2014/2015 Trade Speculation and Rumors

[Roof-Daddy]

Would Patrick Berglund benefit from a change in scenery, or has he just stagnated into a marginal 3rd line winger/depth player?

He's been passed by several guys in the Blues system, but he looked like he'd be a dominant #2 center in this league for a long time after his first few seasons.

[Glo Boyz]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

Would Patrick Berglund benefit from a change in scenery, or has he just stagnated into a marginal 3rd line winger/depth player?

He's been passed by several guys in the Blues system, but he looked like he'd be a dominant #2 center in this league for a long time after his first few seasons.

He's like their version of Backlund. Not worth it for us.

[heep223]

We need to focus on D and RW with top six potential (or top six now), IMO. Don't need to add another middle six C to the fold, we have depth there.

[Vinny01]

2 top 6 wingers and a #3D is what we need to take a big step forward next season.

I would like a big body RW that can finish to take a spot on the top line with Gaudreau and Monahan.

Inwould like Hudler to play on a second line with Bennett and either a LW or RW brought in to play with them. I think Bennett would benefit the same way Johnny and Monny did plying with Hudler.

Add a 2nd outing LHD to play with Wideman. Slide Russ down to the 3rd pair to play with Engellend. Schlemko/Wotherspoon as the 7th Dman.

Players inderconteact I hope get moved out are Raymond, Jones, Smid

[Mister Yamoto]

Originally Posted by Glo Boyz

We gotta upgrade the middle pairing if we really want to take a step forward next season.

Personally, I think Kris Russell is horrible and was very underwhelming this season.

Thanks Gio Boyz. Until now, I thought Kris Russell was awesome and he could still be even better.

I saw Kris Russell as the best D on the Flames when it mattered most. Best D in March. Best D in April. Best D in May. What the hell hell was I thinkin?

[Glo Boyz]

Originally Posted by Mister Yamoto

Thanks Gio Boyz. Until now, I thought Kris Russell was awesome and he could still be even better.

I saw Kris Russell as the best D on the Flames when it mattered most. Best D in March. Best D in April. Best D in May. What the hell hell was I thinkin?

He was never the best D. TJ Brodie did much, much more with less then Russell did.

Like I said before, Russell blocked an absurb amount of shots last season, and was generally good with his breakout passes, but he was horrendously out shot whenever he was on the ice, and generally looked overwhelmed when the pressure started to turn up.

He would be the ideal 3rd pairing D that can fill in on a second pairing when theres an injury. Not a second pairing filling in on the first. That's a recipe for disaster.

[heep223]

Originally Posted by Glo Boyz

He was never the best D. TJ Brodie did much, much more with less then Russell did.



Like I said before, Russell blocked an absurb amount of shots last season, and was generally good with his breakout passes, but he was horrendously out shot whenever he was on the ice, and generally looked overwhelmed when the pressure started to turn up.



He would be the ideal 3rd pairing D that can fill in on a second pairing when theres an injury. Not a second pairing filling in on the first. That's a recipe for disaster.

The fact that you said he's a bad skater really discredits anything else you say on this topic unfortunately.

[Huntingwhale]

Originally Posted by Glo Boyz

He would be the ideal 3rd pairing D that can fill in on a second pairing when theres an injury. Not a second pairing filling in on the first. That's a recipe for disaster.

Kris Russell is a top 4 defenceman in the NHL, period. Injuries to Gio caused him to play perhaps more then he was used to, but he filled in admirably when it mattered most. That ''recipe for disaster'' got us to the 2nd round.

We were supposed to be bottom feeders in contention for McDavid. We took a huge step forward and made it to round 2. Russell was a huge reason for that.

Having Russell on our bottom pairing (if that happened) would suddenly mean we have one of the deepest defences in the league. I agree with you there, I'm all for that. But that's hard as hell to do. In the perfect world we'll find that player that allows us to do that AND injuries won't play a factor. But #### happens. You make it seem like Russell is the new Anders Eriksson.

[sureLoss]

Oh look a trade!:

Dhiren Mahiban @dcmahiban
The #TBLightning have acquired D Daniel Walcott from #NYR in exchange for a 7th-rd pick in the 2015 #NHLDraft

Let there be marveling at how a trade can occur after the trade deadline.

And yes Nancy, Walcott isn't eligible for the cup finals.

[1qqaaz]

Originally Posted by Huntingwhale

Kris Russell is a top 4 defenceman in the NHL, period. Injuries to Gio caused him to play perhaps more then he was used to, but he filled in admirably when it mattered most. That ''recipe for disaster'' got us to the 2nd round.

We were supposed to be bottom feeders in contention for McDavid. We took a huge step forward and made it to round 2. Russell was a huge reason for that.

