[Rumour] TSN: Flames covet top 9 forward as trade deadline nears

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by EldrickOnIce

I love the so called insiders.
Hang on... let me get my pen:
OK, so you say the Flames would like to add a scoring forward and a top 4 D?

Shocking revelation!
I am shocked!

Every team in the league has the same desires. LeBrun went out on a limb there.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by taxbuster

Pierre LeBrun expanded on his TSN comment:

Pierre LeBrun ‏@Real_ESPNLeBrun 25m25 minutes ago
More
The Calgary Flames' top need ahead of the March 1 trade deadline, in a perfect world, is a top-9 forward that... http://es.pn/2iSeoHU

The Calgary Flames' top need ahead of the March 1 trade deadline, in a perfect world, is a top-9 forward that can add a bit of jam to an offense that's 19th in the league. I don't think that player is out there for them right now but as the trade market loosens up next month it's something they will be looking for I think. Another desire, and perhaps it waits until the off-season, but it's a young blue-liner, no easy get. Whether that's before March 1 or in the summer, I think the Flames would also covet that piece.

Sometimes I have to wonder why this team even has a farm team. Either the drafting isn't good enough, the development not good enough, or management is adverse to letting young players find their way in the NHL. The only real impact players playing on the roster are the first round guys and an outlier in Gaudreau. We have seen guys like Gaudreau, Monahan, Bennett, Tkachuk go straight to the NHL but when's the last time they graduated a guy from the AHL on to the roster permanently? Ferland, Bouma, Hathaway maybe but they aren't impact players so I would have to say Brodie is the last impact player that came through their farm system? Simply not good enough.

[Toonage]

LeBrun is probably referring to a defenseman around 25-28. Young for a D is older than a young forward. If that makes any sense. Hockey people are funny.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Gotta overlook those prospects! Rather have an expensive veteran with no potential to get better making dumb mistakes than a young kid.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Toonage

LeBrun is probably referring to a defenseman around 25-28. Young for a D is older than a young forward. If that makes any sense. Hockey people are funny.

It's nearly impossible to get a solid 25-28 year old defensemen these days without paying a fortune. The only guys you are getting at that age are guys like Jokipakka.

[Toonage]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

It's nearly impossible to get a solid 25-28 year old defensemen these days without paying a fortune. The only guys you are getting at that age are guys like Jokipakka.

LeBrun noted that it would probably wait until the off season, so my guess would be a FA signing. But yes, either way (cap or assets) it will cost a fair bit.

[flambers]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

It's nearly impossible to get a solid 25-28 year old defensemen these days without paying a fortune. The only guys you are getting at that age are guys like Jokipakka.

Not to mention, Flames have to be super careful if they acquire a top 4 dman. As they can only protect 3 within the expansion draft.

I would think, the Flames will look at an older dman who is a pending UFA type of a player at the trade deadline.

I would be shocked if they moved serious assets to acquire a "25 to 28 year old" dman.

[TOfan]

Originally Posted by New Era

Gotta overlook those prospects! Rather have an expensive veteran with no potential to get better making dumb mistakes than a young kid.

Maybe the prospects aren't that good.

Have you ever heard anyone outside of Calgary talk about how good Rasmus Anderson is (as an example)? I haven't.

The only one who might get some mention is Jankowski.

If your dying to know how well these prospects will do, just think back to shinjaruk's stint here earlier in the year. Simply just not ready. Not sure what you would expect from any of the others.

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Sometimes I have to wonder why this team even has a farm team. Either the drafting isn't good enough, the development not good enough, or management is adverse to letting young players find their way in the NHL. The only real impact players playing on the roster are the first round guys and an outlier in Gaudreau. We have seen guys like Gaudreau, Monahan, Bennett, Tkachuk go straight to the NHL but when's the last time they graduated a guy from the AHL on to the roster permanently? Ferland, Bouma, Hathaway maybe but they aren't impact players so I would have to say Brodie is the last impact player that came through their farm system? Simply not good enough.

Our farm team up until a couple years ago was horrid. It takes time to fill the cupboards. I know Feaster gets a lot of credit for supposedly filling the cupboards, but i don't think he did as good as a job as some think. The Iggy and Bouw trades are looking like they brought us nothing. Poirier is young still but i'm not holding my breath. The only one I see out of that factoring in the NHL is Klimchuck , and i still think he is a year or 2 away.

[madmike]

Originally Posted by kyuss275

Our farm team up until a couple years ago was horrid. It takes time to fill the cupboards. I know Feaster gets a lot of credit for supposedly filling the cupboards, but i don't think he did as good as a job as some think. The Iggy and Bouw trades are looking like they brought us nothing. Poirier is young still but i'm not holding my breath. The only one I see out of that factoring in the NHL is Klimchuck , and i still think he is a year or 2 away.

