[Rumour] LeBrun: Flames interested in Vrbata

[memphusk]

Originally Posted by flamesforcup

People are forgetting Vrbatas having a sick year. I would be down.

Like cough due to cold?

[Meers]

Vrbata is not a playoff performer.

He should also buy a vowel.

Pass.

[Fan in Exile]

Depends on the cost but why would we not be interested? He fits a need. Always did. Was expecting the Flames to look at him last summer too. As was already pointed out, he has more points than anyone on the Flames.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by dino7c

no kidding, two seasons ago 63 points in Vancouver

"he is only good in the last two cities he played"

it boggles the mind that people wouldn't want him (assuming a reasonable cost) considering he is outscoring every single player on our team this season

Vrbata had a great season in 2015. We played against him in the playoffs and he was useless. His points were in garbage time and looked invisible all 6 games

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

I am with you Comixzone. I also don't really want to go the rental route but if we do Iggy is the guy.

I hope they go after a younger guy with term. Nyquist maybe?

I still want them either standing pat, or big game huntin' (Landeskog).

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

Vrbata's Career:
Regular Season: .603 PPG
Playoffs: 0.426

Iginla's Career:
Regular Season: .842 PPG
Playoffs: .840

It speaks to who is a big game performer, and who is not. Iginla still brings an edge, competitiveness, and physicality at 39 that Vrbata has never shown in his entire career.

My preference on a rental (ultimately is simply not to pick one up):
1. Iginla
2. Sharp
3. Vrbata

Acquiring Vrbata is effectively acquiring 2016 Hudler (although probably the un-injured version of that Hudler). I'd much sooner get Iginla, have him be the 3rd line RW and push Brouwer down to the 4th line RW for a very strong ability to roll 4 lines.

Are you honestly comparing their careers?

Sure Iggy in his prime, everyone would take that

its about NOW though...Iggy is a shadow of his former self...Vrbata is two seasons removed from 63 points and is nearly on that pace THIS YEAR

Iggy also played on far better teams in the playoffs

[calgaryblood]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

Vrbata's Career:
Regular Season: .603 PPG
Playoffs: 0.426

Iginla's Career:
Regular Season: .842 PPG
Playoffs: .840

It speaks to who is a big game performer, and who is not. Iginla still brings an edge, competitiveness, and physicality at 39 that Vrbata has never shown in his entire career.

My preference on a rental (ultimately is simply not to pick one up):
1. Iginla
2. Sharp
3. Vrbata

Acquiring Vrbata is effectively acquiring 2016 Hudler (although probably the un-injured version of that Hudler). I'd much sooner get Iginla, have him be the 3rd line RW and push Brouwer down to the 4th line RW for a very strong ability to roll 4 lines.

Uhhhh have you watched Iginla at all in the last 3 years? He brings nothing of what you said.

You seriously just brought up career stats of a 40 year old?

Vrbata is a much better player than Iginla right now. Like it isn't even close.

[savardandjokinen]

If Iginla had never been a flame, none of you would want him.

[polak]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

Vrbata had a great season in 2015. We played against him in the playoffs and he was useless. His points were in garbage time and looked invisible all 6 games

The whole Vancouver team was useless.

Backlund had 2 points in those playoffs. Monahan had 2 more points in 5 more games....

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by dino7c

Are you honestly comparing their careers?

Sure Iggy in his prime, everyone would take that

its about NOW though...Iggy is a shadow of his former self...Vrbata is two seasons removed from 63 points and is nearly on that pace THIS YEAR

Iggy also played on far better teams in the playoffs

I disagree with your assessment of Iggy in the end. He's a product of the Avs system. I've watched his last 11 games now, and I see a fierce competitor. Vrbata is also out producing Landeskog (26 points) and Duchene (36 points) this year, and while I haven't watched enough of Vrbata this year to be able to say why he has 46 points - but I'm guessing I can fairly confidently say ithat prime PP time and quality of linemates are a factor.

Iggy is out to prove he can still play, and I think he can. I'm not comparing careers, I'm comparing historical regular season to playoff performance. We all saw what happened against Anaheim 2 years ago. Why would we give up assets to acquire a player like Hudler? We know he can't play in games like the ones we played against Anaheim (physically demanding games). We should not be adding players like that. I'd honestly take Doan ahead of Vrbata and put Doan on the 4th line and leave everything else the same. I don't think Vrbata is a fit, not for what we need - and I do think Iggy is a better fit.

That all said, I'm still saying bleh to a rental.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by calgaryblood

Where are you stats coming from? Boyle has 26 playoff points.

my mistake...the 7 points was a conversation about two seasons ago when Tampa went to the finals. 7 points in the 19 games that year.

my point was that their playoff numbers are comparable, one guy is the grizzled playoff vet and such a shrewd move...the reality is he has just been on better teams IMO.

