Treliving: We would like to add a defenceman

[FlamesAddiction]

I would give Medvedev a shot. He seemed to do alright with the limited number of games he had, but so did Nakladal for that matter.

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

From that audio it looks like these are our top six forwards without writing anything in stone.

Gaudreau - Monahan ------
------------- Backland - Frolik
------------- Bennett - Brouwer

and fill in the gaps with whoever

and yeah it also looks like Wideman is on the block but it looks like cap space on other teams may be a problem. It's hard to tell how motivated Treliving is to move him though. Does he just want to get rid of him or does he demand say another good forward or L defenceman in exchange?

I think Tkachuk makes the big club right away. And I think Bennett is the 2nd C with Brouwer ahead of Frolik. Backs and Frolik as a solid 3rd line.

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by Isikiz

I think it's a terrible idea to move Wideman right now. His value is at an all-time low

I don't care about Wideman's value. I care about the Flames winning games and IMO the Flames would be better able to win games if we could use the cap space currently being eaten up by Wideman's contract on other players.

[Fire of the Phoenix]

Originally Posted by Apollo

What is it with Calgary fans always trying to sign guys we've traded or moved on from? Every year it's the same. We trade player X, player X becomes free agent, fans say-let's get player X back! It happens with almost every player. Iggy, Hudler, Russel, ect. I don't get it. In most cases the Flames have gotten all they can out of a player and the separation is mutual/makes sense.

Every team has fans that do this. This issue is that a fan base is comprised of tens(hundreds) of thousands of fans, of course there will be some divergent opinions.

[JohnnyTitan]

Originally Posted by CaramonLS

Any decent 3/4 Dman is likely going to be plucked by Vegas in the expansion draft. Would be very cautious about bringing one over via trade or overpaying for a short term solution.

This is important.

Originally Posted by Isikiz

I think we would get the best value if (Wideman) played most of the year with him and sold him off at the deadline. He's not the best D-man or the best skater, but he still has a decent shot and offensive instincts. He may do better next year in Gulutzan's systems too. I think everyone is a little too eager to jump on the guy even though he's just one year removed from a great offensive season.

I agree with this sentiment. We've figured out our goalies for now...we'll sign Mony and Johnny and don't have any other HUGE holes (TY Troy Brouwer). And Wideman will be uber-motivated to get one last contract as a 34-year-old UFA.

I think we roll with Wideman and then try to get an asset for him at the deadline when his cap-hit won't really matter to the acquiring team. Starting in October we can fill in the gaps in our d-corps by graduating one of the guys below and then another one come trade deadline and then another one after we (likely) lose a d-man in the expansion draft. Assuming you bring-up the most NHL-ready (but not the most sexy) guys (Wotherspoon, Kulak / Culkin) that should result in almost a full year of seasoning for Andersson and almost another full year of seasoning for Kylington.

Then when we're really competing (2017 and beyond) we should have some awesome and cheap options to compliment Gio-Brodie-Hamilton who are amazingly locked in for $17M.

Man...it'd be awesome if we didn't lose Kevin to Vegas.

2017/2018 D-Corps:
Gio-Brodie
Hamilton - Jyrki
Wother / Andersson / Kylington / Kulak / Culkin


But maybe I'm too optimistic on how fast these kids can develop and how awesome they are? I guess we'll all know a little more after seeing Rasmus / Oliver / Brandon on Thursday AM.


FYI (age / shot)
Andersson - 19 yrs (RH)
Kylington - 19 yrs (LH)
Hickey - 20 yrs (LH)
Wotherspoon - 23 yrs (LH)
Morrison - 24 yrs (RH)
Culkin - 22 yrs (LH)
Kulak - 22 yrs (LH)
Kanzig - 21 yrs (LH)

[Isikiz]

Originally Posted by Parallex

I don't care about Wideman's value. I care about the Flames winning games and IMO the Flames would be better able to win games if we could use the cap space currently being eaten up by Wideman's contract on other players.

I’d argue that for the next year, the Flames aren’t really in a “win-now” kind of mode. Wideman’s contract is only for the next year anyways. I think our window to win is within the next couple of years (though I see us being competitive next year). The cap space will open up next year for us anyways, and it'd be nice to get something like a 2nd + B-prospect at the deadline (Russell-esque?) which makes us better in the short and long term.

