Spector: Kris Russell would net a 2nd line forward for sure

[shniper]

I wouldn't mind trying Russel between the pipes before we ship him out.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by troutman

Trades that help the team now are useless. We are back to a long range build.

Yeah I would be totally fine with trading Russell for draft picks. I don't see any trades out there that will have an immediate impact and it's looking like this is close to being a lost season. IMO moves should be only made looking to the future right now as it's evident this team still has major needs.

[polak]

Yeah screw a forward. We NEED a goalie.

[IgiTang]

We all see who is working hard and who is hungover from last year and just not getting it.

We need to move the guys not getting it and continue to aim for 2-3 years down the road.

Wideman, Russell, Backlund, Raymond, Jones and Bollig are all guys that can help other teams during the stretch run and throughout a season.
Buy they aren't players that can be depended on to be the go to guys night in, night out. At the moment anyway.

We need players who are either developing, or know what it takes to be accountable and depended on and are able to rise to the occasion.

Guys like Frolik coming on with long term deals are OK, cause he is still developing to a point and is still on the rise in terms of unmet potential.
But guys like Backlund continue to leave just wishing he was giving more.
I love Backlund and have always been a fan. But I feel we have guys who provide what he has and is, that are cheaper and younger.

Start making roster space and get back to the Earned not given mantra. The season is going to be rough. Flames staff need to call it what it is, a development and cupboard stocking season. Plain and simple. Let the Yahoo's up north and outwest battle it out for the last playoff spot this year.

We are only in year 3 of a complete roster overhaul. I still feel Hartley and Co. Are the staff this young team needs. Hartley is a great teacher. The old dogs just don't want to learn new tricks.

But Hartley movi.g all the fwds around trying to find a spark and moving Hamilton around to play with Russell, Engalland, Gio and soon to be Wideman(already tried on the PP) is what he needs to keep doing. Not benching him.

I feel Hartley is doing everything he can with the players he has. Time to start benching Vets and passengers. Make room for the guys in the A who have earned it and reward them with some cups of coffee.

I don't think picking up Skinner, Ward and others is the answer at all. Band-aid solution for a criticly injured team.

Keep pushing Bennett and Johnny. Let Money learn to do it on his own again, like he has proven he can. Then get him some talent.

[Moneyhands23]

I miss the Schlemcat