[Rumour] Flames very interested in UFA Tom Gilbert

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by flameswin

I don't understand how some of these conclusion's are met on CP. So if we make a minor-ish free agent signing of a D-man who will probably be a 4/5/6th Dman we have completely abandoned the rebuild?

I don't care how old the guy is they bring in but would prefer a defenseman that's more solid defensively as Gilbert is too much in the mold of Wideman.

[bubbsy]

bottom pairing NHL level dman...

we need to fill out the roster. as long as it is only for a few year contract, i think i'm fine with just about anyone.

i hope the flames aim to ice a decent/competitive roster starting next offseason, this season not so much. we have to get to the floor, and fill spots with players where prospects aren't pushing for a spot just yet (defense/goaltending, veteran top6 maybe).

[Hackey]

He's going to bring the Oilers losing culture here and ruin all of our kids. NOOOOOO!!!

[Locke]

He'd be a placeholder, he'd be just keeping some kid's jersey warm.

Basically a replacement for Butler and a body to log minutes and help the Flames hit the floor.

Hes not 'the answer' hes a warm body.

[kyuss275]

I put in another thread that if the flames can't make a trade for a top 4 dman , then more than likely flames would pick up a bottom pairing Butler 2.0. Gilbert seems about right. It might not be him but it will be something like him.

[gvitaly]

It looks like the Flyers are also interested.
Flyers free-agent target: Tom Gilbert

He's got size, speed and smarts, and he has proved he can play more than 20 minutes a night in a top pairing. With Kimmo Timonen taking a lesser role next season, there's a vacancy there that the Flyers need to fill.

Boy was Gilbert a steal for Florida last season. He logged over 21 minutes a game on the team's top defensive pairing and was only minus-5 on a very bad Panthers team. He set himself up for a nice raise with his strong play, finishing the season with three goals and 28 points.

I didn't watch Florida much this year, but I didn't like him as a player when he played for the Oilers(might just be because of the logo on his jersey).

Tom Gilbert, defenseman
Age: 31
Height: 6-2
Weight: 206
Last team: Florida Panthers
2013-14 cap hit: $900,000

[mrdonkey]

Seems like an appropriate target. Big body, shoots right, obviously has no issue playing for bottom feeders.

Makes sense to me.

[Enoch Root]

One has to be careful when attempting to evaluate Oiler defensemen. The lack of team defense and backchecking on that team puts the defensemen under so much distress that it makes anyone look bad.

Gilbert has been better since escaping - not great, but better.

Not my first choice by any stretch, but as a 5/6 guy, if the term isn't long, then sure, why not?

[GGG]

I think I would rather keep Butler. As long as its two years or less it doesnt matter.

[getbak]

This is the type of UFA Treliving should be pursuing.

He should come relatively cheap (although, if it comes down to the Flames or Flyers, the Flames can offer more than the Flyers because of cap space) and be willing to sign a shorter-term deal. The Flyers can offer a better chance to play in the playoffs (which he has only done once in his career), but they won't be able to offer much more than league-minimum.


Give him a haircut and run him through the same industrial-strength anti-contamination shower that was used on Glencross, Staios, and Smid and he'd be a good fit.

[Enoch Root]

So that would mean something like:

Giordano / Brodie
Smid / Wideman
Russell / Gilbert

better than what we started last year with by quite a bit

[theoforever]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

So that would mean something like:

Giordano / Brodie
Smid / Wideman
Russell / Gilbert

better than what we started last year with by quite a bit

Butler is better than Gilbert

[Caged Great]

Gilbert isn't that bad. If you have him in sheltered minutes, he can be a good two way D-man. With having Brodie and Gio ahead of him on the depth chart, he won't get overexposed. He'd be a good short term placeholder. That's always useful.

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

One has to be careful when attempting to evaluate Oiler defensemen. The lack of team defense and backchecking on that team puts the defensemen under so much distress that it makes anyone look bad.

Gilbert has been better since escaping - not great, but better.

Not my first choice by any stretch, but as a 5/6 guy, if the term isn't long, then sure, why not?

He IS what many think of him, but compared to SOB and Wideman he doesn't look that unfavourable.

Sure, it would be nice I guess to sign niskanen or trade for doughty, but, this flames squad is stinky. If Tom Gilbert getting killed in a corner prevents wotherspoon from getting killed in the corner, I am all for it.

Bring on Tom Gilbert and 1st overall.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

I should be clear. I think Gilbert is an adequate player. If I were to compare him to Butler it would be like this

Offense:
Butler <<< Gilbert

Physical play:
Butler > Gilbert (not by much)

Defensive zone play:
Butler > Gilbert

Puck handling:
Butler <<<< Gilbert

Decision making:
Butler < Gilbert (but not by much)

Overall Gilbert is the better defenseman, but not defensively or physically which is what the Flames need upgraded badly. I just don't think he's a good fit for us.

[Caged Great]

Originally Posted by Cali Flames Fan

I should be clear. I think Gilbert is an adequate player. If I were to compare him to Butler it would be like this

Offense:
Butler <<< Gilbert

Physical play:
Butler > Gilbert (not by much)

Defensive zone play:
Butler > Gilbert

Puck handling:
Butler <<<< Gilbert

Decision making:
Butler < Gilbert (but not by much)

Overall Gilbert is the better defenseman, but not defensively or physically which is what the Flames need upgraded badly. I just don't think he's a good fit for us.

12 Million to hit the floor makes him a good option.

[Badgers Nose]

I guess he is fresh meat, not too tainted.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

He IS what many think of him, but compared to SOB and Wideman he doesn't look that unfavourable.

Sure, it would be nice I guess to sign niskanen or trade for doughty, but, this flames squad is stinky. If Tom Gilbert getting killed in a corner prevents wotherspoon from getting killed in the corner, I am all for it.

Bring on Tom Gilbert and 1st overall.

That pretty much sums it up.

[Husky]

I don't see the need for a guy like Gilbert when you have Wideman on the team.

Giordano, Wideman, Brodie, Russell is enough offensive type D to run the two PP lines.

Gilbert just means another D that needs to play sheltered minutes to be half decent.

[ComixZone]

I still think the organization's goal is to be the hardest working bad team. How do you do this? Sign hard working bad players.

If Gilbert is a hard worker, and the term is short, I don't care what we pay him. He'd be a good bridge player.