[Bandwagon In Flames]

Originally Posted by Apollo

What is it with Calgary fans always trying to sign guys we've traded or moved on from? Every year it's the same. We trade player X, player X becomes free agent, fans say-let's get player X back! It happens with almost every player. Iggy, Hudler, Russel, ect. I don't get it. In most cases the Flames have gotten all they can out of a player and the separation is mutual/makes sense.

1. Fans know what they are getting in the player
2. Player knows the team and already has chemistry with players
3. Player may be had for cheaper if he actually wants to return and we know Russell wanted to stay close to home

That said, I was most certainly not thrilled to have Jokinen back. It obviously doesn't always work out. But Russell for 2.5-3mil would be great for our bottom pairing when healthy and has proven he can move up in the lineup.

Smid/Wideman out and Russell/Nakladal back for reasonable contracts would really round out the D-core.

Also it's hilarious to get great returns when trading a player at the deadline only for the player to re-sign with said team.

[Rick M.]

Originally Posted by Parallex

I don't care about Wideman's value. I care about the Flames winning games and IMO the Flames would be better able to win games if we could use the cap space currently being eaten up by Wideman's contract on other players.

Agreed. Our powerplay and defensive play were better without him last season. We can't jeopardize our shot at the playoffs by trying to raise his trade value.

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by Apollo

What is it with Calgary fans always trying to sign guys we've traded or moved on from?

What is it with Calgary fans refusing to consider signing guys that have previously played for the Flames?

Look, sometimes it's a silly suggestion born out of nothing but sentimentality or familiarity but other times it makes sense. A player should no more be disqualified from consideration for having played here in the past then they should be promoted for it, both are equally silly. There is either a fit or there isn't.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by Isikiz

I’d argue that for the next year, the Flames aren’t really in a “win-now” kind of mode. Wideman’s contract is only for the next year anyways. I think our window to win is within the next couple of years (though I see us being competitive next year). The cap space will open up next year for us anyways, and it'd be nice to get something like a 2nd + B-prospect at the deadline (Russell-esque?) which makes us better in the short and long term.

I agre 100%. I suppose the bigger issue is whether any D for 2017 outside of top 3 are currently on the roster? I'm not as high on Jokipakka as others and yes, some of the young prospects look great. But far from a sure thing. That could be a lot of D to turn over next year.

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by Isikiz

I’d argue that for the next year, the Flames aren’t really in a “win-now” kind of mode.

We're about to be capped out as soon as we sign two of our young players to long-term big money 2nd contracts, we traded for goaltending then upgraded at back-up goaltending and signed a complementary winger to a fairly big dollar contract... we're in win-now mode.

[JohnnyTitan]

Originally Posted by Parallex

We're about to be capped out as soon as we sign two of our young players to long-term big money 2nd contracts, we traded for goaltending then upgraded at back-up goaltending and signed a complementary winger to a fairly big dollar contract... we're in win-now mode.

Been mentioned a hundred times before...but there is a reasonable amount of cap relief coming next year. (Money coming off the books)

And the cap will most likely go up a little more in the future than it has for the past couple seasons.

We're not swimming in cap space...but I feel it's being well-managed. The key is to always have a couple "D" and a couple forwards on ELCs IMO.

[Bingo]

My thoughts ...

Wideman - Understand the don't trade him low, deal him at the deadline sentiment completely. Two caveats to that though are

1) Dressing room. Is he positive? I've heard a lot of mixed stories from his 4 years in Calgary both good and bad. if I was to guess I'd say he's great when he's going well, and not when he's not. Where are the Flames and Wideman on the linesman issue?

2) Youth. Wotherspoon needs to clear waivers, other guys are pushing. Nakladal needs a spot. Moving Wideman frees up a spot and gets this team down the road faster than a season waiting to deal the guy.

Russell - No matter where you land on the analytics argument he's a great guy, and a solid teammate and a defenseman that can play. It's certainly not his fault that he was over utilized in Calgary the past two years. If he doesn't get signed and the Flames think they can make a move with Wideman he'd be a great 4-5 defenseman in Calgary at 2.5M

[Imported_Aussie]

Originally Posted by Bingo

My thoughts ...

Wideman - Understand the don't trade him low, deal him at the deadline sentiment completely. Two caveats to that though are

1) Dressing room. Is he positive? I've heard a lot of mixed stories from his 4 years in Calgary both good and bad. if I was to guess I'd say he's great when he's going well, and not when he's not. Where are the Flames and Wideman on the linesman issue?

