Is The GM Going to Address the Center Situation?

[krispykream]

oh cmon i see this on the forums everyday and im the one that gets called out for it .....

[Psytic]

Originally Posted by dino7c

why would the Oilers trade their best player?

He has also been rumored to be on the block quite a bit I didnt realize this was news.

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by 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.

A top flight center would get this team into the 1st round, but i have many doubts that he would get us past that. This team is very soft and not suited for the playoffs. They would need to add at least a gritty 3rd line player that could on occasion be bumped up to the 2nd line. They also need a 5/6 D man that is very physical but yet can still skate.

Even if for some reason ownership said we want to trade all prospects and a 1st for this year to get all of the above done, i don't think they would have enough in the stable to get it done.

[dammage79]

I think this can be done without giving up prospects or our first round pick. There are more than a few centers that could be had.

5.Tim Connolly for one, before people get all huffy and puffy about it. They guy has talent, isnt panning out in a defensive system and has nothing left on his deal after this season. Zero risk and very little acquisition cost. Likely something Feaster is looking at.

4. Daniel Briere. Aging, two years left, Uber clutch playoff guy and wicked playmaker. Acquisition cost could be manageable due to Phillies cap issues but would have to give up a D like Gio I think. Wouldnt mind him at all. More akin to Svens style and would make a great mentor if the team wanted to move on from Iginla.

3. Stephen Weiss. UFA after this season. Could be dealt soon and with the Panthers sucking hard these days I could see a move similar to a Briere deal. Good playmaker but even better in the faceoff circle. Pretty much the best fit for Calgary IMO.

2. Valteri Fillpula.UFA after this season. Young, good playmaker and has a good shot. Cost is going to be high but Gio or Bouwmeester could get it done.

1. Patrick Berglund. My top wishlist Center for this team. I have no Idea what it would take or if he is even on the trading block. I would think he isnt and overpayment would have to be made. maybe the one player a prospect would have to be involved.

Theres been talk about Weiss for sure this year and the rest is ultimately up to the respective teams to address their own needs (namely D for most) so there can be deals.

[Psytic]

Lets be realistic here we arent getting any big name UFAs and we probably shouldn't anyway because the cap hit to get them to come here would sink the team. Realistically we should be targeting 2nd and third line young guys with potential to be first liners. Bringing up Getzlaf in every thread is a waste of time the guy is not coming here.

[moon]

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.

Gagner is crap at FO's and awful defensively. He basically is a winger playing center because he always has and is on a horribly run team.

[krispykream]

Originally Posted by Psytic

Lets be realistic here we arent getting any big name UFAs and we probably shouldn't anyway because the cap hit to get them to come here would sink the team. Realistically we should be targeting 2nd and third line young guys with potential to be first liners. Bringing up Getzlaf in every thread is a waste of time the guy is not coming here.

they might as well hope for sidney crosby #1 Center

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Psytic

He has also been rumored to be on the block quite a bit I didnt realize this was news.

I know my comment was tongue and cheek...although I don't see them trading him

[Dion]

Maybe we could get Conroy to come out of retirement

[Dion]

Jay Bouwmeester for Corey Perry

[killer_carlson]

A question i have is why Feaster isnt grilled more on this issue at the fan forums.

[Psytic]

Originally Posted by moon

Gagner is crap at FO's and awful defensively. He basically is a winger playing center because he always has and is on a horribly run team.

Still time to fix that he is Backlunds age. Datsyuk didnt have a season of over 50% in the dot until he was over 25 neither did Kesler. He is historically around 45% so not that far off. Defensive responsibility can be taught in young players as well.

[Lucifer]

Here's a trade I pulled off in NHL '13 to get a first line center:

To L.A.

Backlund
Sarich
Luke Schenn
2015 1st round draft pick
2016 1st round draft pick

To Calgary

Kopitar
Voynov

I would not be a well liked Flames GM for that trade.

