I understand the interest in a goalie, since the market is there this year and there are plenty of guys worth taking a shot on...

My personal preference (depending on cost of course) is:

Dubnyk
Talbot
Lack
Ramo
Bernier
Jones
Neuvirth

Ortio is developing well, but he's still no sure bet. And Hiller's not the long-term solution so let's bring in someone else while the options are plentiful.

In JJ's thread he talks about a Canadian team being willing to take Bickell if his knee checks out.

What do you guys think about bringing in a guy like that at low cost? When healthy he brings as much to the table as Lucic, but at almost no cost and with far less drama...

I still completely believe that there is no reason for the Flames to trade for a goalie.

That is unless they have a potential trade in the works that involves them giving up one of Hiller or Ortio, and they are confident that they will not be able to re-sign Ramo.

Otherwise stay the course in the re-build. Run with whatever pair out of Hiller, Ramo, and Ortio works. Give Gilles a year in the AHL. I think he will be closer than most think. Remember he is older than most as he is coming out of college, not junior.

Maybe next season start to address the goal situation if it needs to be, but now is not that time. Now is the time to address defensemen and top 6 wingers with size (right or left) as after next season I see 2 holes there as I'm not convinced that Hudler will be back, and I believe that Poirier will slot into the top 6.

I still think their biggest target right now needs to be to move up to the top 10 of this draft. Players like Werenski, Crouse, Rantanen, Zacha, or Meier would be perfect additions to this team. And at 15 they are on the outside looking in at those. I've said a few times about the Sharks, but if not there really try Colorado at #10.

Does Colorado really want to wait on another young draft pick to develop? Especially if all of Hanafin, Provorov, and Werenski are gone at #10. They really do not need another forward draft pick at this stage. And other defensemen in this draft will still be there at #15. They have to believe that they are close and that last season was a blip. Offer them Something along the lines of Wideman and / or Granlund, and #15 for #10. I don't they could do it without #15 (and a 2nd instead), and maybe take something lesser back, and consider retaining salary on Wideman.

I know that Wideman leaves a hole in another area of need. But I don't see him coming back after this season, and believe that he will get more in return now than he will at the deadline. Plus if the Flames are in playoff contention at the deadline they really can't trade him then and risk losing him for nothing. Trade him and take the hit now to come out better on the other end. Address the hole this off season. I say go after Cody Franson as a UFA, a very similar player but younger. There are other UFA's as well on interest (Martin, Beauchimin, Odyua, McQuaid, Michalek)

In JJ's thread he talks about a Canadian team being willing to take Bickell if his knee checks out.

What do you guys think about bringing in a guy like that at low cost? When healthy he brings as much to the table as Lucic, but at almost no cost and with far less drama...
- jtommyt

There seems to be a few power forwards out there in trade talk. Bickell, Lucic, and Okposo being the main ones.

I'm hesitant on Bickell as even when healthy he hasn't played close to he did on that one playoff run. Starts to come across as a guy that only shows up when he thinks it matters. Flames need a guy that shows up every night.

Lucic can be a bit of a head case, but I still think he can greatly contribute.

And I do really like the idea of Okposo, but I think he will take the most to try to get as the Islanders aren't in a cap situation. If he can be acquired without giving up the Flames 1st, then I would really go after that.

And so will Ramo..
- Nucker101

Apparently Florida is open to trading their pick away. The report mentioned that they were after scoring help, but they have also been rumored to be after a backup goalie (preferably a young goalie with upside to take over for Luongo).

Do you guys think their could be a deal in place to trade say:

Ortio
15th overall

for Florida's 11th overall?

This might not be a bad deal, and could explain why we've been rumored to be in on so many young goalies. If they did do this I'd still rather see them resign Ramo, but I'm willing to bet that he doesn't want to share the role with Hiller for another year.

Edit:

At 11 someone like Crouse, Provorov/Werenski, Rantanen could be available. So a deal like this could be very dependent on how the first 10 picks shake out at the draft.
- Saskabush

I'd be a fan of going after the #11 pick, but not at the expense of the #15. A 4 spot jump just isn't worth giving up an established asset like Wideman, Hudler, or even Granlund or Jooris. If something can be worked out that includes Ortio, and a forward plus one of our 2nds. That would be ok.

