2017 Trade Deadline Prediction: First Calgary Flames Player Traded

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by kyuss275

If flames are in hunt for playoff spot come deadline, i can't see them trading any d-men. Only way they trade Wideman or Engelland is if they are out of it. Same goes for Versteeg.

I can't see anybody being interested in Bouma, so he will stay.

I can't see any scenario apart from a sudden and massive onslaught of injuries that would put the Flames out of the playoff mix. The Flames will not trade any players at the deadline.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

I can't see any scenario apart from a sudden and massive onslaught of injuries that would put the Flames out of the playoff mix. The Flames will not trade any players at the deadline.

You don't think they would make a trade that would benefit the team long term? I know you have said this team is 2 or 3 years away from contending. I'd be surprised if they don't do something. This team isn't good enough, now or in the long run, to stand pat IMO.

[MarkGio]

If the Flames have an opportunity to buy low on Strome, they take it. They probably chase Laughton too.

The Flames have a struggling top 9 for production and have prospects struggling to crack the top 9. I would bet they stack the deck before they decide who to protect. The way they've been playing I wouldn't be surprised if they parted ways with certain players and obtained the assets needed to improve their chances without mortgaging it all.

[Samonadreau]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

You don't think they would make a trade that would benefit the team long term? I know you have said this team is 2 or 3 years away from contending. I'd be surprised if they don't do something. This team isn't good enough, now or in the long run, to stand pat IMO.

Any long term move this season has expansion draft implications. This could work for and against the Flames as there may be more players available but would mean exposing one other player. I could see the Flames trading for RW depth and that is about it. Any other moves will most likely wait until the summer. Just my Opinion obviously.

[MarkGio]

Here's my pipedream proposal:

Trade Deadline

1. Flames trade: Wideman (50% retained) + Lance Bouma
2. Bruins trade: 2nd

-- The Bruins are doing well and Bouma suites their style of play. They've also been reported to be looking at D, and since they're familiar with Wideman, they know what to expect

1. Flames trade: 2nd
2. Islanders trade: Ryan Strome

-- Strome has been struggling, the Islanders have a lot of better players to protect during expansion, so they get something for a struggling asset who they might lose anyways

1. Flames trade: F. Hamilton + Jokipakka
2. Flyers trade: Laughton

-- Laughton has been struggling for the past 70+ games for the Flyers and has even been relegated to the AHL after playing a full season last year. They're in the mix, and can use some depth players.

1. Flames trade: Elliott + Chiasson + 4th
2. Oilers trade: Slepyshev

-- Oilers need a back-up, RWer, and could always use a RD. Slepyshev can't quite crack their top 9 and it's not likely he'll do it soon with their forward depth.


Post-Deadline

JG - Money - Strome
Tkachuk - Backs - Fro
* - Bennett - Versteeg
Ferland - Stajan - Brouwer
Hathaway

Giordano - Hamilton
** - Brodie
*** - Engelland

Johnson
Rittich

* = One of Slepy/Laught/Klim/Mangi/Poir
** = One of Kylington, Andersson, Kulak
*** = One of Wotherspoon, Morrison, Culkin

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

You don't think they would make a trade that would benefit the team long term? I know you have said this team is 2 or 3 years away from contending. I'd be surprised if they don't do something. This team isn't good enough, now or in the long run, to stand pat IMO.

Of all the options provided by the OP, no, I do not believe that any of these players will be traded. The Flames are not going to move any one of their core pieces, and they will neither move out any of their players currently playing in the top nine / top four unless it provides a clear upgrade in a player coming in for the playoffs. I just don't think that sort of a trade will be available: Acquiring a replacement for Wideman or Engelland will likely cost more than the Flames will be willing to spend now. I expect more change at the draft and in the summer than I do at the TD.

[Brick]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Of all the options provided by the OP, no, I do not believe that any of these players will be traded. The Flames are not going to move any one of their core pieces, and they will neither move out any of their players currently playing in the top nine / top four unless it provides a clear upgrade in a player coming in for the playoffs. I just don't think that sort of a trade will be available: Acquiring a replacement for Wideman or Engelland will likely cost more than the Flames will be willing to spend now. I expect more change at the draft and in the summer than I do at the TD.

Why not just replace Kulak with Wideman, then. That would be an upgrade. Let Wideman sit out as he's too slow and a turnover machine. Brodie's game would probably improve partnered with Kulak, as well.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Brick

Why not just replace Kulak with Wideman, then. That would be an upgrade. Let Wideman sit out as he's too slow and a turnover machine. Brodie's game would probably improve partnered with Kulak, as well.

That might be an upgrade. I'm not convinced. The point is that the Flames will probably need 8–9 NHL capable defensemen heading into the playoffs. Subtracting Wideman does not make much sense against those numbers.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Of all the options provided by the OP, no, I do not believe that any of these players will be traded. The Flames are not going to move any one of their core pieces, and they will neither move out any of their players currently playing in the top nine / top four unless it provides a clear upgrade in a player coming in for the playoffs. I just don't think that sort of a trade will be available: Acquiring a replacement for Wideman or Engelland will likely cost more than the Flames will be willing to spend now. I expect more change at the draft and in the summer than I do at the TD.

