Quote:
Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher
Wideman is in a contract year. You just tell him he's not going to play powerplay ahead of Hamilton and Nakladal and will be on your 3rd pairing. OR do you wanna go to a team where you'll be first unit PP and play in their top 4?
Easy choice for him to waive IMO.
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I don't think it's as easy as burying him in the lineup as he still has the final okay in the end. Other teams concerned about whether Wideman can still contribute in any form will want to see some form of bounceback and keeping him away from ideal opportunities hurts his appeal.
Not so much in regard to value as most fans would agree we'd be happy to gain the cap space as a return, but how many teams would be interested in trading for a potentially washed up defensively liability who cannot contribute offensively without some sort of reassurance.
Honestly he'd end up moving by next trade deadline guaranteed in the interest of both the Flames and him but that's too late if we want to give Nakladal a real shot.