[News] Galiardi, Robak and Olsen on waivers. All 3 clear

[heep223]

Originally Posted by CsInMyBlood

Where are our resident Jets fans?

Drinking champagne and planning the parade

[Oling_Roachinen]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

They are on waivers because their teams think they have better options, but that doesn't mean all players on waivers are useless.

Could be they need a change of scenery to become good.

In the salary cap era the Flames have gotten a few players off waivers or traded for players who had recently cleared waivers. 2 of them, Huselius and McGrattan, did really well in their roles and were useful.

Other guys like Carson, Mikkelson, Nicholat, and MacDonald didn't really hurt the Flames in getting picked up either.

Kris Russell, although heading to arbitration, also cleared waivers shortly before the Flames traded and signed him.

[868904]

Originally Posted by Cali Flames Fan

He had a pretty rough game against Detroit where he was directly responsible for two key goals in the loss, and he's had the odd bad game here and there.

Sounds like the new CP whipping boy!

Oh wait, because he's not of the truculent variety and is young and has "potential", we must grab him even if he sounds like he offers exactly what our third pairing gives us now.

Grass is always greener on the other side?

I'd rather Treliving work on acquiring a real top 4 defenceman.

[saillias]

Originally Posted by 868904

I'd rather Treliving work on acquiring a real top 4 defenceman.

Agreed. However seems a taboo opinion to have this year. I have suggested we could use an upgrade on our 2nd pairing and get lots of emotional blasts about how great Russell and Wideman are. It's always the bottom pairing's fault in Calgary.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by saillias

Agreed. However seems a taboo opinion to have this year. I have suggested we could use an upgrade on our 2nd pairing and get lots of emotional blasts about how great Russell and Wideman are. It's always the bottom pairing's fault in Calgary.

Oh come on.

You can try to upgrade our 2nd pairing, and that's fine because they aren't necessarily a cup winning duo playing 3/4 minutes, but if you're doing so and getting a legitimate NHL 3/4 D-man who is actually significantly, not marginally, BETTER than those two, you would have to give up a lot, probably mostly in youth pieces or draft picks. That would be absolutely fool-hardy to do at this stage.

Both Russell and Wideman are solid 2nd pairing defensemen that have done a pretty decent job all year long, and there are plenty of stats to back that up, not just an emotional argument. The same cannot be said for the 3rd pairing, who have given up a lot without adding much offensively despite limited playing time, and there are also stats to back that up. There are plenty of cheap options out there to upgrade that pair effectively without giving up anything of significance. Olsen for nothing is a pretty decent deal for the Flames, especially when he's likely our 5th best defenseman immediately.

[Imported_Aussie]

Originally Posted by Cali Flames Fan

This whole Olsen thing is confusing. They don't have any injured players at the moment, and they just recalled Petrovic from the minors for a 7th defenseman. They have 14 forwards and 2 goalies. There's almost no reason to put Olsen on waivers unless there is an imminent trade.

He had a pretty rough game against Detroit where he was directly responsible for two key goals in the loss, and he's had the odd bad game here and there, but it's quite surprising to see him on waivers without the need to make room on the roster.

I would think either a trade is in the works or maybe another guy on the farm is coming up, though after Petrovic, it would only be recalling a vet down there, Weegar coming up would be premature IMO.

Olsen, one would think, would at least have marginal trade value (change of scenery trade?), especially as he has logged around 15min per night on the 3rd pairing on what has been a good defensive unit. I could see where they may feel, if he is being overtaken by Petrovic, that he needs to be moved - but to waive is a real headscratcher.

If the Flames claim, they would have to demote Wotherspoon, then they would have to move a defenceman prior to Smid being activated - worst case, waive Diaz and take the gamble that he makes it through. In the worst case, they effectively trade Diaz for Olsen (grab one on waivers, lose the other) which to me is an upgrade

[Cali Panthers Fan]

^^^@ Imported Aussie

My thoughts exactly.

[FlameZilla]

Originally Posted by Cali Flames Fan

Oh come on.

You can try to upgrade our 2nd pairing, and that's fine because they aren't necessarily a cup winning duo playing 3/4 minutes, but if you're doing so and getting a legitimate NHL 3/4 D-man who is actually significantly, not marginally, BETTER than those two, you would have to give up a lot, probably mostly in youth pieces or draft picks. That would be absolutely fool-hardy to do at this stage.

Both Russell and Wideman are solid 2nd pairing defensemen that have done a pretty decent job all year long, and there are plenty of stats to back that up, not just an emotional argument. The same cannot be said for the 3rd pairing, who have given up a lot without adding much offensively despite limited playing time, and there are also stats to back that up. There are plenty of cheap options out there to upgrade that pair effectively without giving up anything of significance. Olsen for nothing is a pretty decent deal for the Flames, especially when he's likely our 5th best defenseman immediately.

It would be huge if we could pick up an upgrade for the 2nd pairing, mainly because of the trickle-down effect it would have on the 3rd pairing.

I like Wideman but I'd rather he played easier minutes and bossed the PP. He's a great weapon on the PP but a gong show in his own end sometimes.

Regarding Olsen, I don't mind if we claim him, but I'd prefer to see him clear waivers and then trade for him. That way we can demote him if Wotherspoon is a better option. I think Smid is going to be traded and Olsen would be a capable replacement.

[Vulcan]

If we claim Olsen, we could always carry 8 defencemen and only 13 forwards. Having extra defencemen is a good move if we make the playoffs.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by FlameZilla

It would be huge if we could pick up an upgrade for the 2nd pairing, mainly because of the trickle-down effect it would have on the 3rd pairing.

