2015/2016 Trade Speculation and Rumors

[BigFlameDog]

Originally Posted by cannon7

I think Hudler has been playing hurt since those hits he received from Regehr in the playoff clinching game last season. This is largely why he struggled in the playoffs and ever since. I think he's only now starting to come around and so I hope Treliving hangs onto him until the trade deadline as I think his play will improve. I also think he's the biggest reason (after Gio) for the Flames' struggles this season, as he was pretty much the glue on the top line.

To me he is clearly wearing different, bigger shoulder pads. Could mean nothing but he also doesn't seem to be shooting, could also mean he wanted to try some different pads lol.

[BigFlameDog]

Originally Posted by Fire of the Phoenix

Agree with the first part of your post. I've been on the trade Hudler train since last season (no, I didn't want to see it happen last year).

Russell though? I'm sorry but I don't see what he brings that can't be instantly replaced by Nakladal, Wotherspoon or whoever. Don't bring up blocked shots because I don't think that's a good stat for a dman when combined with what we visually see from Russell on a game by game basis.

I would sign Russell to a 2 year $2.5m AAV deal to be our #5, but that's about it. And I'd only do it if we could drop Engelland and/or Smid. Unfortunately some poor team is going to pay $4m a year for 3-4 years. I really hope it's not us.

I'm with you, Russell is highly overrated IMO....I even think he is more of a "the puck hit him" kind of guy rather than a true Bouma type shot blocker. Kind of like a goal post who shows flashes of spark offensively but not enough for me to like him.

[DazzlinDino]

Originally Posted by New Era

A dead guy could get points playing with Gaudreau and Monahan. Let's not kid ourselves into thinking that Hudler is accomplishing anything at the moment. There is a lot left to be desired with Hudler's play at the moment. I like Jiri, and the leadership he has brought to the team, but I think he looks disinterested. Frankly, we have way too many veterans who are looking that way and that is the biggest problem with this team. The Flames were successful last season because of the enthusiasm the young guys brought to the team. They need that back and if certain vets aren't willing to play that way, it's time to move them. Sponging points off the two best talents on the team don't mean a hill of beans in the big picture. We aren't the Edmonton Oilers where points are all that matters. It's what you do on the ice when you aren't producing that counts the most, and I'm not seeing a helluva lot from Hudler, unlike what he has done in the past couple of years for the club.

Yeah seems like he has a bit of Glencross syndrome. Wouldn't be surprised if he didn't get much of a payday on any other team. Glencross made the mistake of thinking he was worth more and simply didn't bring enough intangibles that other teams look for. Wouldn't surprise me the same thing happened to Hudler. While he is more skilled and plays on our top line, I doubt he would be able to crack other teams top lines unless its players like Kane and Toews. Sometimes the grass is not always greener. Hudler is very lucky to have the opportunity to play with a pair of really skilled guys.

[Badgers Nose]

Originally Posted by New Era

A dead guy could get points playing with Gaudreau and Monahan. Let's not kid ourselves into thinking that Hudler is accomplishing anything at the moment. There is a lot left to be desired with Hudler's play at the moment. I like Jiri, and the leadership he has brought to the team, but I think he looks disinterested. Frankly, we have way too many veterans who are looking that way and that is the biggest problem with this team. The Flames were successful last season because of the enthusiasm the young guys brought to the team. They need that back and if certain vets aren't willing to play that way, it's time to move them. Sponging points off the two best talents on the team don't mean a hill of beans in the big picture. We aren't the Edmonton Oilers where points are all that matters. It's what you do on the ice when you aren't producing that counts the most, and I'm not seeing a helluva lot from Hudler, unlike what he has done in the past couple of years for the club.

So in other words you don't like Hudler because he is playing like Hudler?

His peak was last year. He a useful player even in decline, and no one is stepping up to take his ice time, a second round pick sure won't. Neither will the abundance of .5 pt/game AHL RWs the Flames have (I'm not sure what Freddie Hamilton is, but I don't think he is the guy to take those minutes and produce those points). If any of them ever put up points at Hudler's pace in the NHL it won't be this year or next.

Hudler has earned his points.

[dying4acup]

I am extremely pleased to have had Hudler on this team for 3.5yrs. He has earned every penny he has been paid by producing, grooming young players and helping this team back to the playoffs.

I would be happy if he finishes the season. I would be happy if is re-signed at a reasonable price. I would be happy if he is traded for a high return.

I just ask that people remember the whole time he was here and not just last season and/or this season.

[PlayfulGenius]

Originally Posted by JJ1532

But I think Treliving will be damned if he does, damned if he doesn't. I personally reckon we'll still have a shot at the play offs come the deadline. So what does Treliving do? Sure, he could trade Hudler, but that has 2 issues. First issue, if he's playing poorly, he'll likely get a low return and you'll question whether it was worth giving up a top 6 winger for very little. But if he's on a hot streak, then you again wonder whether it's worth punching a hole in your top 6 and damaging your hopes of a play off spot just for a possible 1st rounder in the 22-30 range in a weak draft.

I also don't think fans will take too kindly to trading Hudler if we are still in with a shot at the play offs if we only get a prospect/pick back in return. Best case scenario with Hudler is that we're out of contention but he has taken off again. We'll get a good return and it won't directly impact our season. But if either one or both of those things aren't there, I think trading him becomes very problematic.

In the 30-team era, has a team ever been dead last overall this late in the season, and gone on to make the playoffs??

