[Rumour] Friedman: Flames aggressive in trade market. Getting calls on Hudler.

[cannon7]

I would like to see the Flames acquire a puck mover to play with Engelland -- don't want to see Brodie paired with him on a healthy blueline. Otherwise I'm happy with Engelland as a #6/7.

[heep223]

Originally Posted by cannon7

I would like to see the Flames acquire a puck mover to play with Engelland -- don't want to see Brodie paired with him on a healthy blueline. Otherwise I'm happy with Engelland as a #6/7.

Yeah...Russell. Acquiring a #3 d-man to play with Wideman would give us one of the top pairs in the league and two other great balanced pairs.

Gio-Brodie
X-Wideman
Russell-Engelland

If "X" is a good 2 way defenseman who can skate and move the puck (ie. Seabrook/Alzner caliber), this would be IMO the best back end in the league.

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by heep223

Yeah...Russell. Acquiring a #3 d-man to play with Wideman would give us one of the top pairs in the league and two other great balanced pairs.

Gio-Brodie
X-Wideman
Russell-Engelland

If "X" is a good 2 way defenseman who can skate and move the puck (ie. Seabrook/Alzner caliber), this would be IMO the best back end in the league.

The real concern is who comes up behind all those guys. It'll be tough to sign Diaz and Schlems if they know they are playing 90% AHL. But if we don't sign Diaz and Schlems, all we got is Wotherspoon maybe.

[IgiTang]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

The real concern is who comes up behind all those guys. It'll be tough to sign Diaz and Schlems if they know they are playing 90% AHL. But if we don't sign Diaz and Schlems, all we got is Wotherspoon maybe.

Lots of time to shore up 7/8th defenseman. Many teams will have to unload a few bodies throughout the summer. I think there are a few "hockey deals" able to be made by opening night.

Some pieces to be considered are, Reinhart, Byron, Raymond, and more.

What I'm worried about is treliving considering "post apex" players.

If so, just keep Hudler... You know you're getting all heart in him.

In terms of Schlemko, I really liked his game in his short time here. The guy has some tools. Why is he having such a hard time sticking on a roster?

[BACKCHECK!!!]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

The real concern is who comes up behind all those guys. It'll be tough to sign Diaz and Schlems if they know they are playing 90% AHL. But if we don't sign Diaz and Schlems, all we got is Wotherspoon maybe.

It looks like the Flames are going to be building a defence through trades and UFA signings.

The prospect shelves are bare of anyone who looks likely to step up as a top-4 defenceman in the next 2-3 years.

Bringing in a solution to this problem (a young defenceman who is already a capable top-4 player) is really the only thing that would make me want to trade Hudler.