Ortio, Hudler, #52 for #11. Would be something I could get behind, and having 2 picks in the top 15 would mean options. I'm not particularly keen on moving Hudler based on how he meshed with 13 & 23, but in terms of the rebuild, it might not be a bad idea to capitalize on asset value and trade high. Alternatively, Ortio, Jooris, and #45 might be workable too.

Would Talon do that? Who knows?

I'd be a fan of going after the #11 pick, but not at the expense of the #15. A 4 spot jump just isn't worth giving up an established asset like Wideman, Hudler, or even Granlund or Jooris. If something can be worked out that includes Ortio, and a forward plus one of our 2nds. That would be ok.

Ortio, Hudler, #52 for #11. Would be something I could get behind, and having 2 picks in the top 15 would mean options. I'm not particularly keen on moving Hudler based on how he meshed with 13 & 23, but in terms of the rebuild, it might not be a bad idea to capitalize on asset value and trade high. Alternatively, Ortio, Jooris, and #45 might be workable too.

Would Talon do that? Who knows?
- InSutterWeTrust

I agree with you on Hudler. I'm hesitant to deal him due to the chemistry that he developed.

What has to be asked is are they going to be able to, or do they want to, bring him back after this season. If not then he has to be traded. So it's trade him now, or trade him at the deadline. I think that the return would be more now. And if the Flames are in the playoff race at the deadline, then they can't really trade him then and will risk losing him for nothing.

I'm starting to think Ramo was approached and didn't show much interest in resigning with Calgary. I can't really think of another reason the Flames would be going after all these other goalies.

I agree with you on Hudler. I'm hesitant to deal him due to the chemistry that he developed.

What has to be asked is are they going to be able to, or do they want to, bring him back after this season. If not then he has to be traded. So it's trade him now, or trade him at the deadline. I think that the return would be more now. And if the Flames are in the playoff race at the deadline, then they can't really trade him then and will risk losing him for nothing.
- dal_johnson

You guys could be right, but I just don't think that that is very good value for Hudler. If we have to add Ortio and a 2nd to get a 1st then maybe we'd be better off waiting for the TDL and hoping somebody overpays. If not, we can just resign him and try to flip him when more of our kids are developed.

I'd pay something like Ortio and 2 of our 2nds for the 11th though...

I agree with you on Hudler. I'm hesitant to deal him due to the chemistry that he developed.

What has to be asked is are they going to be able to, or do they want to, bring him back after this season. If not then he has to be traded. So it's trade him now, or trade him at the deadline. I think that the return would be more now. And if the Flames are in the playoff race at the deadline, then they can't really trade him then and will risk losing him for nothing.
- dal_johnson

Wideman has 2 years left. I was on the Carolina thread earlier & they are targeting a 2nd pairing veteran. They want rid of Semin's 2 years at 7.0mil, Wideman was one of their top targets of veteran D that may be available. How about Semin & the #5 pick for Wideman/#15, #53 & Granlund?

Just think how huge a rebuild piece that #5 spot would be. Semin for 2 years would give me acid reflux but Ill just eat an extra red apple on game nights for the 2 years.

Wideman has 2 years left. I was on the Carolina thread earlier & they are targeting a 2nd pairing veteran. They want rid of Semin's 2 years at 7.0mil, Wideman was one of their top targets of veteran D that may be available. How about Semin & the #5 pick for Wideman/#15, #53 & Granlund?

Just think how huge a rebuild piece that #5 spot would be. Semin for 2 years would give me acid reflux but Ill just eat an extra red apple on game nights for the 2 years.
- Kevin R

Semin actually has 3 years left. I'm also pretty sure it would take Wideman & 15 in your above scenario in order to move up that far.

I'd do that so long as the numbers still work in the second year of that Semin contract. That is the year that new contracts for Giordano, Monahan, Gaudreau, and Russell will hit. And the year after that will be Bennett's. Ideally they will all be bridge contracts for the younger guys, but in today's NHL there no longer is any real guarantee of that.

