2014/2015 Trade Speculation and Rumors

[Darkwater]

Originally Posted by Caged Great

I wouldn't be shocked if the Hawks just wanted to move Niem.... I mean Crawford for a D-man to replace Oduya, which both the Oilers and Sabres have.

A Klefbom for Crawford trade would make some sense.

Highway robbery for the Grease. Crawford is much better than he's being portrayed lately.

[heep223]

There is no way the Flames go with Ortio-Gillies. I just don't see anything really that's much of an upgrade on Hiller barring some crazy trade or something. Don't see where Friedman is really going with that and it's really not like him to throw random stuff out there like that.

Split time between Hiller and Ortio next year, seems like a pretty good situation to me? Let Gillies start his pro career in the AHL.

[Mass_nerder]

I don't think goaltending is the major issue in Edmonton. Look at dubnyk...Yeah, he has benefited from playing behind a much better defence, but isn't that the point? He is obviously at least a 1a starter, but looked like an echl goalie in Edmonton.
Edmonton can't afford to get rid of any defence just to bring in a decent goalie destined to be hung out to dry by the worst d core in the league.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

I think Crawford is indeed a product of his team.

Danger Save Percentage

Player		Low	Medium	High
Dubnyk(EDM2k13) 95.61	93.59	86.27	
Dubnyk(MIN)	97.79	94.39	85.77	
Price		97.55	94.88	85.14
Schneider	97.15	92.92	85.57
Varlamov	97.01	92.86	84.11
Dubnyk(ARI)	97.41	88.89	83.97
Crawford	98.09	92.71	83.15
Ramo		96.94	91.70	82.89
Dubnyk(EDM2k14)	95.87	89.67	79.68

Adjusted Save percentage:

Player		Adj%	Sv%
Dubnyk(MIN)	93.88	93.61	
Price		93.79	93.34
Schneider	93.30	92.53
Crawford	93.23	92.41
Varlamov	92.93	92.13
Dubnyk(EDM2k13) 92.88	92.06
Rask		92.48	92.24
Rinne		92.43	92.25
Ramo		92.30	91.20
Quick		92.28	91.40
Lundqvist	92.27	92.24
Elliott		92.23	92.22
Dubnyk(ARI)	92.14	91.62
Dubnyk(EDM2k14)	90.49	89.38

I think you have to give Crawford credit. His save percentage is a good bit worse than his adjusted save percentage. Contrast that with a guy like Quick, whose save percentage is inflated by his team's system.

[dammage79]

I can see Cam Ward in a Flames Jersey, but to me it's such a razor thin upgrade over Hiller when looking square at the numbers.

The Canes have Khudobin locked in for another year and Hiller has at the very least proven he can be a solid 1a/b option. Seems like a decent fit for Carolina if Freidmans theory proves correct.

I have to say I am curious how Ward would fare with a fresh start on a new team. The reward for the Flames could be exponential. And the risk is minimal as we know he can at least carry the same level of play as Hiller and Ramo did this year. As he did so by backstopping a really bad Carolina team.

Honestly it is really interesting to me how many different paths the roster can take this year.

[Caged Great]

Originally Posted by Darkwater

Highway robbery for the Grease. Crawford is much better than he's being portrayed lately.

Yes, Klefbom wouldn't likely be the only thing going to Chicago in that deal but honestly other than Nurse, he's the only D-man that's worth anything. It is Edmonton afterall.

Crawford is better than Niemi, but he hasn't been very good in the playoffs and they have two other equally talented guys, so there is that.

Buffalo would likely make more sense as they have about 10 good D prospects.

[FlamesAddiction]

I hope we don't burn any major assets getting a starting goalie. Hiller (or Ramo if he signs) would be fine until one of Orito, Gillies or McDonald pans out. If none do, then it is probably time to start thinking trade. Remember, we are still rebuilding despite the recent success.

I do hope that Ortio makes the team next season though.

[Crumpy-Gunt]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

I hope we don't burn any major assets getting a starting goalie. Hiller (or Ramo if he signs) would be fine until one of Orito, Gillies or McDonald pans out. If none do, then it is probably time to start thinking trade. Remember, we are still rebuilding despite the recent success.

I do hope that Ortio makes the team next season though.

