UFA Poll: Should the Flames resign Chris Butler

[FlameZilla]

Looks better now that he isn't being hung out to dry by a coach intent on using him on the first pairing every night... Hartley is using Butler much more efficiently and intelligently, so no surprise Butler doesn't look like a complete liability anymore.

In an ideal world I would rather we upgrade the D position with some savvy trades or signings, but if the personnel stays as is I think we'd be stupid not to re-sign Butler.

[formulate]

Voted yes, decent bottom pairing option. I don't feel particularly strongly about Butler though. A few close comparables in terms of offensive and possession numbers would be:
-Brain Strait
-Deryk Engelland
-Nick Grossman
-Andrew Ference
Then a few guys with a little less offense like Rob Scuderi, Nick Schultz, Victor Bartley and Francis Boullion. Not exactly a great list to be on, but he'd be fine playing 3rd pairing minutes. If nothing better is available through free agency (Stralman, Fayne etc) or cap-based trade (Boychuk, McQuaid) then re-signing Butler might be our best option. He's at least (though less physical) a better defenseman than Smid.

[FlameZilla]

Originally Posted by formulate

Voted yes, decent bottom pairing option. I don't feel particularly strongly about Butler though. A few close comparables in terms of offensive and possession numbers would be:
-Brain Strait
-Deryk Engelland
-Nick Grossman
-Andrew Ference
Then a few guys with a little less offense like Rob Scuderi, Nick Schultz, Victor Bartley and Francis Boullion. Not exactly a great list to be on, but he'd be fine playing 3rd pairing minutes. If nothing better is available through free agency (Stralman, Fayne etc) or cap-based trade (Boychuk, McQuaid) then re-signing Butler might be our best option. He's at least (though less physical) a better defenseman than Smid.

Smid will be better once the Oilers stank is completely worn off of him. He's a good defenceman, but spent too many years in that gong show up north.

As it stands right now & if Butler signs, my Flames D pairings would be:

Giordano Brodie
Russell Wideman
Smid Butler

I'm really hoping we can get an upgrade on Wideman. Small chance that Wideman has a renaissance next season once he's healthy again.

[nik-]

^ that's a terrifying second pairing.

[FlameZilla]

Originally Posted by nik-

^ that's a terrifying second pairing.

It's not pretty is it?

The other options are to pair Smid with Wideman on the 3rd pairing, giving the Russell/Butler pairing more minutes OR pair Butler with Wideman and Russell with Smid. They're all equally scary options, IMO.

Our D needs an upgrade. Big time.

[5by5]

More rumours out of Boston today. They apparently want to move some defensemen (plural). Krug or Bartkowski would be a nice addition and both are young enough to fit into long term plans. Boychuk may be a little long in the tooth for us. Im still hoping Treviling can do something to bring in Yandle. Dare to dream.

[dammage79]

It would be nice to grab Bartowski and have things come full circle. Is Khoklachev still with the Bruins? Lets trade for him too!

[ForeverFlameFan]

If we are replacing Wideman, we need to go for a right handed defenseman. At least we can offer something at Niskanen?

We don't have that #3 defenseman. Brodie I think has clearly made himself the #2 defenseman behind Gio. Russell and Wideman on the other hand are 4/5 defenseman and Smid is a solid #6. We need a shut down defenseman that preferably shoots right.

[Stormchaser]

Yes. A good fit.

[Roof-Daddy]

I've never had much of a problem with Butler, but I voted to let him walk in lieu of new blood. Preferably a top 4 RHD with size, or excellent mobility or in a perfect world.....both.

[dissentowner]

Butler sucks. I hope he is gone. Yes, he blocks shots but as many shots as he blocks he turns over the damn puck or gets caught out of position. We have better options through UFA or even by giving his spot to Wotherspoon.

[gvitaly]

Personally I am on the fence on this one...

The reason is that I just don't see Butler becoming any better, so we get a whole bunch of average. On the one hand he is not the kind of player I associate with a winning team, on the other hand he is a fine gatekeeper until we get someone better. Butler does seem well liked in the room, and his shot blocking seems to lead by example, but on some shifts he really makes me want to throw out my TV out the window.

Bottom line: players like Butler are not the difference between a winning team and a losing team, so stay or go it will not affect the Flames in the slightest.

[dammage79]

Let Butler move on. He's far too inconsistent. And with an Inconsistent Wideman already in the fold I'd like to keep the cap hit and lessen the inconsistency on the back end.

[Hockey_Ninja]

If you asked me at the beginning of the season i'd day hell no, but now i would. It wouldn't hurt to re him up for a little while. If he was let go then i would care either.

[Alberta_Beef]

I voted yes. But I think Butler will end up in the middle pairing rather than the bottom pairing.

[Ring of Fire]

Voted yes from an asset management standpoint. If you're going to have a young player replace him, they need to at least be able to push Butler out of the lineup. The Flames don't have many d-prospects knocking on the door as of now and even guys like Wotherspoon and Sieloff still need more seasoning, no need to rush. In the meantime, Butler provides a versatile NHL defenceman at a reasonable cost. If you can sign him to a short-term deal for reasonable dollars it is a good signing as you can always find takers for NHL defenceman in trades (even if it is only a later round pick or prospect coming back down the line).

[Point Blank]

Wideman votes yes to avoid being the new CP whipping boy

[Machiavelli]

Originally Posted by Point Blank

Wideman votes yes to avoid being the new CP whipping boy

Rest assured, as always on CP, whipping boy duties will be evenly distributed between 2 to 3 players.

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by Machiavelli

Rest assured, as always on CP, whipping boy duties will be evenly distributed between 2 to 3 players.

Does that include prospects?

I need to know so as to get my "anti-(insert player) slogans" organized and rhythmic.

Some of these names don't lend themselves towards poetic cadence.

[Machiavelli]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

Does that include prospects?

I need to know so as to get my "anti-(insert player) slogans" organized and rhythmic.

Some of these names don't lend themselves towards poetic cadence.

It depends on the prospect.

Lots of stuff rhymes with Sven....