[Trade] Flames acquire RW Alex Chiasson and sign him to 1 yr deal ($800k)

[Crumpy-Gunt]

I dont think he's bitter. He has always been a very intense, serious and blunt guy since his first interview I remember with that cute flames chick a few years ago. He got was injured for almost a full year, he was surpassed by other d-men. There is a huge logjam in his position. He is happy to go.

Everytime I have heard him speak I've always come away thinking he has a great attitude and is a born leader. Hes not the type to whine about the numbers game or put blame on anyone. He was injured. He got passed on the depth chart. The Flames didnt do that and he knows it.

I think he means he is happy to get a fresh opportunity on a team with more of a chance for him. I dont think he's been mismanaged or anything. Or that he left upset with the Flames organization. Anytime you can go from being d-man prospect number 10 in an organization with a small chance of cracking the NHL lineup in the near future, to being acquired by a team that likes you enough to give up a NHL winger - and has less prospect depth on D and a less difficult to crack lineup on D, you would be happy to leave.

I wish Pat all the best. I lived in Ottawa and like the Sens so I will be watching him closely and hoping he lives up to his potential.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by Fire of the Phoenix

Yeah, it's just one of those things. I'm not trying to assign blame or anything, some of his comments just struck me as slightly bitter, but I might be reading too much into it. Sometimes it's up to the players to help fix that numbers game by playing so good that you force the GM's hand. No one really did that in Stockton this year, and it's no ones fault, it just is what it is. I think you're right about the RFAs though, BT is basically doing a soft reset to open up spots for guys.

The thing with Stockton in particular - is our defense actually played really well - the five of Sieloff, Kylington, Kulak, Wotherspoon, and Nakladal all deserved playing time - It was arguably the best puck moving defense in the division after Texas. But there were more than six able bodies and you always had a guy like Stevenson in the lineup to punch face or a Yonkman/Johnson to "lead".

2015

Potter (AHL/Pressbox)
Wotherspoon
Ramage
Culkin
Cundari
Acolatse
Sieloff
Kulak
Yonkman (AHL)
Stevenson (AHL)

2016
Kulak
Nakladal
Wotherspoon
Sieloff
Kylington
Morrison
Culkin
Johnson (AHL)
Stevenson (AHL)

[Enoch Root]

Yeah, he didn't sound bitter at all to me, it just hasn't worked out for him in Calgary and he wants a fresh start. He's a well spoken kid with a good attitude and I hope he makes it.

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

lol all you like but if Stajan was put on the right side of Monahan and Gaudreau you don't think he could get 50 points? I am not saying it will happen but if it did I could see him doing it, he is a more skilled player than you give him credit for. Hell, my dog could hit 30 points playing with those two.

Playing with good players can be pretty difficult. You need to be able to think and skate the game at their same pace. I don't think Stajan has that in him now.

[Karl]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

lol all you like but if Stajan was put on the right side of Monahan and Gaudreau you don't think he could get 50 points? I am not saying it will happen but if it did I could see him doing it, he is a more skilled player than you give him credit for. Hell, my dog could hit 30 points playing with those two.

That would be nice, but it's not always that simple. Also, if anything, since Stajan shoots left, I'd rather have him as a left-winger. I doubt Staj has enough ability to hit 50 points anymore even playing with Johnny & Mony and enough speed to keep up with those two. He just ain't what he used to be. But if, for whatever reason, they do try that, I'd personally be interested to see how it goes.

He did look good in his last 5 games when he was moved to the wing last year, especially playing with Backlund, so I guess Matty playing well with Johnny & Mony is not completely out of the realm of possibility.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

lol all you like but if Stajan was put on the right side of Monahan and Gaudreau you don't think he could get 50 points? I am not saying it will happen but if it did I could see him doing it, he is a more skilled player than you give him credit for. Hell, my dog could hit 30 points playing with those two.

Based on what Matt Stajan did in one game on Mikael Backlund's wing, I predict Matt Stajan will win the most dominant Art Ross trophy since Malkin in 2012.

[Karl]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

Based on what Matt Stajan did in one game on Mikael Backlund's wing, I predict Matt Stajan will win the most dominant Art Ross trophy since Malkin in 2012.

Didn't he play 2 games on Backlund's wing?

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

Playing with good players can be pretty difficult. You need to be able to think and skate the game at their same pace. I don't think Stajan has that in him now.

I think he thinks the game well enough that he'd more successful than some give him credit for. But I do not see him being a 50 point guy again. But I think he can get 30-35 in the right role.

[Karl]

Originally Posted by killer_carlson

If Matt Stajan is a top 6 player for us next season we may as well start the lottery watch now.

Giving up on your team already. You're so sad.

[Calgary4LIfe]

I don't see how Stajan will contribute much on the top line. I don't doubt that he would at least be in spitting range of 50 points, but what will he really be adding to that line?

He doesn't add speed to that line. He doesn't add any physicality really. He isn't going to be digging pucks out of the corner, or creating turnovers with his forecheck. He doesn't have a blazing shot. Sure, he isn't too bad of a playmaker, but that is about it. He just won't compliment that line and be able to really help Gaudreau and Monahan.

Hartley kept trying to use Ferland, Colborne, Jones, Shinkaruk (which is a bit of an outlier) and even Bollig for a game (lol). Hartley identified (correctly, imo) that the line needed a physical presence that could keep up, help dig out some of the picks from the corners and help maintain possession in the offensive zone. Being a strong net-front presence with a good shot was an added bonus.

