Pick your ultimate trade deadline scenario

[Poe969]

Every year there are decent players who are avialable even the day after UFA starts. I don't think the Flames will sign any big name players because I doubt any want to come here, what they can sign are second tier players much like the guys they should trade. I doubt Cammy would even re sign here unless we over pay for him. If Stajan, Stempniak, SOB, Butler or even Russell go to the summer unsigned, I doubt they'd be signed the first day anyway because teams go after the better players.

Fact of the matter is, the Flames aren't really a good team anyway. Having guys like Stajan and Stempniak around aren't going to push us over the edge to be a contender or even a playoff team. Guys like that don't have any real intangibles that can't be replaced by a player that can just be signed in the off season. Another way to pick up those vets is to just trade for them in cap dump situations. I'm sure right now there are teams that would be willing to give up a cap dump player and a 4th for a 5th if we really wanted or had to reach the cap floor.

The Flames need to build the team in order to be a decent team anyway. I think they've been labled as a toxic destination for players for a few years now anyway, not good enough to make the playoffs and not bad enough to get better players in the draft. I think the Flames are in a better position after finishing the lowest they ever have then they were after a few 9th place finishes.

[neo45]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

This idea of flipping guys we signed in the last year or two has to die. This isn't NHL 14 folks. If the Flames go around flipping UFA's we signed 15 months ago, Calgary will become a toxic destination to any players who have a choice in the matter.

I'm all for moving out veterans for picks if we have younger players who can step into their roles, or if the return is high. But sign and flip is bush league. And the Flames management isn't bush league enough to actually do it, so get the idea out of your head.

Who are you talking about? Because Galiardi and Russell didn't sign here as UFA's, the Flames traded for them when they were RFA's then signed them

Wideman and Hudler are the only guys on the team who came over in free agency and neither are going to be traded

[Jacks]

It would make a great sales pitch for Feaster during free agency.

"Come to Calgary, we don't care about you, you're not part of our future and we'll flip you for a pick at the deadline". "Got kids? don't worry, they won't mind changing schools every year"

[Yoho]

Originally Posted by Jacks

It would make a great sales pitch for Feaster during free agency.

"Come to Calgary, we don't care about you, you're not part of our future and we'll flip you for a pick at the deadline". "Got kids? don't worry, they won't mind changing schools every year"

I think it will be a while before we really need to worry about free agency "making or breaking" this team

[Poe969]

ya, they should go back to their old ways: "Come to the Flames, this time we'll make it for sure!"

I'm not saying that the Flames should sign Statsny or that high profile of a UFA to a one year deal but look at what the stars did with Jagr; sign a player once in a while like that and trade him at the deadline or sign a few guys to 2 or 3 year deals and then if things aren't working out they can be traded then. I don't get why some of you are so against trading vets, it's part of the game.

[Jacks]

Originally Posted by Poe969

look at what the stars did with Jagr; sign a player once in a while like that and trade him at the deadline

I imagine a guy like Jagr would prefer to be traded to a contender at the deadline so he can take another run at the cup, he is literally at the end of his career. Most UFA's are probably looking for stability in their lives and for their families.

Originally Posted by Poe969

I don't get why some of you are so against trading vets, it's part of the game.

Nothing wrong with trading vets when it makes sense, I think what most people are disagreeing with is signing UFA's just to flog them off later for extra picks.
- Many UFA's wouldn't find that desirable and it could affect our reputation.
- It makes it hard for the team to gel and bond when we have a revolving door.
- It is a waste of time to have veterans coming here for 60 games, and taking up a roster spot that could be used to develop a young player, when they have no future with the team.

My 2c

[TheDebaser]

Imho, it could work in the right circumstance. It's really not that bad of a deal for a player to be signed and flipped to a contender at the deadline. As long as you are completely upfront about it.

The player who signs is guaranteed two things. A good contract, and a shot at the cup.

Give them a 4-6 team list that they could make at the trade deadline.

All of a sudden they have a great chance of playing for the cup, no chance of their chosen team turning out to be a dud and a great contract to boot.

If the flames are up-front about their motives from the get go, then there's no reason that something like this couldn't work out for everybody, especially with the cap going up. We could practically sign a second rounder.

My 2c

[dying4acup]

Remember 1 thing about Brian Burke. Historically he has refused to ask any player with a full no trade clause to waive. He brought the Christmas no trade period to Calgary, so I bet he brings this too.

