2015/2016 Trade Speculation and Rumors v2

[TheScorpion]

Originally Posted by Torrie the Whaler

too much toronto stink on him

That's hardly an argument.

What is 'Toronto stink' supposed to be? They aren't the Oilers, I don't think they're necessarily flawed. The Leafs definitely have competent management.

[Calgary4LIfe]

I am not against signing Reimer - as long as it isn't a long-term deal - but he has always flip-flopped from being really good to really bad at times. He hasn't shown consistency that you want to see in a goalie at his age yet - but is perhaps worth a shot on a 2 year deal. I wouldn't hate it - but I don't think he is much (if any) upgrade on Ramo (at least the Ramo that we know since the Flames signed him minus the start to this past season).

If it is a stop-gap, I would prefer the Flames sign a guy from free agency. If it is a legitimate average starter and better, I will be fine if the Flames give up solid assets for one. I myself like Kuemper, but that acquisition should be pretty low.

UFAs I would be interested in (in no particular order):

Ward
Reimer
Raanta
Khudobin (MAYBE - he was awesome at the start of his career)
Enroth (if the Flames are looking for an experienced backup to squeak out wins)
Johnson (from Buffalo) - he has pretty good numbers for playing in front of a fairly weak team, but I haven't watched enough of him to form a real opinion - 100% guilty of stat watching with him).

I don't think I really love any of these guys.

Trade targets for teams carrying a starter and a strong young goalie possibly pushing for starter/or expansion draft risk:

Pickard/Varlamov
Vasilevski/Bishop
Fleury/Murray
Anderrsen/Gibson
Dubnyk/Kuemper

I am sure there are more, but just the ones off the top of my head.

Seems like a buyer's market to me, though some of the goalies that have been rumored available would probably still be expensive (Bishop).

Howard I would entertain only if they do take Wideman and offer a serious sweetener. Howard would also help with the possible 25% rule for the expansion draft, so there's that going for him. Howard is probably a strong backup, and likely nothing more. I do think a team can have 1-2 over-paid contracts and still be competitive - not sure I want the Flames to use one on a glorified backup. Mantha + in return for taking Howard.

Dream trade (I don't do many of these.. so have patience):

Detroit:
Wideman

Calgary:
Howard
Mantha or Athanasiou
+B prospect or better

Calgary then sends Mantha or Athanasiou + 2nd for Bishop.

Calgary takes on salary for longer term - which sucks - but doesn't give up much to get a starter and a reliable backup that can play starting minutes 'decently' for stretches.

Not sure if that is enough for Tampa. Not sure if Detroit would be willing to give up so much to get rid of Howard (probably not - might as well keep him for the expansion draft).

Yeah.. nevermind.. I suck at fantasy trades.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

You keep saying this but that doesn't mean you are right. Reimer would be a mistake on a $5 million/season long term deal but at the right price he would be a solid addition to the Flames and a major upgrade on last season's goaltenders.

I hear you but that is the issue with Reimer. How much $ and term do you commit to a guy who has proven very little? I would go no longer than 2 years and I don't suspect that gets it done. I believe there is a good chance he is no better than a backup so you don't want to be paying starter money 3 years from now.

[Fire of the Phoenix]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

That's hardly an argument.

What is 'Toronto stink' supposed to be? They aren't the Oilers, I don't think they're necessarily flawed. The Leafs definitely have competent management.

The Leafs are one lockout shortened playoff appearance away from being ten straight years out of the playoffs. There is definitely a stink. It remains to be seen if new management can scrub the losing culture out of the once proud franchise's underwear.

[Jay Random]

It's a different kind of stink.

The Leafs have a history of acquiring more or less average players, hyping them way above their skill level, and plugging them into lineup spots beyond their ability.

The Oilers have a history of acquiring fundamentally flawed players, and trying to build a team based on a gross misunderstanding of what made them successful 30 years ago.

Average players don't need to be fixed, just played according to their abilities. Stajan was a serviceable #3-4 C for years after the Leafs traded him, and Phaneuf is an OK second-pair D. The Leafs called on them to do far too much, and they failed in those roles. (Pity they're paid so much, but that's another issue.)

Flawed players, however, need heavy coaching work to overcome their flaws, and even then, some things just aren't fixable. For instance, you can't give Taylor Hall a brain transplant.

[Robbob]

The problem with ufas is that you have to over pay in money and term. Chances are Reimer is offered a 3 or 4 year deal from someone. There is a fat chance he signs a 2 year stop gap contract for the flames. I do not want the Flames to make that commitment to goalie like Reimer.

[killer_carlson]

Originally Posted by Robbob

The problem with ufas is that you have to over pay in money and term. Chances are Reimer is offered a 3 or 4 year deal from someone. There is a fat chance he signs a 2 year stop gap contract for the flames. I do not want the Flames to make that commitment to goalie like Reimer.

