Meh. Brodie is relatively safe but he's not offering much offensively anymore. Even at his peak his offensive game was pretty weak with one of the worst shots in the league. Despite seeing his PP time drop nearly a full minute in Toronto, Barrie was still a lock for 40-45 points, had terrific shot volume from the back end and seems to be less of liability than Brodie in terms of give-aways.
With Gio declining and Andersson not quite there yet, this team needs a PP1 QB and Barrie would fit the bill.
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I hate to tell you this, but I’ve just launched an air biscuit
The Flames have generally been better with UFA defensemen.
Wideman was fine until that incident. Hannan was a pretty good signing (both these two were both Feaster). Engelland was better than expected.
No real disasters.
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The Flames have generally been better with UFA defensemen.
Wideman was fine until that incident. Hannan was a pretty good signing (both these two were both Feaster). Engelland was better than expected.
No real disasters.
Wideman was pretty bad his first two years, good in the third and then bad again. he could never skate well.
Hannan? Scott Hannan? I don’t regard that as a good signing.
Wideman was pretty bad his first two years, good in the third and then bad again. he could never skate well.
Hannan? Scott Hannan? I don’t regard that as a good signing.
Hannan was 1 year and 1 mill.
Spent the entire year playing in the top 4.
Although I'm pretty sure he had very poor advanced metrics.
My point is that none of these were disasters. And two of them were Feaster, so I don't even know why I'm making this point, really.
This isn't the hill I'm willing to die on. That hill is Markstrom.
Last edited by 1qqaaz; 10-07-2020 at 02:50 PM.
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I’d take Barrie. But I doubt the Flames have true interest. I think the rumour was floated to drive his price up for the oilers to sign him at a premium.
I imagine Brodie is looking for a pretty good payday with some term. Barrie on a cheaper "show me" type contract may be what the Flames are looking at. Whether Barrie would go for that is a different question.
He had a down year by his standards, and the Toronto media (as they tend to do) pooped all over him for it.
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I prefer Brodie - much prefer Brodie, actually. Him and Giordano were the top pairing in the league for various metrics often, were they not? Not this past season I don't think... but isn't Brodie one of the best shot-suppression defencemen in the league? One of the best zone exit defencemen too? I thought he has clearly been the best defencemen on the Flames every single playoff round, including this past playoffs. He is also the best defender against McDavid and MacKinnon, that's for sure. I would feel much more comfortable (and happy) having him re-sign in Calgary, but I guess in the end - like every other player in the NHL - dependent on term and cap hit.
Barrie will most definitely be a cheaper option I bet. I always wanted the Flames to acquire Barrie, but with Andersson looking like a solid 2nd pairing defencemen (and growing!), I can't imagine having Barrie on the 3rd pairing. I don't think that Barrie would do well on the top pairing - he isn't as bad defensively as people make him out to be, but I don't think he is solid by any stretch - at least not nearly solid enough to be on a top pairing facing the best every game.
I do think that he can improve defensively - just like Hanifin. Hanifin has often been an adventure in his own end since he entered the NHL, but I think his defensive game has grown by leaps and bounds. Still not awesome, but very competent as a top 4, and still improving in my opinion. Barrie stalled out in Toronto I think defensively. If the Flames acquire him, it is going to be interesting to see how they fit him in. I don't think he should be on the top pairing, but I don't think they should break up the 2nd pairing either. I am sure they will find a way to manage the ice time and match-ups somehow - at least until he improves (which I think will happen).
I like Barrie's upside though. I always liked him as a player since he entered the league. I do think he has room to improve, and I do think that Calgary can help him do just that. I just think it may be an 'adventure' for a while. That's why I still prefer Brodie. He is just excellent at transitioning and actually playing defence now, especially against elite skaters.
