[News] Brandon Gormley on waivers. UPD: Clears

[Bourque's Twin]

What's the best case with claiming Gormley, realistically?

2015/16: He plays as the #6 D. All that does is replace Smid and Engelland (big deal).

2016/17: Sign him to a bridge contract with Smid and Engelland still on the books. I don't think it's realistic that he replaces Russell next year in the top 4. So, similar to 2015/16, he replaces someone on the bottom pairing. By the way, those looking to shed Engelland and Smid contracts are too optimistic IMO.

2017/18: Along with the core (Gio, Brodie, Hamilton), Hickey, Kylington, and Andersson are set to make a big push. I can't see Gormley beating any of them out. If someone else were in that top 6, I would hope it's a veteran who can help groom the kids.

[GioforPM]

I'm not huge on Gormley, but he might give flexibility to move a Wideman, Engelland, Smid or Russell at the trade deadline and thereby get additional assets (picks probably).

[Badgers Nose]

Originally Posted by Bourque's Twin

What's the best case with claiming Gormley, realistically?
2015/16: He plays as the #6 D. All that does is replace Smid and Engelland (big deal).

It is, because Gormley is cheaper. I don't think depth d should be making more than $1M/year. Gormley is $850,000.

These days if you can get a comparable player for 1/3 the cost that is a pretty big win.

[SebC]

We need to get out of seller mindset. Staying in it too long is how you get stuck in the "perpetual rebuild".

[Erick Estrada]

Someone explain to me exactly why the Flames be interested in a guy that can't crack lesser bluelines in Arizona and Colorado? We already know that Hartley isn't going to play a young guy over Smid or Engelland unless he's clearly better so the guy would have virtually a zero chance of getting in the lineup.

[TheDebaser]

We should pick him up for tonight's game and then just turn around and waive him again. He'll never see it coming.

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Someone explain to me exactly why the Flames be interested in a guy that can't crack lesser bluelines in Arizona and Colorado?

Because Smid & Engelland probably couldn't crack those line-ups either, are older, and cost way more. Don't kid yourself the strength of Calgary's D is entirely at the top of the depth chart not the bottom.

It's almost a zero risk move so why not do it?

[Strange Brew]

RETAINED.

Originally Posted by Parallex

Because Smid & Engelland probably couldn't crack those line-ups either, are older, and cost way more. Don't kid yourself the strength of Calgary's D is entirely at the top of the depth chart not the bottom.

It's almost a zero risk move so why not do it?

But what do you with Smid and Engelland for rest of this year and next? Smid is untradeable. Engelland maybe could be traded at next year's deadline with salary retained.

With Russell traded he is our #7 dman, with arguably Nakladal being more deserving of that spot. Injuries happen so maybe worth doing for that alone. But strange that lesser teams would not keep him for same reason.

[Bourque's Twin]

Originally Posted by Badgers Nose

It is, because Gormley is cheaper. I don't think depth d should be making more than $1M/year. Gormley is $850,000.

These days if you can get a comparable player for 1/3 the cost that is a pretty big win.

I doubt the Flames can unload Engelland or Smid without taking something negative in return. I also doubt ownership would bury Engelland or Smid's contracts just so Gormley can play and do a similar job at best.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by Parallex

Because Smid & Engelland probably couldn't crack those line-ups either, are older, and cost way more. Don't kid yourself the strength of Calgary's D is entirely at the top of the depth chart not the bottom.

It's almost a zero risk move so why not do it?

Healthy Smid is a top 6 D on almost every team in the league at 65% of his cap hit..

[Strange Brew]

d.was and

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

Healthy Smid is a top 6 D on almost every team in the league at 65% of his cap hit..

Maybe. Same with healthy Chris Pronger.

I just don't think he is back to where he was pre injury and even at $2.3million/year there would be no takers. Any why retain dead money to acquire Brandon Gormley? Let's do that to get someone really good.

[FiveSeven]

With Hartley? No way. He will either take time from someone in the AHL now or later. In the NHL given his play and the sometimes silly amounts of loyalty Hartley shows to players, if Gormley plays like how he's been playing, he's gonna see a useless amount of minutes a night or sit on the bench all the time.

It's tough to say whether he will or won't become better, but facing risk/reward and considering the short and long term impact on some of our developing players along with the high talent prospect depth we have along with our current NHL top 4?

I don't think it's worth it.

If you really think Smid or Engelland is screwing our team over at -3 (has been injured) and +1 then I don't think picking up a player that's been known to be horrible on the defensive side and can't do anything offensively in the NHL is the way you fix that problem. Also picking up a horrible defensemen that has almost no value does nothing in terms of being in a better position in any form. He has also been traded so you know it wasn't a certain set of circumstances holding him back.. Make a trade or give one of our own a shot when it's time.

[btimbit]

Giving us flexibility to try and move one of our current bottom 3 actually sounds good to me. Was against it originally but now I'm all for a claim.

The key word is try to move. But then again, I'm sure any of them would clear waivers.

Other aspect is Nakladal. Sure would like to see him at the NHL level

[dammage79]

I believe there are a lot of teams that would love a healthy Smid on their team even at his cap hit. He has value out there. He's done nothing to lessen his trade value either. He's been really good in his games and has been a total pro about the rotation in and out of the line up.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by Bourque's Twin

I doubt the Flames can unload Engelland or Smid without taking something negative in return. I also doubt ownership would bury Engelland or Smid's contracts just so Gormley can play and do a similar job at best.

Disagree. Both Smid and Engelland are playing quite well. Veteran defensemen become valuable commodities at the trade deadline because only a handful become available on the trade market each year.

I think Treliving should be able to unload one of our defenseman at the deadline for a pleasantly surprising return if he wants.

[sureLoss]

Bob McKenzie @TSNBobMcKenzie
Brandon Gormley (COL) clears waivers.

[CalgaryFan1988]

Wow, very surprised he cleared. Don't understand how Edmonton wouldn't take a chance.

[cam_wmh]

Originally Posted by CalgaryFan1988

Wow, very surprised he cleared. Don't understand how Edmonton wouldn't take a chance.

You don't understand how Edmonton didn't make a move to be better?

Are you new here?

[Fire of the Phoenix]

Originally Posted by CalgaryFan1988

Wow, very surprised he cleared. Don't understand how Edmonton wouldn't take a chance.

Because they already have a bunch of bad defensemen.

[Weitz]

Gormley doesn't make the oilers better.