Friedman: Do the Flames zero in on Rodrigues?

[JackIsBack]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

This is silly. It won't happen.

I agree... or more like I hope it doesn't happen. Weegar is one of the best defensemen in the league at preventing opponents entry into our zone with control of the puck... this is huge and a huge thing for Sutter hockey, Weegar is right up there in this category with Devon Toews. He's not a flashy D-man like Makar, and therefore won't be getting that 9 million plus contract Edmonton was so desperate to give away, but he's the kind of D-man that helps your team win championships and I'm not sure why Florida traded him (Tkachuck for Huberdeau was a good trade considering the must trade situation we were in, getting Weegar, plus a mid level prospect, plus a number one pick - back the car up Ikea style, that was a steal).

[The Yen Man]

I don't think they would have made that video of Weegar visiting the city and the Dome just to turn around and flip him in another trade before the season even began. Even without an extension in place, he's here till at least the trade deadline IMO.

[mile]

More on Rodrigues. His agent says the Flames might be in the conversation.

https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/...ft-where-going

His agent, Darren Ferris, told ESPN that there are "a good seven or eight teams" he's having discussions with about Rodrigues and hopes to have something done soon.

"There are two or three teams that we feel he's a good fit with, but there are cap restraints. There are guys trying to move [money] to make room for it," said Ferris, who took over representation of Rodrigues from Peter Fish during the offseason.


One of those teams is the Penguins, who are capped out at the moment after a summer of reuniting the band (new contracts for Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang and Bryan Rust) in addition to bringing on defenseman Jeff Petry. The Calgary Flames have shown interest in Rodrigues, and Ferris said they "may be in that conversation as well."

Whatever contract Rodrigues ends up signing probably won't reflect his true value. As the season nears, it's looking more likely that Rodrigues should ink a one-year contract, prove himself and then circle back next summer for something with term. It's the same path that forward Andreas Athanasiou, another Ferris client, took in signing a one-year deal this summer with the Chicago Blackhawks worth $3 million.

[djsFlames]

I'd be all for a 1 year prove it contract.

That would get you by far the most value short term.

[FlamesAddiction]

His agent better hurry up. No one needs him that badly.

[cral12]

The Win Column looks at some "out there" options for veteran free agent forwards...

Other than Victor Rask & Joe Thornton (who I don't think comes here), I hadn't even fathomed other gents mentioned...time will soon tell...

Note: I prefer E-Rod to any of these IF we get him on a value, limited contract.

https://thewincolumn.ca/2022/08/29/l...algary-flames/

[djsFlames]

I prefer Pelletier to all of those options.

[bax]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

I prefer Pelletier to all of those options.

Sutter and Treliving aren’t going to gift Pelletier a spot though. He needs to come into camp and beat out a veteran to get it.

Huberdeau - Lindholm - Toffoli
Mangiapane - Kadri - Coleman
XXX - Backlund - Dube
Lucic - Rooney - Lewis
Ruzicka

This is how things look now. I think we’ll have a competition for playing time all year between Ruzicka, Lewis, Pelletier, and one or two more UFA guys added.

[Sandman]

I’m kinda surprised that Rask has those good defensive metrics. I thought someone posted numbers earlier this summer that showed he was useless.

Bit shocked about Brassard too.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by cral12

The Win Column looks at some "out there" options for veteran free agent forwards...

Other than Victor Rask & Joe Thornton (who I don't think comes here), I hadn't even fathomed other gents mentioned...time will soon tell...

Note: I prefer E-Rod to any of these IF we get him on a value, limited contract.

https://thewincolumn.ca/2022/08/29/l...algary-flames/

Joe would come to Calgary if the interest from the team was there. I don't think it is this though. For the record I grew up hanging out with the Thornton brothers, if Joe came to Calgary I would definitely be happy to come out there and arrange for some CPers to meet him and get some stuff signed.

[Hot_Flatus]

Originally Posted by bax

Sutter and Treliving aren’t going to gift Pelletier a spot though. He needs to come into camp and beat out a veteran to get it.

Huberdeau - Lindholm - Toffoli
Mangiapane - Kadri - Coleman
XXX - Backlund - Dube
Lucic - Rooney - Lewis
Ruzicka

This is how things look now. I think we’ll have a competition for playing time all year between Ruzicka, Lewis, Pelletier, and one or two more UFA guys added.

I would say it's pretty much a lock that Backlund-Coleman will be the third line duo that compliments Kadri-Mangiapane and Lindholm-Huberduea.

For me it makes too much sense that Pelletier would ride shotgun on the Backlund line and benefit greatly from a year playing alongside those 2 players.

[bax]

Originally Posted by Hot_Flatus

I would say it's pretty much a lock that Backlund-Coleman will be the third line duo that compliments Kadri-Mangiapane and Lindholm-Huberduea.

For me it makes too much sense that Pelletier would ride shotgun on the Backlund line and benefit greatly from a year playing alongside those 2 players.

I agree 100%, he just has to impress Sutter enough in camp to get that spot

[cral12]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

Joe would come to Calgary if the interest from the team was there. I don't think it is this though. For the record I grew up hanging out with the Thornton brothers, if Joe came to Calgary I would definitely be happy to come out there and arrange for some CPers to meet him and get some stuff signed.

this is amazing! cheers

[Reggie Dunlop]

Originally Posted by cral12

E-Rod

No. Just no.