I like Wideman but I'd rather he played easier minutes and bossed the PP. He's a great weapon on the PP but a gong show in his own end sometimes.

Regarding Olsen, I don't mind if we claim him, but I'd prefer to see him clear waivers and then trade for him. That way we can demote him if Wotherspoon is a better option. I think Smid is going to be traded and Olsen would be a capable replacement.

Great, fine. I'm not saying you're wrong, but who are you going to get who is: 1) available, and 2) better than either Russell or Wideman. Keep in mind that's just the first part of the problem. You then have to give something of significance up to get said player. I would love to see some real proposals, but I just don't think there's anything out there that works for the Flames at the moment.

[Bourque's Twin]

Originally Posted by Cali Flames Fan

Great, fine. I'm not saying you're wrong, but who are you going to get who is: 1) available, and 2) better than either Russell or Wideman. Keep in mind that's just the first part of the problem. You then have to give something of significance up to get said player. I would love to see some real proposals, but I just don't think there's anything out there that works for the Flames at the moment.

I know I will get blasted for this, but what about trading Glencross for Phaneuf +? Maybe throw in Engelland to relieve us of some CAP space.

The Flames have CAP space for Phaneuf's contract (3 more years after this year). He could be a solid guy on the 2nd pairing with Russell. He will not be the #1 guy. We have Giordano and Brodie who are clearly better.

Wideman could play with Wotherspoon on the 3rd pairing and have lots of time on the PP.

Maybe Phaneuf is willing to take a lesser role and be humble.

[868904]

Originally Posted by Cali Flames Fan

Great, fine. I'm not saying you're wrong, but who are you going to get who is: 1) available, and 2) better than either Russell or Wideman. Keep in mind that's just the first part of the problem. You then have to give something of significance up to get said player. I would love to see some real proposals, but I just don't think there's anything out there that works for the Flames at the moment.

Dion Phaneuf

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Bourque's Twin

I know I will get blasted for this, but what about trading Glencross for Phaneuf +? Maybe throw in Engelland to relieve us of some CAP space.

The Flames have CAP space for Phaneuf's contract (3 more years after this year). He could be a solid guy on the 2nd pairing with Russell. He will not be the #1 guy. We have Giordano and Brodie who are clearly better.

Wideman could play with Wotherspoon on the 3rd pairing and have lots of time on the PP.

Maybe Phaneuf is willing to take a lesser role and be humble.

And maybe Setoguchi will get healthy, come back up and score 25 in the last 2 months.

I think the Flames should aim for a 2A and 2B pairing with about equal minutes, splitting Russell and Wideman with two effectiev stay at home types who can win pucks and move them. Wideman has improved defensively a lot, but he's still not Rod Langway or anything. Russell is a good puck mover and blocker. I'd like some more physicality, but with at least some skill. Engelland is supposed to be phsyical but usually he's too busy taking chips out of the puck or losing possession.

[Caged Great]

Either Robak or Olsen would be a decent option on a claim through waivers. The Flames could always waive any of the current 5-7 players on defense, or the guy we would have just claimed, once Smid gets better.

At worst those two guys would be solid 6-7 guys for the next little while. The Flames do not exactly have a ton of depth on the back end, so these two would help to improve it a bit.

That doesn't mean that they must stay forever, but depth never hurts, especially when you're in the hunt for a playoff spot. I would easily rather have either of the waiver guys than Spoon/Potter as the insurance D-man for the rest of this season (only because Spoon hasn't played much at the NHL level).

[Cali Panthers Fan]

I would easily take Wideman over Phaneuf at this point in their careers. At least Wideman can still score goals and doesn't take a bad penalty every single game.

[Caged Great]

^ Same here. I would take Wideman over Dion if their contracts were the same as well.

[FlameZilla]

Originally Posted by Cali Flames Fan

Great, fine. I'm not saying you're wrong, but who are you going to get who is: 1) available, and 2) better than either Russell or Wideman. Keep in mind that's just the first part of the problem. You then have to give something of significance up to get said player. I would love to see some real proposals, but I just don't think there's anything out there that works for the Flames at the moment.

I used up my annual quota of trade proposals in the Mike Richards thread (I think plenty of posters did) so I'll spare you any more of those.
I'm sure Treliving is looking to improve that particular area of the team, but as you said it's very difficult via trade. All I'm saying is that if an opportunity were to present itself to acquire someone better than Wideman (defensively) for the 2nd pairing I hope he takes it.

While we wait for our mythical 2nd pairing saviour to appear I don't have any issues with acquiring guys like Olsen. Defencemen under 25 still have untapped potential, in my estimation. Rolling the dice on a player like him is pretty low-risk, medium-reward. Seems like the kind of player several teams below us in the standings desperately need, so he probably doesn't make it to us, let alone clear.

[FlameZilla]

Originally Posted by Bourque's Twin

Maybe Phaneuf is willing to take a lesser role and be humble.

[cral12]

One of the guys I admittedly probably "missed" on in my time of publishing rankings - had him ranked 16th.
Here's a look back to my 2009 article on him, if interested.

Given how long it can take for dmen to develop, still wouldn't mind giving him a shot.

[FlameZilla]

Originally Posted by cral12

One of the guys I admittedly probably "missed" on in my time of publishing rankings - had him ranked 16th.
Here's a look back to my 2009 article on him, if interested.

Given how long it can take for dmen to develop, still wouldn't mind giving him a shot.

NHL Player(s) Comparison: Dion Phaneuf, Shea Weber

Pretty high on this guy, eh Cral?

Even if he slips past Edmonton I don't think he'd make it past LA on the waiver priority list. I would think we put in a claim though...