Having Russell on our bottom pairing (if that happened) would suddenly mean we have one of the deepest defences in the league. I agree with you there, I'm all for that. But that's hard as hell to do. In the perfect world we'll find that player that allows us to do that AND injuries won't play a factor. But #### happens. You make it seem like Russell is the new Anders Eriksson.

I agree. There are very few if any teams in the NHL in which Russell would not make their top 4. The fact that he had 7 points in 11 playoff games is pretty impressive. His goals were both huge.

Russell being on the first line may not have been great, but it definitely wasn't a disaster. The Flames did make the playoffs and win a round with him playing a lot of minutes.

[codynw]

Pretty big deal. I think that one deserves it's own thread.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by 1qqaaz

I agree. There are very few if any teams in the NHL in which Russell would not make their top 4. The fact that he had 7 points in 11 playoff games is pretty impressive. His goals were both huge.

Russell being on the first line may not have been great, but it definitely wasn't a disaster. The Flames did make the playoffs and win a round with him playing a lot of minutes.

He was also a minus 9. I think his small size caught up to him in the Ducks series. I like him but I think he should be paired with a big partner, maybe Engelland since he's a right shot. If that makes him not part of the top 4, well so be it but what I'd like is to have the defence TOI to be more evenly distributed amongst all 6 defencemen. Saying this we need a partner for Wideman. Why isn't Wotherspoon ready yet?

[Badgers Nose]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

He was also a minus 9. I think his small size caught up to him in the Ducks series. I like him but I think he should be paired with a big partner, maybe Engelland since he's a right shot. If that makes him not part of the top 4, well so be it but what I'd like is to have the defence TOI to be more evenly distributed amongst all 6 defencemen. Saying this we need a partner for Wideman. Why isn't Wotherspoon ready yet?

I think everyone is hoping Spoon is the guy next season. It will complicate things if he isn't.

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

D Dean Kukan - 6'2'' 198lbs 21 years shoots L
http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=66177
a Swiss national playing in Sweden's pro leagues
according to his agent has a NHL offer on the table along with multiple invites to join a NHL teams in training camp for the 2015/2016 season
also according to his agent, good chance he stays in Sweden - going to do what is best for his development

The Blue Jackets signed Kukan today

[Caged Great]

Originally Posted by New Era

Where do they find those guys though, and to get them, what is the acquisition cost going to look like?

Paul Martin and Christian Ehrhoff are both UFA's that will get between 5-6 million on UFA day

Sekera and Franson (although I don't like the latter much) are also going to get contracts in that ball park, so they only cost cash.

A player like Garrison cost the bolts the 50th overall pick in last draft. That doesn't mean that we need to use picks though. We do have an inordinate amount of forward veteran and prospect depth, which is something that a lot of teams need.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Oh look a trade!:

Dhiren Mahiban @dcmahiban
The #TBLightning have acquired D Daniel Walcott from #NYR in exchange for a 7th-rd pick in the 2015 #NHLDraft

Let there be marveling at how a trade can occur after the trade deadline.

And yes Nancy, Walcott isn't eligible for the cup finals.

I wonder what it would feel like to get traded to a team this late and then watch them win the cup?

Obviously you can argue it shouldn't feel bad as he wasn't part of the team til now so he isn't missing anything. But on a human level, that would have to be a little tough on the old psych to sit there as part of an organization as they win a cup.

You come into a training camp where your team has just achieved their life-long dream and you're kind of like "yeah so guys, let's go all the way again....for me!!!!".

[DionTheDman]

Justin Pogge eyeing a return to the NHL

"I would love a deal that would give me the best chance at getting back into the NHL," Pogge told Dhiren Mahiban of Pro Hockey Talk. "A one-way deal would ideal."

Pogge, 29, currently plays for Farjestad BK of the Swedish Hockey League.

He earned a record of 13-13-0 with a goals-against average of 2.01 and a save percentage of .926 in 30 appearances for the squad.

[Glo Boyz]

Originally Posted by heep223

The fact that you said he's a bad skater really discredits anything else you say on this topic unfortunately.

When I watch Russell play, I don't think great skater. He's doesn't have the greatest acceleration, nor is he agile.

"Not a great skater" may be a bit of an overstatement. He's an average skater.

[theoforever]

Originally Posted by Glo Boyz

When I watch Russell play, I don't think great skater. He's doesn't have the greatest acceleration, nor is he agile.

"Not a great skater" may be a bit of an overstatement. He's an average skater.

Commentators always mention Russell's abilities to do sidestep moves, he looks agile to me. I believe he is a good 4th dman, and he has shown to be able to step into top line minutes. Considering his shot blocking and good first pass, I'm glad he is on our team.

[Glo Boyz]

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