[drewtastic]

Originally Posted by memphusk

Like cough due to cold?

As long as it ain't mumps!

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by calgaryblood

Uhhhh have you watched Iginla at all in the last 3 years? He brings nothing of what you said.

You seriously just brought up career stats of a 40 year old?

Vrbata is a much better player than Iginla right now. Like it isn't even close.

It's probably actually pretty close for all three of Sharp, Vrbata, and Iginla.

Vrbata looked like he was done in Vancouver last year but bounced back this year. Iginla looked okay last year, but this year looks done on a horrible Avs team. Sharp was good last year but injuries have hurt his game this year.

One season can be hard to gauge, but over the last two season the stats are pretty close.

Vrbata - Gp:124 G: 28 P: 73 +/-: -44
Iginla - GP: 142 G: 30 P: 65 +/-: -41
Sharp - GP:112 G: 27 P: 70 +/-: -19

Really with all three you are getting guys with some offensive abilities left, that aren't very good defensively but might be able to add some pop to you PP or scoring.

I would lean towards Sharp just because I think injuries have slowed him down this season more than anything, and he has the best recent history overall of performing down the stretch.

[N-E-B]

Originally Posted by dino7c

no kidding, two seasons ago 63 points in Vancouver

"he is only good in the last two cities he played"

it boggles the mind that people wouldn't want him (assuming a reasonable cost) considering he is outscoring every single player on our team this season

I don't get how anyone wants Iginla over him... people do realize Matt Stajan has more points than Iginla, right? Iginla doesn't have low totals because Colorado is terrible, he's part of the reason Colorado is terrible.

Iginla simply isn't a good option anymore. He makes way too much to justify it. If he was on a contract like Chiasson's then maybe but he's not a good option and I'm not surprised there's little interest in him.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

I disagree with your assessment of Iggy in the end. He's a product of the Avs system. I've watched his last 11 games now, and I see a fierce competitor. Vrbata is also out producing Landeskog (26 points) and Duchene (36 points) this year, and while I haven't watched enough of Vrbata this year to be able to say why he has 46 points - but I'm guessing I can fairly confidently say ithat prime PP time and quality of linemates are a factor.

Iggy is out to prove he can still play, and I think he can. I'm not comparing careers, I'm comparing historical regular season to playoff performance. We all saw what happened against Anaheim 2 years ago. Why would we give up assets to acquire a player like Hudler? We know he can't play in games like the ones we played against Anaheim (physically demanding games). We should not be adding players like that. I'd honestly take Doan ahead of Vrbata and put Doan on the 4th line and leave everything else the same. I don't think Vrbata is a fit, not for what we need - and I do think Iggy is a better fit.

That all said, I'm still saying bleh to a rental.

you are using their career numbers...that is exactly what your are doing, which is ridiculous since one guy is way older. Bobby Orr has awesome numbers we should get him.

like Hudler? what has he done lately besides score on his own net?

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by N-E-B

I don't get how anyone wants Iginla over him... people do realize Matt Stajan has more points than Iginla, right? Iginla doesn't have low totals because Colorado is terrible, he's part of the reason Colorado is terrible.

Iginla simply isn't a good option anymore. He makes way too much to justify it. If he was on a contract like Chiasson's then maybe but he's not a good option and I'm not surprised there's little interest in him.

don't you get it

Iggy has bad numbers because Colorado is terrible
Vrbata has good numbers because Arizona is terrible

MI Rite?

[zukes]

Agree with most in this thread, which is why I listed them:

1) Sharp
2) Iginla
3) Vrbata

Playoffs is just a different animal and guys like Vrbata are maybe better fits if you are acquiring a guy in the summer, a guy who can give you a consistent season of decent offensive production. Those days appear to be gone for Iginla (though there is something to be said for the team he plays for hurting him) and maybe for Sharp too.

However, come playoff time, give me the gritty guy who has scored in the past. I also think the playoffs are where we are going to get the real Troy Brouwer.

If we're going big game hunting, then obviously Landeskog or Duchene, hell even Eberle (feel gross a little) would be a target, but it better not be an overpay.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by alan21

Iggy! Still the better option!

While I am not opposed to Iggy coming back, Vrbata is the better player at this point. I have been saying for the past two months the Flames should get Vrbata.

[doctajones428]

Yes please. Right handed RW, 15 goals on a dreadful team, cheap UFA rental

[zukes]

Originally Posted by dino7c

don't you get it

Iggy has bad numbers because Colorado is terrible
Vrbata has good numbers because Arizona is terrible

MI Rite?

It is a strange argument, I agree, but different situations. Arizona is a bad team, but a bad team that tries every night and is building. Something has gone terribly wrong in Colorado and it has affected really good, young players like Landeskog and Duchene, as well as guys like Iginla. I think if any of those guys are traded, you see a completely different player.