I know Agostino is 24, but he leads the AHL in scoring, so it may be too soon to write off the Iggy trade. It's not Feaster's fault if the new GM let him go for nothing. Just too bad Agostino is a LW, which is the last thing the Flames need right now. If he had been a RW he might still be with the organization.

[jlh2640]

I want Jarome.

[Azhouse]

I don't

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by kyuss275

Our farm team up until a couple years ago was horrid. It takes time to fill the cupboards. I know Feaster gets a lot of credit for supposedly filling the cupboards, but i don't think he did as good as a job as some think. The Iggy and Bouw trades are looking like they brought us nothing. Poirier is young still but i'm not holding my breath. The only one I see out of that factoring in the NHL is Klimchuck , and i still think he is a year or 2 away.

I never thought Feaster was praised for filling the cupboards. I thought it was more for clearing the decks and getting cap space. At least, that was Burke's statement.

Treliving has done a better job, or at least tried to, via trades that netted prospects like Shinkaruk, or picks that have turned into decent prospects, like IMO the two highest potential Dmen.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by jlh2640

I want Jarome.

Agreed. I want a low cost replacement for Chaisson and the nostalgia with Iggy pushes him over the top for me

[442scotty]

Originally Posted by TOfan

Maybe the prospects aren't that good.

Have you ever heard anyone outside of Calgary talk about how good Rasmus Anderson is (as an example)? I haven't.

The only one who might get some mention is Jankowski.

If your dying to know how well these prospects will do, just think back to shinjaruk's stint here earlier in the year. Simply just not ready. Not sure what you would expect from any of the others.

Maybe we should bring some up and find out

[Roof-Daddy]

Quite comical that this teams biggest needs moving forward appear to mirror the last Flames core to a 'T'

Top line scoring right winger
2nd pairing, big physical defensive Dman
High level starting goaltender

If this team had prime Iggy, Reggie and Kipper they'd be pretty near unstoppable for the next 5-10 years.

Anyways, as for now I don't really want to see the Flames expelling any sort of assets for middling talent that really doesn't have much of a chance to push this team where it needs to be this season.

It's been a decent season of growth for the rebuild IMO. Unfortunate steps back from Brodie, Mony and Johnny, and a bit of a stagnated Bennett, but the overall team game has improved to the point where if the young talent returns to form, this franchise could easily turn into a perennial playoff team with potential to win a Cup or two.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

Quite comical that this teams biggest needs moving forward appear to mirror the last Flames core to a 'T'

Top line scoring right winger
2nd pairing, big physical defensive Dman
High level starting goaltender

If this team had prime Iggy, Reggie and Kipper they'd be pretty near unstoppable for the next 5-10 years.

Anyways, as for now I don't really want to see the Flames expelling any sort of assets for middling talent that really doesn't have much of a chance to push this team where it needs to be this season.

It's been a decent season of growth for the rebuild IMO. Unfortunate steps back from Brodie, Mony and Johnny, and a bit of a stagnated Bennett, but the overall team game has improved to the point where if the young talent returns to form, this franchise could easily turn into a perennial playoff team with potential to win a Cup or two.

IMO if they aren't going to make the playoffs they may be better off dropping into a top 10 pick as it's pretty clear this team still needs to hit on some more young players and the teams drafting history has been spotty with anything outside the top 10.

[Fighting Banana Slug]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

IMO if they aren't going to make the playoffs they may be better off dropping into a top 10 pick as it's pretty clear this team still needs to hit on some more young players and the teams drafting history has been spotty with anything outside the top 10.

They are pretty much already there. Very closely packed race, but if the Flames falter even a little, they would likely be in the bottom 10.

Having said that, given what sounds like a pretty weak draft year and with the Ping-Pong ball rules, I hope they keep pushing, and if they just miss, so be it.

[Classic_Sniper]

Anyone have any interest in bringing Joe Colborne back? I know he's struggling mightily with the Avalanche. But the entire team has essentially given up on the season. He's proven that he can be productive as a Flame and I'd bet if the Flames threw in a 7th round draft pick that Colorado would consider retaining salary on the deal as well.

The Why:
- 22 points in his final 22 games while averaging just 15 minutes a game
- Versatility: He can play centre or wing and can play up and down the line & on special teams
- Money in the shootout
- Above average faceoff %
- The Flames need a bigger body who can skate because after watching the Flames flunk against the Oilers this season, I believe we just aren't fast or heavy enough
- Chemistry with top line - Gaudreau and Monahan have struggled this season as well and perhaps reintroducing him on the top line could re-ignite previous chemistry. Gaudreau would benefit greatly with a player who can protect the puck with his body, strong along the cycle, good hands with a nose for the net.

[AC]

No.