I just don't see how Stajan is really going to be adding value to that line. Yes, his point totals will increase. He won't be an offensive black hole by any means. I just don't see him as making life any easier for Gaudreau and Monahan. I think at least cycling Ferland, Colborne, Chiasson, Jankowski, Poirier, etc., be of more benefit longer term. If the want to get Stajan a more offensive role, the 2nd or 3rd line winger spot would be more favorable.

Gaudreau and Monahan I would argue are also both past the point where they need mentoring anyways. They both seem to 'get it' now, as we have been witnessing.

[t0rrent98]

Is he going to be able to wear #90?

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by t0rrent98

Is he going to be able to wear #90?

He'd be able to, if he chooses. But he wore #9 in college, #29 in the AHL, #12 in Dallas and #90 in Ottawa; I'm not sure if he has a preference.

[Caged Great]

Stajan was terrible last year due to the fact he lost a step speed wise.

Unless that changes somehow, he is probably better off not being in the lineup, let alone being used as anything more than a filler 4th line winger.

Personally, I'd give him the training camp to show whether he still has it and if so, keep him as a depth guy, or if not send him to Stockton. Having the 3.125 million in dead cap space is disappointing, but the player replacing him will be making the league minimum or close to it, so the Flames are not going to be out anything additional on top of his cap hit. Having Hathaway or a Derek Grant playing on the 4th line would make more sense in terms of making the Flames the best team possible.

Ideally the team would be set up

Gaudreau-Monahan-New UFA/trade
Shinkaruk-Backlund-Frolik
Tkachuk-Bennett-Colborne or Replacement via UFA or Ferland in a worst case scenario
Bouma-Grant-Chaisson
Hathaway

[Karl]

Originally Posted by Caged Great

Stajan was terrible last year due to the fact he lost a step speed wise.

Unless that changes somehow, he is probably better off not being in the lineup, let alone being used as anything more than a filler 4th line winger.

Personally, I'd give him the training camp to show whether he still has it and if so, keep him as a depth guy, or if not send him to Stockton. Having the 3.125 million in dead cap space is disappointing, but the player replacing him will be making the league minimum or close to it, so the Flames are not going to be out anything additional on top of his cap hit. Having Hathaway or a Derek Grant playing on the 4th line would make more sense in terms of making the Flames the best team possible.

I'd say it's almost 100% guaranteed Vegas won't be taking him if he spends the year in Stockton.

This is why I'd keep Stajan on the team this year, to give him a chance for Vegas to take his contract from us. Rotate him between being in the lineup and the pressbox when necessary. Worst comes to worst, he sucks and Vegas doesn't take him in the expansion draft. Then we can buy him out next June.

[memphusk]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

I don't see how Stajan will contribute much on the top line. I don't doubt that he would at least be in spitting range of 50 points, but what will he really be adding to that line?

He doesn't add speed to that line. He doesn't add any physicality really. He isn't going to be digging pucks out of the corner, or creating turnovers with his forecheck. He doesn't have a blazing shot. Sure, he isn't too bad of a playmaker, but that is about it. He just won't compliment that line and be able to really help Gaudreau and Monahan.

Hartley kept trying to use Ferland, Colborne, Jones, Shinkaruk (which is a bit of an outlier) and even Bollig for a game (lol). Hartley identified (correctly, imo) that the line needed a physical presence that could keep up, help dig out some of the picks from the corners and help maintain possession in the offensive zone. Being a strong net-front presence with a good shot was an added bonus.

I just don't see how Stajan is really going to be adding value to that line. Yes, his point totals will increase. He won't be an offensive black hole by any means. I just don't see him as making life any easier for Gaudreau and Monahan. I think at least cycling Ferland, Colborne, Chiasson, Jankowski, Poirier, etc., be of more benefit longer term. If the want to get Stajan a more offensive role, the 2nd or 3rd line winger spot would be more favorable.

Gaudreau and Monahan I would argue are also both past the point where they need mentoring anyways. They both seem to 'get it' now, as we have been witnessing.

There is One thing Stajan does add. He can take a hit. That man is a crash test dummy. He gets belted and gets up 85% of the time.

[Calgary4LIfe]

Originally Posted by Karl

I'd say it's almost 100% guaranteed Vegas won't be taking him if he spends the year in Stockton.

I don't think Vegas takes him unless he really improves his numbers. Maybe that is the entire reason for pushing Stajan up the lineup as a winger.

[Caged Great]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

I don't think Vegas takes him unless he really improves his numbers. Maybe that is the entire reason for pushing Stajan up the lineup as a winger.

This.

If I was Vegas, Stajan would not be a player I would even consider.

I'd easily take Ferland or Jokipakka over him all things being equal. Easy to find other high dollar guys on other teams. The Flames have an abundance of youth in their organization. Why take the one mediocre veteran they have.

[Strange Brew]

Love the 1 year show me contract.

[FBI]

I think we are in dreamland / denial if we think Vegas is going to take Stajan... lol

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by FBI

I think we are in dreamland / denial if we think Vegas is going to take Stajan... lol

They do have a floor to hit. And the forward pool will likely be shallower than the defense pool (so maybe no Jokipakka). And he does provide leadership (and would only have one year left on his contract)

Not saying it will happen. But it's definitely plausible.