The Flames can take on some bigger contracts, but they have to be careful on the term of them.

Semin actually has 3 years left. I'm also pretty sure it would take Wideman & 15 in your above scenario in order to move up that far.

I'd do that so long as the numbers still work in the second year of that Semin contract. That is the year that new contracts for Giordano, Monahan, Gaudreau, and Russell will hit. And the year after that will be Bennett's. Ideally they will all be bridge contracts for the younger guys, but in today's NHL there no longer is any real guarantee of that.

The Flames can take on some bigger contracts, but they have to be careful on the term of them.
- dal_johnson

When Semin was on his game he was a great player. That was a while ago. But IF you could get him to play a full season in decent form it could be a real positive for the team. But thats a big if.

When Semin was on his game he was a great player. That was a while ago. But IF you could get him to play a full season in decent form it could be a real positive for the team. But thats a big if.
- Mr.Pink

I'm in no way saying I'm big on Semin as a player. When he puts in the effort he is a top player. But you have to get him to put in that effort.

But if having to deal with him / put up with him for 3 years, with the chance that he will step up, means that the Flames can get to 5th overall and probably be able to draft one of Hanifin or Provorov, then it is a headache worth taking. It all depends on how the Cap situation will work with that contract on the books for next year and the year after.

And while he may be a pain in the dressing room, I have complete confidence in Giordano's and Hartley's ability to make sure all are listening to the right message.

I'm in no way saying I'm big on Semin as a player. When he puts in the effort he is a top player. But you have to get him to put in that effort.

But if having to deal with him / put up with him for 3 years, with the chance that he will step up, means that the Flames can get to 5th overall and probably be able to draft one of Hanifin or Provorov, then it is a headache worth taking. It all depends on how the Cap situation will work with that contract on the books for next year and the year after.

And while he may be a pain in the dressing room, I have complete confidence in Giordano's and Hartley's ability to make sure all are listening to the right message.
- dal_johnson

Who knows, maybe a year in the AHL will make him decide to "retire" and bolt for the KHL? Win-win

Edit:

But why would Carolina do this? They are in need of a rebuild, I don't think they are in cap hell are they? ....or is this more for budgetary reasons?

...5th overall is a huge price to pay for a rebuilding team...

I'm starting to think Ramo was approached and didn't show much interest in resigning with Calgary. I can't really think of another reason the Flames would be going after all these other goalies.
- Hunkulese

Not that we as fans no FA but I remember BT being interviewed on the Fan locally and saying he has had conversations with ramo's agent but he wasn't sure what "market value" he had so the Flames would wait. Don't think its a case of the Flames didn't approach more so Ramo plans to test the water.

Any talk of trading Ortio unless its for top 5 is not smart. Had Gilles not signed (or thrived), Ortio would be the future and more or less is. Again its yr 3 of the rebuild and the pieces to the puzzle we need go beyond this year. To me the ideal is Ramo signed for 3 years, Hiller trade bait. Ramo and Ortio earn the starting job and play until they lose it. Gilles starts in the A and we see what the next couple of seasons looks like from a development standpoint. If Ramo bolts, ride the Hiller/Ortio train until... Unless we have one of the (available goalies) come to us with little given up, meh, let things be...

Who knows, maybe a year in the AHL will make him decide to "retire" and bolt for the KHL? Win-win

Edit:

But why would Carolina do this? They are in need of a rebuild, I don't think they are in cap hell are they? ....or is this more for budgetary reasons?

...5th overall is a huge price to pay for a rebuilding team...
- Saskabush

But for them it's isn't about Cap, so much as it is about budget. I don't think that they ever pay to the cap. So to have a player making that amount of money and not contributing is much harder for them to handle.

And in there they have some bigger contracts that they will soon have to deal with like Eric Staal.

I don't think that they would do this. I think that there are much more realistic trade options out there like Boston, San Jose, Colorado, or the Islanders. But the idea of it does seem attractive.

I'm in no way saying I'm big on Semin as a player. When he puts in the effort he is a top player. But you have to get him to put in that effort.