[krispykream]

that is a pretty bad trade lol 2 first round picks and backlund alone are more than kopitar

[bubbsy]

The gm is doing something about the crap we have at center. Just look at the standings, the elusive top centers can only be drafted.

[Anduril]

Originally Posted by dammage79

I think this can be done without giving up prospects or our first round pick. There are more than a few centers that could be had.

5.Tim Connolly for one, before people get all huffy and puffy about it. They guy has talent, isnt panning out in a defensive system and has nothing left on his deal after this season. Zero risk and very little acquisition cost. Likely something Feaster is looking at.

4. Daniel Briere. Aging, two years left, Uber clutch playoff guy and wicked playmaker. Acquisition cost could be manageable due to Phillies cap issues but would have to give up a D like Gio I think. Wouldnt mind him at all. More akin to Svens style and would make a great mentor if the team wanted to move on from Iginla.

3. Stephen Weiss. UFA after this season. Could be dealt soon and with the Panthers sucking hard these days I could see a move similar to a Briere deal. Good playmaker but even better in the faceoff circle. Pretty much the best fit for Calgary IMO.

2. Valteri Fillpula.UFA after this season. Young, good playmaker and has a good shot. Cost is going to be high but Gio or Bouwmeester could get it done.

1. Patrick Berglund. My top wishlist Center for this team. I have no Idea what it would take or if he is even on the trading block. I would think he isnt and overpayment would have to be made. maybe the one player a prospect would have to be involved.

Theres been talk about Weiss for sure this year and the rest is ultimately up to the respective teams to address their own needs (namely D for most) so there can be deals.

5. True. In retrospect it would be nice to swap a contract with Toronto if we hadn't taken him waivers.

4. Small, getting quite old, high cap hit. He would be amazing on any team that regularly makes the playoffs but moving Gio for him? Just a crazy thought.

3. Would be nice certainly but they would be bound to get a better package than what we could offer since we're thin everywhere except top 9 wingers.

2. See the combination of 3 and 4.

1. We can all dream.


Trading from our strengths is the only way this team can improve through trades without causing another or bigger hole. At the same time, between who we have in Tanguay, Glencross, Iginla, Stempniak, Hudler, Cervenka as 'top 9' wingers, there isn't really anybody who we could/would/should trade. Stempniak might be a good one, but he's still not going to get you much other than another Stajan type player.

[neo45]

I can live with the Flames trying to squeak into 8th again this year. I can't live with them doing a terrible job at trying. Why have 9 healthy D-men who can play in the NHL and only 1 healthy center? Especially when there are teams out there that need defenseman?

[krispykream]

Originally Posted by neo45

I can live with the Flames trying to squeak into 8th again this year. I can't live with them doing a terrible job at trying. Why have 9 healthy D-men who can play in the NHL and only 1 healthy center? Especially when there are teams out there that need defenseman?

so you rather watch them get swept 4-0 in the first round and also have no future and re sign iggy next year to 4-5 million and be in the same boat next year

[The Original FFIV]

Originally Posted by J-bo09

I want no moves...zero.. unless we are moving out a vet for prospects and picks.

The injury to Backlund and Cervenka not taking over the Center role has made the situation worse...but go with what you have..Expectations are low anyway.

We need to have a good strong draft and keep the assets we have.

I'm not opposed to moves as long as it improves the team and doesn't jeopardize the future. To limit moves to picks and prospects ties your hands if you narrow the parameters like this.

I would like moves that increase our competitiveness as long as it fits with ghe organizational MO. For instance, if Feaster ships Comeau for Tim Connolly, are you opposed because a prospect/pick isn't coming back? Only thing we lose is cap space but we gain a legit nhl center who gets a 30 game audition to earn a contract. Beggars can't be choosers and we need to look at all avenues. Disappointed Connolly isn't with us yet as it's a no brainer from my viewpoint.

[The Original FFIV]

Originally Posted by killer_carlson

A question i have is why Feaster isnt grilled more on this issue at the fan forums.

Because you don't attend...