I think Ortio will be on the team since he is no longer waiver exempt and management dont seem to like the idea of carrying 3 goalies with the big squad + Gillies is almost sure to get the job in the AHL so it only makes sense. I think Ramo will earn a nice cheque somewhere else and we will go with Hiller and Ortio with Gillies in the AHL.

Unless we sign a goalie, keep Ortio in the AHL another year and have Gillies as his back up or starting his career in the ECHL. Kind of unfair to Orts and a lot less likely

[sureLoss]

Friedman speculating Franson is a perfect fit for the Flames.

Doesn't need to be top pairing offense or 2nd pairing shutdown on the Flames. Is likely a 4-5 d-man on a good team.

Only question is the cost and how he will fit in cap management with Giordano, Gaudreau, Monahan needing new contracts. He also thinks Toronto will try to bring him back and may be the main competition in signing him.

[Poe969]

Franson will want big money but I think playing like poop for the preds will lower what he gets. I wouldn't mind him on this team but it would have to be around 4-4.5 for no more than 4 years.

[sureLoss]

According to Friedman, Franson turned down a $13 million 3 year deal from the Leafs before being traded. Friedman says from what he heard he was happy in Toronto and did not turn the offer because he didn't want to stay there.

[Poe969]

Ya, I see him as someone who's going to want to get paid big. A team like the oil or panthers will probably throw 5+ for 5 years at him.

[sureLoss]

Molberg and Pinder say they have heard that Smid will not play again.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

I think Crawford is indeed a product of his team. I'm hoping the Oil overpay to get him and then he'll get exposed for an average-at-best tender.

I believe the truth is somewhere in the middle as always. If Crawford is a product of his team wouldn't that mean the Wild were a product of Dubnyk because before he got there he was a mess. No they weren't because they were playing well defensively and simply didn't have a goaltender that could make the stops that you expect of a quality starting goaltender. The Wild simply needed a guy that could stop the puck. I think if you give the Hawks a below average starting goaltender that they like the Wild also start to go south. I don't think that Crawford is a top 5 goaltender but he's definitely top 15 which is all a really good team needs. He's also considerably better than any goaltender on the Oilers roster.

[puds]

Dubnyk was pretty bad in Nashville from what I recall and they play a system oriented, stifling defensive game. I think it just took a while for him to be free of the Oiler effect. That said I don't think I would want to offer him a huge contract. It could end up being a huge win but could also be an anchor. I'd be fine acquiring Ward provided the price was low.

[Buff]

Originally Posted by puds

Dubnyk was pretty bad in Nashville from what I recall and they play a system oriented, stifling defensive game. I think it just took a while for him to be free of the Oiler effect. That said I don't think I would want to offer him a huge contract. It could end up being a huge win but could also be an anchor. I'd be fine acquiring Ward provided the price was low.

I don't remember where I heard or read it, but it was said that the Predators were unhappy with Dubnyk's work ethic in practice. So, perhaps some blame for his poor play in Edmonton could be on him but he also was improperly coached on a poor team that was all affected by improper coaching and management.

[GreenLantern]

I do remember thinking "Wow, he really should have had that one." more than a few times this playoff run. Goaltending was a weakness for the Flames, not every game, but enough to make it noticeable.

My understanding is that Hiller and Ramo were brought in to give them a chance at proving themselves while also giving the Flames a chance to win. Nobody was necessarily expecting either to play lights out, but they both performed to task while even exceeding expectations at times. Playoffs were a huge bonus no matter which way you look at it.

That being said, performing to task isn't what will win you a Cup and you need to exceed expectations on a consistent basis, until that exceptional play is what is considered the new expectation.. if Ward is brought in both Ramo and Hiller need to be gone to make room for Ortio.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Molberg and Pinder say they have heard that Smid will not play again.

I have assumed the same, but that sucks if true. Seems like a great team guy and would have been nice to see him as a lower pairing guy in the playoffs. All the best to him.

[Poe969]

Poor guy, he had just got here and showed he can play and be a good bottom pairing guy. I'm blaming this on the oilers, let that be a lesson to young players out there; if you play on the oilers, you'll have a shorter career.

[Flash Walken]

What a rough season for smid.

Starts the season with some survivorman styled grotesque mouth infection, gets his remaining teeth pulled, then has career ended a couple of months later on a succession of hits, one that is seriously dirty.

More cannon fodder for Steve Montador's family I guess. Another opportunity the league had to review and discipline a clear hit to the head, but nada, and another career ended as a result.