I get that there's a chance, but if Treliving is making decisions with playoffs in mind, he's foolish

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by Alberta_Beef

I disagree, he hasn't been given much of a chance here.

No one has eye popping stats on Stockton. But Shore has been very good for a while now for them.

Shore has had his chances. He was up with the team for the last quarter of the season last year and even though he didn't play all the time he was practicing. He had his chances in training camp again this year.

Frankly both Hathaway and Grant have outperformed him lately.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Hudler will be coveted by somebody after his monster year last year. I think we definitely have to deal him as he looks to be slowing down and speed is a weakness of his. I don't see a long term fit here for the kind of money he'll command.

Russell I'd re-sign at the right price or deal him if that doesn't happen.

[Samonadreau]

Originally Posted by PlayfulGenius

In the 30-team era, has a team ever been dead last overall this late in the season, and gone on to make the playoffs??

I get that there's a chance, but if Treliving is making decisions with playoffs in mind, he's foolish

Agreed. Even if on the small chance they make the playoffs this year BT has to think long term. The only way you dont trade Hudler is if you can resign him at a complete bargain. Dont not trade him on the hopes he will make or break a cup run this year only to lose him like we did Cammalleri and get zip in return with no playoffs.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by New Era

A dead guy could get points playing with Gaudreau and Monahan.

Originally Posted by dissentowner

Mason Raymond, less talented than even a dead guy.

Originally Posted by New Era

Exactly. He actually looked like a NHL player when he was inserted into the lineup on the top line with those two.

But Raymond didn't look anything like Hudler, even so.

Sorry, that dog won't hunt. It is not at all the case that a replacement-level player will score 55 points a season just because you put him on a line with Monahan and Gaudreau. Hell, Monahan himself is barely on a 55-point pace. If Hudler isn't better offensively than an AHL callup, neither is Monahan.

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by PlayfulGenius

In the 30-team era, has a team ever been dead last overall this late in the season, and gone on to make the playoffs??

I get that there's a chance, but if Treliving is making decisions with playoffs in mind, he's foolish

Has a team ever been dead last and 5 measly points out of a playoff spot at this point of the season?

[dying4acup]

Originally Posted by DeluxeMoustache

Has a team ever been dead last and 5 measly points out of a playoff spot at this point of the season?

Ask the oiler fans. They might know.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by PlayfulGenius

In the 30-team era, has a team ever been dead last overall this late in the season, and gone on to make the playoffs??

In 2007, the Capitals were 30th overall on December 7, 10 points out of a playoff spot. They ended up winning the SE Division (because it sucked) and were tied for the 12th-best record in the NHL.

Originally Posted by DeluxeMoustache

Has a team ever been dead last and 5 measly points out of a playoff spot at this point of the season?

In 2008, Tampa was 30th overall on December 7, and they were 9 points out of a playoff spot. They finished the season 29th overall.



Here are all the seasons of the 30-team era, with the 30th overall team on December 7, (number of points back on December 7), and their final ranking at the end of that season...

• 2014 - EDM (15) - 28
• 2013 - BUF (19) - 30
• 2012 - N/A
• 2011 - CBJ (11) - 30
• 2010 - NYI (16) - 27
• 2009 - CAR (13) - 24
• 2008 - TBL (9) - 29
• 2007 - WAS (10) - 12
• 2006 - CBJ/STL (11) - 24/22
• 2005 - STL (19) - 30
• 2004 - N/A
• 2003 - PIT (11) - 30
• 2002 - ATL (10) - 24
• 2001 - ATL (12) - 30
• 2000 - CBJ (15) - 23

Although not last overall, last season, the Rangers were outside a playoff spot on December 7, and 13 points back of first overall. They ended up winning the President's Trophy by 3 points.

[ScorchyScorch]

Originally Posted by DeluxeMoustache

Has a team ever been dead last and 5 measly points out of a playoff spot at this point of the season?

Probably not, no.

It's a complete anomaly that 6 of 7 teams in the division are playing .500 at best and that the team resides in this geographical area is the only reason why the Flames are still playing meaningful games.

[Alberta_Beef]

delete

[Flash Walken]

Can the flames keep all their good players and trade all their bad ones?

[Flames_F.T.W]

Don't know where else to ask this, but.... What happened to the Monday and Friday segments Elliott Friedman used to do on the Fan 960?

[Fighting Banana Slug]

It would seem that the bottom dwellers aren't quite as putrid as years past. 70 point pace is bad, but nothing compared to Buffalo/Edmo bad in the past. Remains to be seen what 30th place will have for points, but it doesn't look like it would be in the 50s or low 60s.

[saillias]

Originally Posted by Flames_F.T.W

Don't know where else to ask this, but.... What happened to the Monday and Friday segments Elliott Friedman used to do on the Fan 960?

I texted in this question as well, no response

Friday he missed but they claimed he would be back today.

[The Yen Man]

Originally Posted by PlayfulGenius

In the 30-team era, has a team ever been dead last overall this late in the season, and gone on to make the playoffs??

I get that there's a chance, but if Treliving is making decisions with playoffs in mind, he's foolish

I don't think you can count it at the beginning of the the 30-team era. It should be counted since the introduction of the Wildcard format. If it weren't for that, I'd agree Flames would have no chance. But as this year's standings show, Flames still have a pretty realistic chance based on the wacky Wildcard format of allowing 3 teams in each division in.