I think that will be a short list. It's a buyers market this offseason, especially due to the expansion draft.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by killer_carlson

I think that will be a short list. It's a buyers market this offseason, especially due to the expansion draft.

It may be a short list but it only takes one team. I hope it's not the Flames.

[Torrie the Whaler]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

That's hardly an argument.

What is 'Toronto stink' supposed to be? They aren't the Oilers, I don't think they're necessarily flawed. The Leafs definitely have competent management.

they won nothing since 67
the only time they came close is when we gave them gilmour. everytime we traded for toronto players in the last 20 years we suffered....
that stink!

[Poe969]

The whole "he was in the leafs system so he must suck" argument is bs. That's like saying that only teams that have won the cup or "won something" have good players...not true. Look at the Flames, they haven't won the cup in too long have been below average for a few years, would it make sense for a fan of another team to say "we don't want Gaudrea, he has Flames stink on him. They haven't won anything in 30 years". Bad teams can have good players.

As for Reimer, I don't thin getting him on a 3 year deal would be too bad. The first 2 years he'd be the clear cut starter but by year 3 it would be a 1a 1b situation with Gillies ready to take over. I'd be fine with Reimer for 3 years but if they went after Ward this year, I'd want a 2 year deal max.

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by killer_carlson

I think that will be a short list. It's a buyers market this offseason, especially due to the expansion draft.

IMO its only a buyers market if the league approves an expansion team. If no expansion team then i think Reimer and his agent will have the upper hand. After Reimer i don't see another free agent even remotely close to being a full time starter and I'm not even that high on Reimer as is. It would only take one other team to start a bidding war and i think that team will would be Carolina. If no expansion, i would figure the least amount of term Reimer could be had for is 3 years and i could see him getting 4 years.

I for one am really hoping for expansion, only for the sole purpose that the flames can find a legit starting goaltender.

[Par]

Originally Posted by Poe969

The whole "he was in the leafs system so he must suck" argument is bs. That's like saying that only teams that have won the cup or "won something" have good players...not true. Look at the Flames, they haven't won the cup in too long have been below average for a few years, would it make sense for a fan of another team to say "we don't want Gaudrea, he has Flames stink on him. They haven't won anything in 30 years". Bad teams can have good players.

As for Reimer, I don't thin getting him on a 3 year deal would be too bad. The first 2 years he'd be the clear cut starter but by year 3 it would be a 1a 1b situation with Gillies ready to take over. I'd be fine with Reimer for 3 years but if they went after Ward this year, I'd want a 2 year deal max.

The problem I see with Gillies and MacDonald, is that, they are big guys and with the NHL, pushing for smaller pads and equipment, this may have a impact on their abilities to play in the NHL. I am just throwing this out, I may be way off.

[saillias]

They do the "we're shrinking the goalie pads!" thing every year. It doesn't work, it's like throwing a teaspoon of water on a wildfire.

[Rick M.]

Originally Posted by Par

The problem I see with Gillies and MacDonald, is that, they are big guys and with the NHL, pushing for smaller pads and equipment, this may have a impact on their abilities to play in the NHL. I am just throwing this out, I may be way off.

Both these guys have athleticism to accompany their size, so I'm not worried about smaller pads, etc.

[bax]

It will be interesting to see what the Penguins do. I would rather get Murray than Fleury, but I would be okay with either.

Murray is an upcoming stud who would fit in perfectly with the core of the team.

Fleury is a vet who could provide some stability. He is also regarded as an awesome teammate. The guys in Pittsburgh absolutely love playing in front of him and I'm sure would be quite sad to see him go.

[VladtheImpaler]

I think we are in a fantastic spot thanks to expansion and the fact that there are only 2 or 3 buyers. Teams must come to us and beg us to take their goalie rather than some else's.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by bax

It will be interesting to see what the Penguins do. I would rather get Murray than Fleury, but I would be okay with either.

Murray is an upcoming stud who would fit in perfectly with the core of the team.

Fleury is a vet who could provide some stability. He is also regarded as an awesome teammate. The guys in Pittsburgh absolutely love playing in front of him and I'm sure would be quite sad to see him go.

No thank you to Fleury, the guy has had multiple concussions and not mild ones either and that is playing in the East.

[bax]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

No thank you to Fleury, the guy has had multiple concussions and not mild ones either and that is playing in the East.

The playing in the East thing is overblown. The guy is a goalie, it's not like he's getting run over with his head down every game.

On the same note, Patrice Bergeron has had multiple concussions playing in the east and I'm sure every GM would take him on their team in a heartbeat

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by bax

The playing in the East thing is overblown. The guy is a goalie, it's not like he's getting run over with his head down every game.

On the same note, Patrice Bergeron has had multiple concussions playing in the east and I'm sure every GM would take him on their team in a heartbeat

The West has much more crease crashing than the East. The main point is, why take the risk with the amount goalies available?

[Demetric]

I am hoping for Pickard, seems to do well even with crap in front of him