If you could pick one thing to happen at the trade deadline...

[Inferno]

What I would like to happen but can also be done this summer: Get a reliable goalie
What I think needs to happen: Get something decent for Hudler

[Tinordi]

Trading for another 1st rounder and at least another 2nd rounder would be my ideal. Don't care who gets dealt to get those if they aren't the core of Bennett, Monahan, Gaudreau, Brodie.

[getbak]

For me, there isn't "one thing" that would make me consider it successful. There are a few things I'd like to see, and having at least two (preferably three) of them happen would be what I'd consider a successful deadline...

• Russell & Hudler : Either sign to a reasonable extension, or trade for picks
• Jones & Raymond : Trade to anyone who will give back anything of value
• Hiller : Regardless of Ramo's prognosis, if there's interest in Hiller, move him // If Ramo is back before the deadline, move him if there's interest
• Wideman/Smid/Engelland : Move at least one, preferably 2 of them
• Acquire at least 3 additional top 75 draft picks for 2016
• Acquire a potential starting goalie for the remainder of the season and into next season

[combustiblefuel]

Originally Posted by getbak

For me, there isn't "one thing" that would make me consider it successful. There are a few things I'd like to see, and having at least two (preferably three) of them happen would be what I'd consider a successful deadline...

• Russell & Hudler : Either sign to a reasonable extension, or trade for picks
• Jones & Raymond : Trade to anyone who will give back anything of value
  
• Hiller : Regardless of Ramo's prognosis, if there's interest in Hiller, move him // If Ramo is back before the deadline, move him if there's interest
• Wideman/Smid/Engelland : Move at least one, preferably 2 of them
• Acquire at least 3 additional top 75 draft picks for 2016
• Acquire a potential starting goalie for the remainder of the season and into next season

This is the only thing I disagree with unless a goali is coming back.

I'm sure this is Hartleys worst nightmare aswell. It would be de ja vu for him from his days in Atlanta. That first year he lost scnider and heatly due to the car accident and both goalies due to injury.

The also just missed the playoffs. I don't think running a Ortio and Poulin tandam would gain much traction.

[Poe969]

We land Hamonic. As much as I want Russell and Hudler dealt, I think getting hamonic would be better. I think he's one of the pieces this team needs moving forward. I'd like a good return for our UFA's or to find a way to move wideman and some others but that could be done in the summer. I think if the isles want to move hamonic soon we should jump at the chance. If he isn't moved until the summer then I'd want a first + for Russell.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Just one thing?

Ok, regardless of what player in particular gets moved, we need to shed some salary ASAP. Cap possibly going down and if the dollar doesn't recover soon the Flames could be struggling a little financially (both at the gate and in terms of paying out salary in U.S. dollars). We have a LOT of overpaid veterans who aren't adding much to the team for what they're being paid. Not to mention the very likely raises due to Gaudreau and Monahan. Here's the shortlist of players who should probably be dealt for some cap relief:

Mason Raymond: $2.2 M cap hit to play in the minors.
Dennis Wideman: $5.25 M
Ladislav Smid: $3.5 M
Matt Stajan: $3.125 M
Deryk Engelland: $2.916 M
Lance Bouma: $2.2 M


I know that we will have some UFAs like Jones, Hudler, Hiller, Ramo, and Russell to help with cap relief, but that doesn't excuse some of the poor contracts we have. I'd like to trade at least 1-2 of the players listed above in addition to trading some of the expiring contracts.

[bubbsy]

Aside from the obvious moving of ufas, I'd like to see Wideman gone.

[Flames_F.T.W]

Trading off anyone of value (non-core), and acquiring a future core piece (Hamonic, Drouin, etc..) would be my ideal trade deadline. Then closing out the season with development in mind: Bennett back to centre, some young kids called up and Nakladal getting a solid look to see what we have.
Finish with a top 5 pick and I'm over the moon.

[Demetric]

Just trade all our UFAs

[indes]

Land Nichuskin

[Vinny01]

I want to be entertained with a consensus opinion that the Flames won the day

[Roof-Daddy]

One thing realistically?

