[News] Calgary Flames' struggles wearing on honcho Brian Burke

[868904]

Originally Posted by Fire

So if defense is a priority and he wants to get bigger.

Current line-up:
Giordano 6' 0" 200lbs - Smallish but doesn't play small and of course is the Captain. I think he's safe.
Brodie 6' 1" 182lbs - Below average size and does not play a physical game, but hasn't reached his potential yet.
Wideman 6' 0" 200lbs - Below average size. Tries to dish out the occasional big hit, but no one would call him a physical defenseman. Wouldn't surprise me if Burke moved him.
Butler 6' 1" 196lbs - Below average size non-physical defenseman. With Feaster gone I would be shocked if he was back.
Smid 6' 3" 209 - Good size and plays the physical game. A solid bottom pairing D-man. He's not going anywhere.
O'Brien 6' 3" 230lbs - He's occasionally in the press box, but being one of the few defenseman on this team with size I doubt he's traded.
Russell 5' 10" 173lbs - Impressive season for the Flames but tiny and a pending UFA. I think Burke needs to decide between Russell and Brodie. My guess is Russell gets traded at the deadline.

My prediction: Butler and Russell are not back next season. Everyone else stays.

Others:
Smith 6' 1" 197lbs - Below average size, not back next season to make room for another player.
Breen 6' 7" 224lbs - With his size he will be re-signed to a 2-way deal.
Billins 5' 10" 175lbs - Tiny guy with offensive talents. The Red Wings dumped him last season, I wouldn't be surprised if the Flames do the same.
Cundari 5' 10" 200 lbs - Another midget, but built much bigger. Not bad offensively as well. I think that gives him the edge over Billins to if only one of them stays.

My prediction - Smith and Billins will not be back.

Man Feaster had such a fetish for small defencemen.

[Buff]

Originally Posted by sergei_makarov

His comments about upgrading the defense first are interesting. Maybe he wants to do that because he is set on drafting one of the forwards and not Ekblad?

Wideman would get the most interest of the defencemen not named Giordano.

Maybe he wants to ensure that he has a good group of veterans, youth, size, skill, speed so that he can safely add in a blue-chip prospect and properly develop him.