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

[868904]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

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.

I think there will be tons of options out there for the Vegas team to meet the cap floor. Lots of better veterans than Stajan who could sign one year contracts on good money.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by FBI

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

Agreed. Zero chance of that happening unless Flames make a side deal to provide another player in addition to Stajan.

[Rick M.]

I don't know what we have in Chiasson. Can someone who has watched him describe his skill level? Is he good enough to play with Bennett?

[Cantrader]

He can if he rediscover his game and gain confidence from his old coach . With the flames HC when they were both in Dallas, he had 6 goals in 7 games. Also he had 35 points before.

[868904]

Originally Posted by Rick M.

I don't know what we have in Chiasson. Can someone who has watched him describe his skill level? Is he good enough to play with Bennett?

I think he has the potential to be a Troy Brouwer type.

[Rick M.]

Originally Posted by 868904

I think he has the potential to be a Troy Brouwer type.

I hope you're right! I know some have him pencilled in with Bennett and others see him as 4th line material.

[edslunch]

I'm sad Sieloff didn't work out here. He brings an edge that's different from the stable of puck movers the Flames have developed.

I do wonder how prospects feel about the numbers game. The Flames have a bunch of D prospects but maybe one slot on the team, only if Smid goes LTIR. I know people will say "well if they can't beat out X then...." but I've never seen a prospect actually push a vet off the team. ( I've seen vets play themselves off the team but they are always given a chance).

F is more open with 2 clear spots. I'd love to see them stay open and have serious competition among the prospects to fill them.

[868904]

Originally Posted by edslunch

I'm sad Sieloff didn't work out here. He brings an edge that's different from the stable of puck movers the Flames have developed.

I do wonder how prospects feel about the numbers game. The Flames have a bunch of D prospects but maybe one slot on the team, only if Smid goes LTIR. I know people will say "well if they can't beat out X then...." but I've never seen a prospect actually push a vet off the team. ( I've seen vets play themselves off the team but they are always given a chance).

F is more open with 2 clear spots. I'd love to see them stay open and have serious competition among the prospects to fill them.

Gaudreau, Monahan, and Bennett all pushed vets out. Giordano pushed Phaneuf out. It happens a lot, it's natural. We can't keep making excuses for prospects who simply aren't good enough.

[edslunch]

Originally Posted by 868904

Gaudreau, Monahan, and Bennett all pushed vets out. Giordano pushed Phaneuf out. It happens a lot, it's natural. We can't keep making excuses for prospects who simply aren't good enough.

You kind of made my point there. All of the players you mentioned made the team because there was a spot open. No vets were moved or demoted in camp to make room for them. Giordano made the team as a bottom pairing D and blossomed to levels no one could have predicted.

[bzoo02]

Originally Posted by edslunch

You kind of made my point there. All of the players you mentioned made the team because there was a spot open. No vets were moved or demoted in camp to make room for them. Giordano made the team as a bottom pairing D and blossomed to levels no one could have predicted.

Mason Raymond?

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[edslunch]

Originally Posted by bzoo02

Mason Raymond?

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He was demoted later in the year. Anyway, not wanting to argue. I agree with you that prospects earn spots and make vets redundant, I just think the rookie steals job from vet at camp scenario is a bit of a myth. At best they solidify their position in the call up pecking order.

I'm excited to see the camp battles this year. I think Chiasson is a lock but for a scoring role or a checking role? If he gets a scoring role then Hathaway is pretty much a given and Tkachuk, Shinkaruk, Pribyl, maybe Jankowski or Porier will fight for the other scoring role. Otherwise Chiasson takes the 4th line and those 3, 4 or 5 prospects fight over two scoring spots. Assuming no more pickups.

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

Chiasson is a fourth liner until he proves otherwise. He's had success in the past and he's a favourable position to move up the depth chart. The right side is weak, so if he can show he's got what it takes to get that offensive power forward game back, he'll shoot up that right side quickly.

[Poe969]

I think chiasson will start as a bottom 6 winger but he'll be given every oprotunity to be a top 6 guy and I wouldn't be surprised if he ends up being a regular on the top line

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by Pierre "Monster" McGuire

Chiasson is a fourth liner until he proves otherwise. He's had success in the past and he's a favourable position to move up the depth chart. The right side is weak, so if he can show he's got what it takes to get that offensive power forward game back, he'll shoot up that right side quickly.

I'd say 3/4 for us right now. I'd have him fighting with Ferland for a spot next to Bennett, whomever has the better camp gets the spot and the other starts on the 4th line.

[swo2k1]

Originally Posted by t0rrent98

Is he going to be able to wear #90?

For what it's worth the Flames website has him listed as 39.

[Demetric]

I Think they will test chemistry of everyone but the plan is to try him on top line and Brouwer with Bennet as a vet. That's what I took from BTs radio appearance

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[Calgary4LIfe]

I still remember the first season I saw Chiasson play in Dallas, I thought he was VERY noticeable and wished the Flames would find a way to acquire him. He bombed in Ottawa, but hopefully he continues where he left off in Dallas. He reminds me of a Charlie Coyle. He may never have high-output offensive seasons, but a guy that makes a difference and is noticeable whenever he is on the ice.

Ironically, Troy Brouwer is a guy I think of as a possible ceiling for Chiasson. That would be really good of course.

[Samonadreau]

That's the nice thing about preseason. You can play a guy like Chiasson in different spots and see how he does. Maybe there is a bit of a spark with Johnny and Monahan. That's probably the dream scenario. Leaves Brouwer to play with Bennett and Frolik with Backlund.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Yes, an Ottawa cast off that we aquired for next to nothing and sign to an 800K contract becoming an effective RW on our first line would literally be the definition of dream scenario.

That's the nice thing about sport, things like that do actually happen. But for any fans to have their hopes up for him to be anything more than effective regular bottom six forward simply isn't fair expectations on the player, or the team that brought him in. Until he proves otherwise, he's nothing more than a depth signing with some potential upside and the ability to create some internal competition.

[Calgary4LIfe]

I think given that he spent 2 years in Ottawa essentially losing confidence and perhaps being deployed incorrectly as to his strengths, I would expect Chiasson will need at least a good stretch to build himself back up. I think it will take a good half-season for him to really start settling-in, and we probably won't see what the Flames have until then at least.