Agree that better trades will be available at the draft but as a general rule, draft picks get undervalued at the deadline and then overvalued at the draft. I just don't believe this team is nearly good enough to be standing pat at the deadline so although I don't believe you build a champion by selling off players every year Iwould be shocked if Flames move no one as you predict.

[CaptainYooh]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

...Iwould be shocked if Flames move no one as you predict.

I agree. Lou Lamoriello in an interview about his predictions for the trade deadline activity yesterday said something that made a lot of sense to me. He guessed that most teams are not planning big moves now, because almost everyone is in a playoff race. But then, he said, all of a sudden one big move is made that nobody was expecting and other big moves start happening like dominoes, because these moves often leave holes that must be filled immediately.

[Ottoman Empire]

Pierre McGuire, when asked about tonight's upcoming Battle of Alberta, he said he was more interested in the Battle of Alberta "off the ice." He expects, since both are currently in the mix, to be active as potential buyers, one trying to beat the other to the punch re acquisitions. Interview was on Team 1040, Sekeres and Price mid-day show. Did not elaborate on what each team may be looking for but said he was certain they will be active.

[Wolfman]

i think the cost will be too great for the flames to spend on acquiring a top 6 forward. So they will just roll with what they have.

[Young_Guns]

Flames need to trade Ken King

[Caged Great]

It depends on how the Flames are doing over the next month. If the Flames are still in a wild card spot or are slightly out, I would sell anything that isn't stapled down. The Flames would not be that hard done by having Kylington and Andersson on defense, and a few of the kids like Shinkaruk and Jankowski playing for the last month.

While it may slightly hurt the chances at making the playoffs, I don't think it would impact it that severely as the likely candidates to trade are not key/core players.

[Karl]

First Flames player traded? Chiasson or maybe Versteeg. Can't see anybody else realistically being moved.

[Matty81]

Yeah I agree that the Flames should be partial sellers under any circumstances and full scale sellers if they really fall down. I hope Wideman is the first moved. I expect Versteeg will be the first... unless they are in the race still and then I think they will sell nobody... maybe someone from the farm and a pick for a rental.

I agree with others, that Wideman is below replacement value and Kulak or Wotherspoon could replace him on the roster with Engelland getting bumped up a slot. I think the team would be better off for it. He should be moved if at all possible to get anything of value back.

I have a harder time seeing them sell Elliott if they are still in the race just because Gillies and Rittich don't seem ready, unless they are ready to hand the mail to Johnson and are OK with McCollum getting 5 starts or so down the stretch. It would be nice to see one of the picks they dealt for him though.

Versteeg likewise, sell if out but keep if in the race. I think he might bring the best return which is crazy with him being a try out player in camp.

I'd also be happy to see them get any kind of asset for Stajan, Bouma or Chiasson as I think moving the first two clears cap room for next year and Chiasson is terrible. But I think that is a pipe dream unless the Flames retain money on the first two, which seems pointless. I am betting that Chiasson doesn't get qualified and is in Europe or the A next year.

[dissentowner]

If we are in it come deadline I still think the guy we should target is Vrbata. Having a great year and would probably come cheap and fills that #1 RW spot.

[Svartsengi]

I think the Flames trade one of Wideman or Engelland but not both before the deadline as long as they are still in it. They keep Versteeg and both goalies. if they fall out of it I can see both UFA dmen and Versteeg moving and have Elliot on the block. Keep Chad.

The only way the Flames can add a forward is if he has term/RFA after this season. Flames can't afford to move out high picks and or prospects for a rental given where they are in the standings. Strome may be available from NYI as some mentioned and Palat from Tampa. NOT interested in Kane from Buffalo.

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by Caged Great

It depends on how the Flames are doing over the next month. If the Flames are still in a wild card spot or are slightly out, I would sell anything that isn't stapled down. The Flames would not be that hard done by having Kylington and Andersson on defense, and a few of the kids like Shinkaruk and Jankowski playing for the last month.

While it may slightly hurt the chances at making the playoffs, I don't think it would impact it that severely as the likely candidates to trade are not key/core players.

I don't agree that those players are ready at all. But even if we assume that, rushing them to the NHL risks damaging their development. Kylington, in particular, needs to sort out a lot of aspects to his game - and the best place to do that is the AHL.

[CanucksWorstNightmare]

Elliott back to St Louis for Nail Yakopov.Flames then recall Rittich to backup rest of the way.Nail hasn't been given much for top 6 mins in St Louis to succeed once traded to Calgary and put on RW of Gaudreau and Monahan he goes on a tear and becomes the 1st overall pick he was supposed to be.