2) Youth. Wotherspoon needs to clear waivers, other guys are pushing. Nakladal needs a spot. Moving Wideman frees up a spot and gets this team down the road faster than a season waiting to deal the guy.

Russell - No matter where you land on the analytics argument he's a great guy, and a solid teammate and a defenseman that can play. It's certainly not his fault that he was over utilized in Calgary the past two years. If he doesn't get signed and the Flames think they can make a move with Wideman he'd be a great 4-5 defenseman in Calgary at 2.5M

And to add to that - if Russell cannot get a long term deal, perhaps he is keen on a 1 year deal for a team where he has played well in the past, so he can seek a bigger deal in the expansion year, as teams will need to restock

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by Imported_Aussie

And to add to that - if Russell cannot get a long term deal, perhaps he is keen on a 1 year deal for a team where he has played well in the past, so he can seek a bigger deal in the expansion year, as teams will need to restock

But then he's an injury or tough season away from losing millions

[Isikiz]

Originally Posted by Parallex

We're about to be capped out as soon as we sign two of our young players to long-term big money 2nd contracts, we traded for goaltending then upgraded at back-up goaltending and signed a complementary winger to a fairly big dollar contract... we're in win-now mode.

That's fair. I'm just a little wary on calling us a win-now team when we still have a number of expensive contracts and dead weight, but your point is good. I'm just thinking that waiting for this first year would benefit us over the next couple years. (currency for future drafts, prospects, etc)

Originally Posted by Bingo

My thoughts ...

Wideman - Understand the don't trade him low, deal him at the deadline sentiment completely. Two caveats to that though are

1) Dressing room. Is he positive? I've heard a lot of mixed stories from his 4 years in Calgary both good and bad. if I was to guess I'd say he's great when he's going well, and not when he's not. Where are the Flames and Wideman on the linesman issue?

2) Youth. Wotherspoon needs to clear waivers, other guys are pushing. Nakladal needs a spot. Moving Wideman frees up a spot and gets this team down the road faster than a season waiting to deal the guy.

Good points, thanks. Pre-Henderson incident, I heard he was one of those "good veteran presences," but not sure how that changed afterwards. Given the logjam at defense, maybe it'd be best to move him out now, though I do find it intriguing with Treliving's comments about wanting to find another depth defenseman.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Imported_Aussie

And to add to that - if Russell cannot get a long term deal, perhaps he is keen on a 1 year deal for a team where he has played well in the past, so he can seek a bigger deal in the expansion year, as teams will need to restock

And then deal him to Dallas at the deadline!

[ricardodw]

Originally Posted by IgiTang

They need to sign and trade Nakladal if they aren't going to use him.

RH dmen are at a premium. Given a bit more exposure, I think Nakladal would garner a lot of interest.

Sign him, play him and if he doesn't work out trade him? S

That would be a neat trick... Sounds like a strategy that left the Flames with a bunch of un-tradeable contracts.

Imagine if the Oilers or Canucks signed UFA Nadakal and ended up not using him. How would you feel about the Flames trading for him?

The rest of the league saw him play for the Flames and are giving him a pass as a UFA. Maybe he wants more $$ as he has a better deal in the KHL than he had last year splitting AHL/NHL.

I am wondering if there was some locker room rot in Stockton. They sure did not perform near as well as one would thinks loaded with near-NHL ready prospects and the Flames are not bringing back almost anyone that they had a choice on.

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

But then he's an injury or tough season away from losing millions

What are his options? Based on what I've read so far, I gather there aren't a ton of teams lining up to offer him a multiyear deal.

If I was Brad, why not phone Russell's representation and offer a 1 year $2.5 to $3million deal to come back home? Maybe under Gulutzan he turns out to be a fantastic 5/6 d-man and you sign him for another 2 or deal him at the deadline again.

[JohnnyTitan]

Originally Posted by Bingo

My thoughts ...


2) Youth. Wotherspoon needs to clear waivers, other guys are pushing. Nakladal needs a spot. Moving Wideman frees up a spot and gets this team down the road faster than a season waiting to deal the guy.

That's funny. I was expecting to get roasted by suggesting that some of our young guys (other than Wotherspoon) could play NHL 5-6 pairing minutes by 2017 / 2018. And yet here you want to start their graduation this season.

This tells me that:
a) We need to see them in Dev Camp, Penticton and Main Camp
b) The Flames are probably going to graduate them just right. Not too soon, not too late. Despite what us fans think...they probably have a really solid plan...hopefully 100% correlated to their development trajectories.