In signing any UFA in the offseason, agents will be very aware of Burkes history. It works in the flames advantage to have that credibility and respect. Feaster operated in a similar way with Jokinen.

All that aside. My ideal situation is to trade all pending UFAs for the best available offer. In addition, take on a bad contract or 2 for draft picks. The flames need to win this draft.

Cammy-1st
Stempniak-2nd
Stajan-2nd
Offer Russell a deal for 1-2yrs, if he declines, 2-3rd pick

I don't think any flame has a full NTC currently.

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by dying4acup

Remember 1 thing about Brian Burke. Historically he has refused to ask any player with a full no trade clause to waive. He brought the Christmas no trade period to Calgary, so I bet he brings this too.

In signing any UFA in the offseason, agents will be very aware of Burkes history. It works in the flames advantage to have that credibility and respect. Feaster operated in a similar way with Jokinen.

All that aside. My ideal situation is to trade all pending UFAs for the best available offer. In addition, take on a bad contract or 2 for draft picks. The flames need to win this draft.

Cammy-1st
Stempniak-2nd
Stajan-2nd
Offer Russell a deal for 1-2yrs, if he declines, 2-3rd pick

I don't think any flame has a full NTC currently.

Wideman, Giordano, Glencross and one more.

[FBI]

Cammy is starting to pile up the minuses like Stempniak. Better to trade him sooner rather than later I think.

[Caged Great]

Realistically, the Flames have too many forwards in the organization both in terms of veterans and prospects.

We've already moved out Jackman and I believe that several other guys will be joining him soon. We need to get assets in return for each of Stajan Stempniak and Cammalleri, as well as Butler/Smith/Russell (if he does re-sign). In terms of ice time next season, huge portions of that will be eaten by graduating guys like Poirier, Ferland, Gaudreau, 1st round pick (assuming forward).

There just is not enough room to keep any of these guys moving forward.

When it comes to the UFA period, I would spend like drunken sailors on our defense. We have no real up and comers on the back end beside Sieloff so if we spend on the defense we could be cap compliant while fixing a shorter term issue. In 2-3 seasons when incoming future draft picks are showing that they are ready to step in.

As much as I loathe Dion Phaneuf, if you offer him a 3/21 or 4/28 contract that wouldn't be painful. You could also target other younger guys like Diaz Niskanen, Nikitin or Girardi.

[albertGQ]

^^^
I don't think Porrier, Gaudreau, or Ferland will make the Flames next year.
And the only NHL ready player in the upcoming draft IMO is Ekblad and I don't think we'll finish low enough to draft him.

[Gaskal]

Originally Posted by albertGQ

^^^
I don't think Porrier, Gaudreau, or Ferland will make the Flames next year.
And the only NHL ready player in the upcoming draft IMO is Ekblad and I don't think we'll finish low enough to draft him.

Poirier and Gaudreau I can see tearing up the AHL for a while before they get the call up. I don't think management wants to launch them into the thick of it early and have unsustainable success like Sven did last year.

Ferland I can see getting a permanent or a long-term call up quite early.

[ricardodw]

Originally Posted by FBI

Cammy is starting to pile up the minuses like Stempniak. Better to trade him sooner rather than later I think.

Difference in Cammalleri and Stempniak (for the month of November):

Cammalleri 14 games played 7 goals 9 pts -9
Stempniak 9 games played 0 goals 2 pts -11

Even playing on a line with Stempniak Cammalleri is scoring at a 40 goal pace.

Heading into the playoffs and teams looking for a impact player to add would give Cammalleri a pass on the crappy +/-

Hint: Patrick Kane is the team's worst +1 on the Hawks but will be in consideration for the Hart. Kanes 16 goals in 31 games counts for a bit more than his +/-.

[CSharp]

As much as I hate making this suggestion, I think the Flames need Butler around. Not that Butler is need to improve or stabilize the defence, but this team needs to be in the very bottom of the basement in order to get a good rebuild. I think the Flames can get some pretty decent trade value for some of the frontline vets like Cammy, GlenX, and Stempniak. Flames don't want to give up too many centers. So, Stajan will likely stay if we can sign for a good deal or get another centerman in place of him. This team needs to build on big centerman, which will pay off later.