But if having to deal with him / put up with him for 3 years, with the chance that he will step up, means that the Flames can get to 5th overall and probably be able to draft one of Hanifin or Provorov, then it is a headache worth taking. It all depends on how the Cap situation will work with that contract on the books for next year and the year after.

And while he may be a pain in the dressing room, I have complete confidence in Giordano's and Hartley's ability to make sure all are listening to the right message.
- dal_johnson

Yeah I agree. We still lack the high end goal scorer, and if he could become that it would be a steal. But, if not, its 10% of your team salary for a whole lot of....Semin.

Who knows, maybe a year in the AHL will make him decide to "retire" and bolt for the KHL? Win-win

Edit:

But why would Carolina do this? They are in need of a rebuild, I don't think they are in cap hell are they? ....or is this more for budgetary reasons?

...5th overall is a huge price to pay for a rebuilding team...
- Saskabush

I agree, a team that may be shopping Eric Staal is NOT looking to move down a draft board. I think they are looking at this year's class and hoping for the potential of a Getzlaf-Perry combo to result from moving Staal for another 1st rounder.

I think they are stuck eating Semin's deal (for now), they might move Staal and Ward for some picks/prospects and wait things out until Semin's contract is not such a burden for another team to bear.

Picks I think are viable:
#3 - Arizona has been public about shopping the pick, BUT, I don't think we land it without paying an extremely high price
#7 - Philly may be comfortable moving down for a prospect/pick if they can shed a little salary in the process (Luke Schenn)
#9 - It sounds like Doug Wilson came out and said he was shopping the pick, and the ransom to move up 6 spots may not be huge
#10 - Colorado should be in a win-now (or win-soon) mentality, they need to add some vets, and with a shallow FA pool, they make look to deal sooner than later
#11 - Florida has a lot of youth already (Huberdeau, Ekblad, Barkov etc), they may be looking for vets to play alongside the youth

All that said, I don't know that the Flames can either:
1) move Hiller to acquire any of these picks given the depth of goaltending on the market
2) afford to move Wideman or Hudler right now. They have said all along that they want a veteran presence to bring along the youth movement, and to reward this team by stripping it down further is not the way to go IMO

So that leaves them with either moving a prospect (Klimchuk, Seiloff, Wotherspoon, Ortio/Gillies/MacDonald), which I don't see happening as a means of moving up in the draft, or combining their picks in the 2nd/3rd with their 1st to move up (won't get you far I don't think) or taking on salary in addition to moving their 1st and 2nd/3rd's, which I assume to be the most likely scenario if they were to look to move up in the draft.

Lastly, I can't recall if it has been brought up too often, but what if the Flames elect to move DOWN the draft? That's a real possibility as well, if the right veteran was offered up (short term, decent dollars) in exchange.

There are so many factors out there, but I think the honest question that has to be asked in any trade scenario is, not what are the Flames getting, because that's fairly obvious, but what would incent the team on the other side of the transaction to get things done. The answer, in most, if not all, cases, is not going to be Jonas Hiller.

Whip, you playing woth hour lead pipe right now?

Trevling is doing his due diligence in checking out those players being put up for sale.

Often in these cases the real target of interest is mentioned during discussions to gauge interest of the other party in another deal. Treat it as an ice breaker. What if Lunqvist is available... (This is just a hypothetical not any sort of reality.)

Many of the journalists race after these stories trying to get inside lines so many of the managers have got savvy and beat around the bush a little when dealing with other organizations. Many of the leaks are support staff so why not call regarding the known for sale and get the private sale at a discount.

I would be surprised if the Flames trade for another younger goalie when they already have 2-3 at various stages of development.

Look where the rumors are and find where the club is lacking. In the case of NYR I suspect it could be a defenseman... maybe Yandle?

In the case of Ottawa maybe Bobby Ryan, Alex Chaisson or maybe even Craig Anderson?

Whip, you playing woth hour lead pipe right now?
- TandA4Flames

??

Trevling is doing his due diligence in checking out those players being put up for sale.

Often in these cases the real target of interest is mentioned during discussions to gauge interest of the other party in another deal. Treat it as an ice breaker. What if Lunqvist is available... (This is just a hypothetical not any sort of reality.)