[cral12]

Originally Posted by Reggie Dunlop

No. Just no.

The player and/or the nickname? lol

[memphusk]

Both.

[Calgary4LIfe]

I am ok with the Flames staying away from Rodrigues.

Do I want Rodrigues or Dube in the top 6? My answer is Dube. If the Flames can get someone BETTER than Dube is (ideally, someone who is better than Dube might be if he takes another small step forward as expected given his age and how he finished last season), then I hope they grab that player - assuming it works cap-wise. I just don't see Rodrigues as that guy at all given how he has only once scored double-digit goals in his career (last year) and only since he was playing in the top 6 due to injuries.

Huberdeau - Lindholm - Toffoli
Mangiapane - Kadri - Dube
Coleman - Backlund - X

That's the top 9 for me. Is Rodrigues a good bet for that that spot left open? Not sure I like him there really, as he hasn't produced much in the bottom 6 - and he is 29. Should we gift that spot to Pelletier? No, I don't agree with doing that either.

What I think the Flames should do this year is leave that spot open and have players compete for it. I do think that Backlund has a very good track record of being a great centre for a rookie/inexperienced player - Tkachuk, Bennett, Colborne, etc. Coleman is a smart 2-way player that will only help a kid break into the NHL, especially with his consistent work ethic and how he is not shy to 'bark' sometimes.

Who is part of this competition?

• Pelletier - he just had a rockstar rookie season in the AHL
• Ruzicka - 28 games last season under Darryl - deserves more I think
• Schwindt - organization is high on him, and he is supposedly close
• Jones - signed by Calgary this past-offseason, and has spent years already in the AHL developing - should be close as well
• Phillips - he probably deserves some reps in the NHL given his work ethic and attitude in the system
• Pospisil might be a better fit to cut his teeth on the 4th line, but certainly he has hands that can score and may deserve a look
• Zary - disappointing season, but he had a really good preseason last year I thought, right up until he got hurt. Tough start to his pro career.
• Dueher - another guy who looked good in preseason, but definitely a 4th liner

I am not sure I missed anyone, but by my count, that's 5-6 legitimate kicks at the can for that spot, plus another few that could maybe contest that spot. You aren't gifting it to anyone, but you are creating an opportunity for players to compete hard for it. I am very comfortable leaving that open for now unless a good opportunity through trade opens up.

[NegativeSpace]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

I am ok with the Flames staying away from Rodrigues.

Do I want Rodrigues or Dube in the top 6? My answer is Dube. If the Flames can get someone BETTER than Dube is (ideally, someone who is better than Dube might be if he takes another small step forward as expected given his age and how he finished last season), then I hope they grab that player - assuming it works cap-wise. I just don't see Rodrigues as that guy at all given how he has only once scored double-digit goals in his career (last year) and only since he was playing in the top 6 due to injuries.

Huberdeau - Lindholm - Toffoli
Mangiapane - Kadri - Dube
Coleman - Backlund - X

That's the top 9 for me. Is Rodrigues a good bet for that that spot left open? Not sure I like him there really, as he hasn't produced much in the bottom 6 - and he is 29. Should we gift that spot to Pelletier? No, I don't agree with doing that either.

What I think the Flames should do this year is leave that spot open and have players compete for it. I do think that Backlund has a very good track record of being a great centre for a rookie/inexperienced player - Tkachuk, Bennett, Colborne, etc. Coleman is a smart 2-way player that will only help a kid break into the NHL, especially with his consistent work ethic and how he is not shy to 'bark' sometimes.

Who is part of this competition?

• Pelletier - he just had a rockstar rookie season in the AHL
• Ruzicka - 28 games last season under Darryl - deserves more I think
• Schwindt - organization is high on him, and he is supposedly close
• Jones - signed by Calgary this past-offseason, and has spent years already in the AHL developing - should be close as well
• Phillips - he probably deserves some reps in the NHL given his work ethic and attitude in the system
• Pospisil might be a better fit to cut his teeth on the 4th line, but certainly he has hands that can score and may deserve a look
• Zary - disappointing season, but he had a really good preseason last year I thought, right up until he got hurt. Tough start to his pro career.
• Dueher - another guy who looked good in preseason, but definitely a 4th liner

I am not sure I missed anyone, but by my count, that's 5-6 legitimate kicks at the can for that spot, plus another few that could maybe contest that spot. You aren't gifting it to anyone, but you are creating an opportunity for players to compete hard for it. I am very comfortable leaving that open for now unless a good opportunity through trade opens up.

I like your take and feel similar. However, the organization is known for kicking tires and it really depends upon the value that takes priority. Does the team believe that depth is important in case of injuries? Does the team think that the remaining players are an upgrade on what they have presently? It really depends upon the priority the organization is looking at.

I can’t remember: was it last year that Treliving talked about the remaining free agents and he said that they weren’t an upgrade on what was already in the organization?

[Braden]

I understand having competition for the last spot, but then we are a single injury away from a bit more worrisome line up. Count me in for Rodrigues on a 1 or 2 year deal if the price is right.

[Nelson]

I’d be interested in Rodrigues. I think he slots in beautifully in the 3rd RW spot on a tough minutes line with Coleman and Backlund.

Huberdeau - Lindholm - Toffoli
Mangiapane - Kadri - Dube
Coleman - Backlund - Rodrigues