[Rumour] McKenzie: Flames won't hesitate to add a big name player

[Vinny01]

I suspect the flames will be quiet most of the season but will be much more aggressive at the draft.

[foshizzle11]

I agree with what a lot have been saying here that we need to upgrade our bottom pairing. We really need to get a 5th and 6th guy and have Smid and Engelland as the 7th and 8th guys in case of injuries.

I think they need to do this right now, figure something. We have a plethora of forwards right now who can play in the NHL and I think we can could get a decent return.

Who would be a good trading partner with NHL ready defenseman?

[Resolute 14]

We should be looking for a 3/4, not a 5/6. If we can bring a guy in that allows us to get Wideman below 20 minutes and against easier competition, we're doing a lot better defensively.

[_Q_]

Originally Posted by foshizzle11

I agree with what a lot have been saying here that we need to upgrade our bottom pairing. We really need to get a 5th and 6th guy and have Smid and Engelland as the 7th and 8th guys in case of injuries.

I think they need to do this right now, figure something. We have a plethora of forwards right now who can play in the NHL and I think we can could get a decent return.

Who would be a good trading partner with NHL ready defenseman?

Put useless Diaz through waivers, call up Wotherspoon.

Problem solved. We already have a great bottom pairing guy that can play as a 3/4 in the near future.

[Tinordi]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

We should be looking for a 3/4, not a 5/6. If we can bring a guy in that allows us to get Wideman below 20 minutes and against easier competition, we're doing a lot better defensively.

I agree that would be a good addition but I would guess that almost every team in the hunt is looking for exactly that player.

[Apollo]

Hey guys, this is my first post ever. Glad to be a new member of Calgary Puck!

I hope the Flames are actively trying to get Yandle from the Coyotes. Anything to push out Smid, Diaz and Engelland. I cringe whenever they are on the ice, because you know a goal can easily happen.

I think we should either:
A) bring up Wotherspoon and Seiloff (don't know why I confused the players names before). Then send down or trade Engelland or Diaz and Smid.
B) trade for Yandle. Maybe Baertschi, Stajan and Reinhart for Yandle. I think that's fair.
C) actively try for ANY other decent defensemen. Pittsburgh, Chicago, Boston, Toronto, Buffalo and Arizona seem like they would be good trading partners in their current situation.

The D depth is our Achilles heel right now, then RW depth. I just hope in making any trades they don't lose sight of the future. The plan for rebuilding should remain the same. But we do need to do something about our 5/6 defensive pairing.

[Mattman]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

Exactly the reason why the 'Canes aren't going to trade their 2015 1st.

Why not risk high then?
Baertschi
2015 1st
2016 1st conditional (if canes finish in the bottom 3)

For
Semin
Canes 2015 1st (top 3 pick and potential shot at generational talent)

[SofaProfessor]

Originally Posted by Apollo

A) bring up Wotherspoon and Klimchuk. Then send down or trade Engelland, Smid and Diaz.

Someone can jump in and correct me if I'm wrong but doesn't Klimchuk play LW? Bringing him up won't affect Engelland, Smid or Diaz.

[Hockeyguy15]

Klimchuk is playing in the WHL, you can't bring him up.

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by SofaProfessor

Someone can jump in and correct me if I'm wrong but doesn't Klimchuk play LW? Bringing him up won't affect Engelland, Smid or Diaz.

Yes Klimchuk is primarily a LW.

Also the Flames can't call up Klimchuk unless his junior club's season is finished or it is under emergency conditions.

[Apollo]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Yes Klimchuk is primarily a LW.

Also the Flames can't call up Klimchuk unless his junior club's season is finished or it is under emergency conditions.

My bad. So much for making a great first impression.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by Mattman

Why not risk high then?
Baertschi
2015 1st
2016 1st conditional (if canes finish in the bottom 3)

For
Semin
Canes 2015 1st (top 3 pick and potential shot at generational talent)

That's pretty ballsy if you ask me. Not a bad offer, but I still think the 'Canes will still say no.

[Apollo]

Originally Posted by Mattman

Why not risk high then?
Baertschi
2015 1st
2016 1st conditional (if canes finish in the bottom 3)

For
Semin
Canes 2015 1st (top 3 pick and potential shot at generational talent)

Oh god no. Semin is a terrible player that would never fit with the flames or most rosters. The guy has no heart or team pride. He is a paycheck player that doesn't break a sweat when his team needs him the most. He will never put up high numbers again. I would not want him to touch our locker room. I get it gives us a chance at a generational player with the draft pick. But I couldn't cheer for Semin.

[SofaProfessor]

Originally Posted by Apollo

My bad. So much for making a great first impression.

One minor error in your post. I wouldn't worry about it. You're already on the anti Smid, Engelland and Diaz train so I think you'll fit in just fine around here.

[ben voyonsdonc]

Originally Posted by Apollo

My bad. So much for making a great first impression.

It happens!

[Mattman]

Originally Posted by Apollo

Oh god no. Semin is a terrible player that would never fit with the flames or most rosters. The guy has no heart or team pride. He is a paycheck player that doesn't break a sweat when his team needs him the most. He will never put up high numbers again. I would not want him to touch our locker room. I get it gives us a chance at a generational player with the draft pick. But I couldn't cheer for Semin.

Semin would solely be a cap dump from the Canes. Free up Carolina from a bad deal. Bury him on the 4th line, drop him to the AHL, sit him in the press box every game, flip him 50% off to another team, I don't care!!!! But I could put up with Semins shenanigans for half a season in return for a generational talent like Conner McDavid or Jack Echiel.

**Bonus** Semin is a 40+ point guy on a crappy team. If Hartley and crew could get him set right with his attitude, then we now have a 2nd/3rd liner RW

[activeStick]

I can see the Flames packaging Smid (still young) with a prospect to get an upgrade on defence.

[thymebalm]

Originally Posted by activeStick

I can see the Flames packaging Smid (still young) with a prospect to get an upgrade on defence.

It's possible, but Smid's value is so low I can only see him being moved for a contract/cap restriction reason. Throwing him into a trade adds nothing talent/value wise to another gm...

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by _Q_

Put useless Diaz through waivers, call up Wotherspoon.

Problem solved. We already have a great bottom pairing guy that can play as a 3/4 in the near future.

When suggestions like this come out, I know people think they are suggesting long term rebuild thinking solutions, but they often aren't. Don't even think of calling up Wotherspoon if you are the Flames until you think his development is best served playing 3rd pairing minutes on the big club versus more on the farm.

I'm sure that time will come, and if it's now then great. But don't fool yourselves in thinking that Wortherspoon's development and long term thinking for this club isn't the reason Engelland and Diaz are here, because it's exactly why they are. They are required stop gaps to ensure we don't have to rush the likes of Wotherspoon into the NHL and hurt his long term progress. The fact the Flames are playing better than anticipated should not make them rush Wotherspoon.

[Red Menace]

I'm not sure Wotherspoon's future is higher than a number 4-5 D anyway....so why not bring him up. He certainly isn't a top 3 D man from what I've seen/heard.