Many of the journalists race after these stories trying to get inside lines so many of the managers have got savvy and beat around the bush a little when dealing with other organizations. Many of the leaks are support staff so why not call regarding the known for sale and get the private sale at a discount.

I would be surprised if the Flames trade for another younger goalie when they already have 2-3 at various stages of development.

Look where the rumors are and find where the club is lacking. In the case of NYR I suspect it could be a defenseman... maybe Yandle?

In the case of Ottawa maybe Bobby Ryan, Alex Chaisson or maybe even Craig Anderson?
- Kraqule

Dude! Seriously? Maybe Chaisson but that's it.

I agree, a team that may be shopping Eric Staal is NOT looking to move down a draft board. I think they are looking at this year's class and hoping for the potential of a Getzlaf-Perry combo to result from moving Staal for another 1st rounder.

I think they are stuck eating Semin's deal (for now), they might move Staal and Ward for some picks/prospects and wait things out until Semin's contract is not such a burden for another team to bear.

Picks I think are viable:
#3 - Arizona has been public about shopping the pick, BUT, I don't think we land it without paying an extremely high price
#7 - Philly may be comfortable moving down for a prospect/pick if they can shed a little salary in the process (Luke Schenn)
#9 - It sounds like Doug Wilson came out and said he was shopping the pick, and the ransom to move up 6 spots may not be huge
#10 - Colorado should be in a win-now (or win-soon) mentality, they need to add some vets, and with a shallow FA pool, they make look to deal sooner than later
#11 - Florida has a lot of youth already (Huberdeau, Ekblad, Barkov etc), they may be looking for vets to play alongside the youth

All that said, I don't know that the Flames can either:
1) move Hiller to acquire any of these picks given the depth of goaltending on the market
2) afford to move Wideman or Hudler right now. They have said all along that they want a veteran presence to bring along the youth movement, and to reward this team by stripping it down further is not the way to go IMO

So that leaves them with either moving a prospect (Klimchuk, Seiloff, Wotherspoon, Ortio/Gillies/MacDonald), which I don't see happening as a means of moving up in the draft, or combining their picks in the 2nd/3rd with their 1st to move up (won't get you far I don't think) or taking on salary in addition to moving their 1st and 2nd/3rd's, which I assume to be the most likely scenario if they were to look to move up in the draft.

Lastly, I can't recall if it has been brought up too often, but what if the Flames elect to move DOWN the draft? That's a real possibility as well, if the right veteran was offered up (short term, decent dollars) in exchange.

There are so many factors out there, but I think the honest question that has to be asked in any trade scenario is, not what are the Flames getting, because that's fairly obvious, but what would incent the team on the other side of the transaction to get things done. The answer, in most, if not all, cases, is not going to be Jonas Hiller.
- rmull905

FWIW BB has said that only one team above Calgary in the draft has expressed any interest in trading picks with Calgary.

Trevling is doing his due diligence in checking out those players being put up for sale.

Often in these cases the real target of interest is mentioned during discussions to gauge interest of the other party in another deal. Treat it as an ice breaker. What if Lunqvist is available... (This is just a hypothetical not any sort of reality.)

Many of the journalists race after these stories trying to get inside lines so many of the managers have got savvy and beat around the bush a little when dealing with other organizations. Many of the leaks are support staff so why not call regarding the known for sale and get the private sale at a discount.

I would be surprised if the Flames trade for another younger goalie when they already have 2-3 at various stages of development.

Look where the rumors are and find where the club is lacking. In the case of NYR I suspect it could be a defenseman... maybe Yandle?

In the case of Ottawa maybe Bobby Ryan, Alex Chaisson or maybe even Craig Anderson?
- Kraqule

Bobby Ryan's not coming to work for BB!

Flames are going to regret it if they don't resign Ramo.
- Hunkulese

Have to agree. In a perfect world, Hiller's traded, Ramo's signed and earns the #1 starter role, Ortio plays 25-32 games.
Ramo relishes in knowing 1 bad game doesn't mean sitting!