Sell and add draft picks.

One thing optimistically?

Add another young potential core piece to the forward core, like Drouin or Nichushkin for example.

[wingmaker]

I will certainly be in the minority on this but I think Hudler should be re-signed. If the Flames want to accumulate assets, I think they should trade: Russell, Wideman (if possible), Jones, Colbourne, Backlund, Smid (if possible).

I know people love Backlund and he is still fairly young, but the Flames need point producers. Desperately. Hudler, even with a terrible first half, is once again putting up points. Even if Treliving brings in another point producer first line talent, they still could use Hudler's offence. Backlund does not put up points. With Bennett possibly moving to centre, Granlund, Stajan, Jooris, and one of the farm hands moving into a fourth line centre role, you can replace Backlund's minutes far more easily than you can replace Hudler's offence. There is absolutely nobody currently in the system that can step in, and with every other team looking for offence, it is not going to be easy to win trades or win over free agents to fill Hudler's role.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

The Flames actually need to be better at defending since they're bottom 5 in goals against. The offense is doing ok ranked 11th, so losing Hudler might hurt, but I'm betting that some of our prospects are ready to step up and do more next year (might be Laine or Puljujarvi too).

Trading Backlund, who is probably our best defensive center, would likely do more harm than good at this point. We don't really have enough players who can handle the defensive zone at center yet, so until we do, Backlund is likely an indispensable commodity. He adds enough offense to be an adequate 2nd line center, better suited to 3rd line duties.

[Benched]

get Edmonton's first. 'cause you know it'll be awesome again.

[PeteMoss]

Trade Russell. Not because of Russell the player but because it will ease a bit of a concern I have with Treliving overpaying for guys who should be in the bottom half of the roster.

[wingmaker]

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

The Flames actually need to be better at defending since they're bottom 5 in goals against. The offense is doing ok ranked 11th, so losing Hudler might hurt, but I'm betting that some of our prospects are ready to step up and do more next year (might be Laine or Puljujarvi too).

Trading Backlund, who is probably our best defensive center, would likely do more harm than good at this point. We don't really have enough players who can handle the defensive zone at center yet, so until we do, Backlund is likely an indispensable commodity. He adds enough offense to be an adequate 2nd line center, better suited to 3rd line duties.

Yeah I hear that. And I know that is the argument. The problem is if you compare this season to last, and I know you can't put it all on one player, you see what actually impacts success.

Last year, Hudler was on fire, rounding out a top line that was one of the most dangerous in the NHL. The Flames made the playoffs and won a round. Backlund, in contrast, was only ok last year. He was injured for much of the year, and he didn't make a big impact until near the end of the season.

This year, even though the offence has been productive, lead by Gaudreau and the back end, they can't pull away. They have not been able to win games. They are definitely lacking a killer instinct, or a dominating line that can be put out to pulverize the other team, like they had last year. Backlund, however, is having a great year playing with Bennett. He is forechecking well, he is defending well, he is creating some offence with Bennett. But he is not actually scoring. And so despite his good season, it isn't leading to team success.

The bigger factor in the defence this year from last, I believe, is goaltending. I think if you find a decent goaltender, the defence will take care of itself. Offence, however, will not necessarily take care of itself. I do not think Backlund will suddenly put up points. Bennett will hopefully become the centre on a productive second line, but you still need a top end winger to play on the top line to achieve that killer, deadly top line that was the bread and butter of Calgary's success last year. Without Hudler, you are basically hoping you can find someone to replace him.

I am not saying the team needs to get rid of Backlund. He is fine in his role. However, if the Flames need to make room on their salary structure, and simultaneously want to acquire more assets to use at the draft, then I think Backlund is less of a loss than Hudler is. Just my two cents.

[Steve Bozek]

Russell and a pick for Hamonic. (It rhymes, so it must be right)

[CroFlames]

Acquire Ben Bishop, sign him for 4 years.

[wingmaker]

Just to follow up my post. If the Flames could trade Stajan for a decent return and keep Backlund, I'd be all for it. I just don't think that scenario is realistic.