018 when you are paying that extra year of contract, if Skinner didn't work out.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by Derek Sutton

Remember though, the Flames can retain salary, Wideman at half his salary (potentially) for the next two years should make him very attractive.

Fair point. Flames should have no issue with retaining half the salary if they stay away from any win now mentality.

I still think he would fetch more at next year's deadline, when you could still retain half the salary. And some of our D prospects could probably use the time in the AHL.

I just really want BT to focus on getting the maximum return and not trying to fix the team for this year or next.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

Fair point. Flames should have no issue with retaining half the salary if they stay away from any win now mentality.

I still think he would fetch more at next year's deadline, when you could still retain half the salary. And some of our D prospects could probably use the time in the AHL.

I just really want BT to focus on getting the maximum return and not trying to fix the team for this year or next.

Part of the problem is going into the summer with that contract still on the books with 4 high priced Dmen signed beyond this year that are a right shot or in Brodie's case likes to play the right side.

If they trade Russell this year then yes I think you can keep Wideman until the deadline next year but Brodie needs to slide back to the left

[BigFlameDog]

Kris Russell can go as far as I'm concerned. Blocked shots are fine and all but actually clearing the zone would be better.

[Travis Munroe]

Before making any spur of the moment trades I think you give some guys opportunity within the organization.
Send Raymond down (correct me if I am wrong but he would not need to clear waivers and even if he does, doubtful he is picked up this time around)
Sit Bollig
Sit Engelland

Give Nakladal a shot to replace Engelland
Give Granlund a chance to replace Raymond
Give Freddie or Emilie or any other "earner" a shot to replace Bollig

Bollig played great against boys in the pre season and it is not fair to expect him to carry that on. He does have value on this team in certain situations. When the team is struggling to score his value is 0/10. When we are being pushed around his value is 10/10. Same can be said for Engelland....

I would hate to see trades made for the sake of a trade when we may have the answers within the organization. Monohan needs to be taken from Johny and Jiri. Put Monohan with 2 other defensive minded guys to play against the other teams top line and put Jiri and Johny on the second to try and create that so badly needed scoring line again.