Smid thinks he is ready. UPD: Hopes to be cleared for mid October

[Poe969]

The Flames probably wanted to sign Schlemko, they just couldn't afford his 3 mil per year value.... Schlemko wasn't bad (not worth what some thought) but he really didn't do much of anything great where at least Smid (when 100%) is usually a rock on the back end.

Who are the teams in need of 4-6D right now?

[IgiTang]

^edmonton

[Poe969]

I think Edmonton needs 1-4 Dmen first.

[IgiTang]

Well... 1-6 really... Oh wait, sorry. They have Nikitin. We are both wrong. They need 1-5 dmen.
Geez.. Smid sure would help them out.

[Locke]

We re-sign Smid for $4.5M first and then we trade him to Edmonton for their First Round pick.

Profit!!

[Gaskal]

Originally Posted by Badgers Nose

Whatever the #### that means.

Kris Russell without offense.

[DoubleK]

Great news. Hope he can make it back into the lineup.

[JT45]

If Smid is back there might be no openings for our younger guys. Are any/all of them waiver exempt, or is there a possibility of losing them?- ie Wotherspoon, Morrison, Nakladal.

[Finger Cookin]

Nakladal has to clear waivers. The others do not.

The only other players likely to start the season in Stockton that have to clear waivers are Derek Grant and Turner Elson. There might be some tough waiver exposure decisions to make on the main roster (Do you expose Ortio? Shore? Ferland?), but most of the farm team can move up and down with no waiver consequences.

[sureLoss]

I am pretty sure Nakladal is waiver exempt. I realize Hockey's Cap has something different, but I believe they are wrong.

[Finger Cookin]

I'm just basing that off of the Hockey'sCap calculator. Not sure how it works with KHL experienced players who are 25+, to be honest. Though with this being his first NHL contract (as far as I can tell), it would make sense he would be exempt this year. We'll see.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by Finger Cookin

Nakladal has to clear waivers.

I don't believe he does. He's on his first NHL contract, so his previous professional experience does not count towards his waiver exemption.

Originally Posted by CBA, Article 13

The first season in which a Player who is age 20 or older plays in one (1) or more Professional Games shall constitute the first year for calculating the number of years he is exempt from Regular Waivers.

A Player 25 years old or older who plays in one (1) or more Professional Games in any season shall be exempt from Regular Waivers for the remainder of that season.

For Players age 20 or older, Professional Games include NHL Games, all minor league regular season and playoff games and any other professional games, including but not limited to, play in European leagues when Player is on Loan to such club, and while Player is party to an SPC.

He has never previously been party to an SPC, so this should be considered his one year of waiver exemption.

[Finger Cookin]

Makes sense to me. Contacted Hockey's Cap to see if they will correct and/or clarify. But yeah, I agree with you both after reading the specifics in the CBA.

[foshizzle11]

So that leaves this for our roster:

Gio-Brodie
Hamilton-Wideman
Russel-Smid

7th/8th
Engelland
Wotherspoon
Morrison
Nakladal

I guess Smid and Engelland will share the 6th spot unless we have injuries. Maybe someone is moved before the season starts to make space for one of the youngsters if they have a good camp?

What does Smid do that Engelland can't do? Who do we all prefer in the lineup night in and night out? I think I would prefer Engelland. I think having depth is good but do we keep all these guys going into the season?? I doubt it.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by foshizzle11

So that leaves this for our roster:

Gio-Brodie
Hamilton-Wideman
Russel-Smid

7th/8th
Engelland
Wotherspoon
Morrison
Nakladal

I guess Smid and Engelland will share the 6th spot unless we have injuries. Maybe someone is moved before the season starts to make space for one of the youngsters if they have a good camp?

What does Smid do that Engelland can't do? Who do we all prefer in the lineup night in and night out? I think I would prefer Engelland. I think having depth is good but do we keep all these guys going into the season?? I doubt it.

Isnt that awesome?

I'm a full on Pro-Engelland convert. When he stepped up for Gio shows me his value and it is awesome.

I'm also a huge fan of Morrisson.

I know literally nothing about Nakladal.

But if Smid cant make it back, and thats not a bad thing, you dont screw around with back/neck injuries, Engelland can step in and we literally wont miss a beat.

Love it. Thats a great defence corps.

Going from: 'If Gio goes down we're screwed' all the way to 'we have too many excellent, qualified, NHL defencemen.'

[foshizzle11]

I also know nothing about Nakladal, is he better than Morrison and Wotherspoon right now? Can he compete at the NHL level?

I personally don't think Wotherspoon has it and will always be close to being the #6 but will be passed by other prospects. So that leaves Morrison, who will likely be in Stockton this year if everyone is healthy.

This will be interesting and it is an awesome problem, that really isn't a problem.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by foshizzle11

I also know nothing about Nakladal, is he better than Morrison and Wotherspoon right now? Can he compete at the NHL level?

I personally don't think Wotherspoon has it and will always be close to being the #6 but will be passed by other prospects. So that leaves Morrison, who will likely be in Stockton this year if everyone is healthy.

This will be interesting and it is an awesome problem, that really isn't a problem.

Pretty much. I get the impression that Wotherspoon isnt in the long-term plans.

[Yamer]

Watching Wotherspoon in the WHL, he was always impressive for unnoticeable reasons. Exactly the way he was supposed to be.

I still think he sneaks in as an above average and very reliable 5-6 guy.

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by Gaskal

He was a possession black hole, but reasonably good defensively.

That's not possible. If he was a possession blackhole that means the Flames were giving up way more shot attempts they they were taking... I don't think you can call yourself "reasonably good defensively" if the other team is constantly allowed to fire rubber in the direction of your goalie when you're on the ice.

That said as the HERO chart demonstrated 2010-2012 Smid was a legitimate #4 d-man so if we could get that Smid back then it'd be a real boon (both in play and in terms of trade value).

[Strange Brew]

If Smid can play up to his contract, that would certainly open up possibilities for the Flames.