Is The GM Going to Address the Center Situation?

[krispykream]

getting getzlaf would still not solve our problem it would be another iginla and his big contract would not want that, young players is what we need , work through the draft, trade for picks. but no each year they try to sneak into the 8th place and dont expect to get sweeped 4-0 first round?

[the_only_turek_fan]

Tim Connelly is another name that we could get as a temp center.

[moon]

Originally Posted by kyuss275

The flames need a top 9 center, not a 4th line center for it to make any difference in 99% of the remaining games.

They need any center that can win a draw. Even if all they do is win a draw and go change that is better than losing the draw and having to go back to our own zone to try and get the puck and restart the offense.

[calgARI]

Originally Posted by krispykream

getting getzlaf would still not solve our problem it would be another iginla and his big contract would not want that, young players is what we need , work through the draft, trade for picks. but no each year they try to sneak into the 8th place and dont expect to get sweeped 4-0 first round?

Yeah because 8th seeds never have any success

[the_only_turek_fan]

Weiss in Florida...but that will cost you.

Cammalleri for Weiss?

[calgARI]

Originally Posted by the_only_turek_fan

Weiss in Florida...but that will cost you.

Cammalleri for Weiss?

Plenty of low cost centers in Fla that would help this team - Smithson, Matthias, Santorelli

[krispykream]

Originally Posted by calgARI

Yeah because 8th seeds never have any success

we are not the los angeles kings nor do we have the skill level as they did if you are exaggerating

[moon]

Originally Posted by the_only_turek_fan

You are assuming a team out there is willing to trade a center here or there is a FA center that wants to come to CGY.

That's why it boggles my mind when people criticize the Jankowski pick.

Why?

If jankowski doesn't make it to the NHL it does nothing to help Calgary out at the Center position. If he makes it to the NHL but has to switch positions because he can't handle center it doesn't help Calgary.

You shouldn't pick guys for position unless maybe a 1 or 2 pick in the draft.

Pick a guy because he is the best player available and is the guy you think will be the best at the NHL level.

[dino7c]

its actually amazing how well they have done without centers just imagine if they had a couple

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by calgARI

Yes, a team that actually has a few centers on their roster and he isn't good enough to make the cut. The Leafs are 12-8 by the way. Steckel has played nearly 400 NHL games, can take draws and is a pretty physical player. The Flames have no centers, lose most faceoffs, and are small and soft up front. He would probably cost nothing to get.

I don't have a problem if the flames trade a 6th or 7th for him, but i don't know what you expect from this team after the trade?

At most he might contribute 2 points in the standings by the end of the year. I feel however that those 2 points will not be the difference between 9th and 8th spot. It will be the difference of 11th and 10th spot.

This team needs a top 6 center to have a chance to get to the playoffs. I don't want the flames to pay the price for that center only to be outed in the 1st round in 4 straight.

This team has many holes and needs a new direction.

[Vinny01]

I think a top flight center turns this team from a bubble team to a solid playoff possibly a division contender. The notion that Gerzlaf turns this team into and 8th seed is something I disagree with. Either way we won't get him in free agency.

[moon]

Originally Posted by calgARI

Yeah because 8th seeds never have any success

A large majority of the time they don't.

[Da_Chief]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

Not disagreeing that it should have been addressed before now - I'm just questioning any move that involves giving up any future piece to address a current need.

So if the "current" is not good enough why bother carrying on with this group?

Originally Posted by calgARI

Plenty of low cost centers in Fla that would help this team - Smithson, Matthias, Santorelli

Agreed, there are cheap options out there. Not sure what the hold up is since Feaster thinks this is a playoff team.

For the record I do not wana give up futures but playing with one center is embarrassing.

[Psytic]

What about Sam Gagner, he is the same age as Backlund (23) people forget and he is a pretty regular 45 point man already. He would come cheaper than most of the bigger names. Still has a some yrs to peak higher possibly you never know.

[krispykream]

i don't think Calgary would make a trade with there own division especially Edmonton our rivals

[Jbo]

Originally Posted by Psytic

What about Sam Gagner, he is the same age as Backlund (23) people forget and he is a pretty regular 45 point man already. He would come cheaper than most of the bigger names. Still has a some yrs to peak higher possibly you never know.

No way Edmonton will trade us a center...

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Psytic

What about Sam Gagner, he is the same age as Backlund (23) people forget and he is a pretty regular 45 point man already. He would come cheaper than most of the bigger names. Still has a some yrs to peak higher possibly you never know.

why would the Oilers trade their best player?

[Red Slinger]

I think 'intellectual honest' begins by doing a review of the current team and where they're headed. Even if the Flames make the playoffs they are a small team that will get pushed around in the post-season and likely lose in the first round to one of the top two seeds. Do you give away any valuable asset for someone else's garbage? Because no team in the league is going to give away a decent center.

Going after a center via trade at this stage would likely mean an over payment. Also, the Flames would be dealing from a position of desperation, which never ends well.

Short-term, bandaid solutions are the sort of thing that keeps teams from building a solid foundation and keeps then perpetually on the cusp of mediocrocy (ie. Flames circa 2009-present).

[krispykream]

blair jones was one of our best centers and stajan. they could have gotten some cheap 3rd or 4th liner centers but feaster had to much to eat at times he couldn't think starlight

[Jbo]

Originally Posted by krispykream

blair jones was one of our best centers and stajan. they could have gotten some cheap 3rd or 4th liner centers but feaster had to much to eat at times he couldn't think starlight

No need for this