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)
- dal_johnson

First off, Wideman is signed for 2 more years. So pretty safe to say that, barring a trade, he'll be back after next year.

As for expecting Gillies to make the jump, Jonathon Quick has been the only goalie in many many years to make the jump from NCAA to the NHL in less than 2 full years of post college/university hockey. So, perhaps we should temper our expectation of him becoming that #1 stud by the 2017/18 season. Thus making sense of the desire for the Flames to fill the goaltender gap for the next 2-3 years.

Speculation abounds! Thank God the draft is only 4 days away, and Free Agency opens in 10.

All of us would love to have a wire tap on BT's Blackberry, or be a bug in his ear. At least the wait is almost over.

Then we can b!tch and moan about what happened.

??
- whipper334

Re: your comment on McDavid breaking his leg in 5 spots....

First off, Wideman is signed for 2 more years. So pretty safe to say that, barring a trade, he'll be back after next year.

As for expecting Gillies to make the jump, Jonathon Quick has been the only goalie in many many years to make the jump from NCAA to the NHL in less than 2 full years of post college/university hockey. So, perhaps we should temper our expectation of him becoming that #1 stud by the 2017/18 season. Thus making sense of the desire for the Flames to fill the goaltender gap for the next 2-3 years.
- TandA4Flames

I was reading this the other day and thinking the same. Gilles looks pretty dammed good, but he will definitely need a couple years (at least) to adjust to the work load. As a college players, he'd have played in 35-40 games per year, and that would have been most of the teams games. There will be an adjustment in the schedule and also the role in learning to be a pro and playing more frequently.

Probably looking at 2 full years in Stockton before we should be thinking about him challenging for a spot in Calgary. Remember, Ortio was a 2009 draft pick who is, just now, going into the 15/16 season looking to challenge for an NHL spot. It shouldn't be a stretch to think Gilles, a 2012 draft pick, isn't developed to a point to challenge until 17/18 or even 18/19?

Goalies just take time to develop.

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...
- Saskabush

This trade talk about moving Ortio is asinine. He is potentially our #1 moving forward. Move Hiller, let Ramo walk if you must, for (frank) sakes can we stop talking about moving Ortio! Remember how pissed we all were when CGY used a high 2nd to draft another goalie (MacDonald). Move Ortio and you're looking at BT using another 2nd to add to the G prospect pool. NO THANKS.

As for Okposo, he's only 27, big and can score. Acquire him, don't pay an arm and a leg, but try for him. Then, move out Hudler to re-acquire some of the assets we lost on getting Okposo. I wouldn't give up #15 + but if we trade down to acquire another asset(s) and use that as part of a trade for Okposo, great. Then we are looking at resigning a mid 20’s top 6 RW with size instead of a 30 something that will soon decline.

This trade talk about moving Ortio is asinine. He is potentially our #1 moving forward. Move Hiller, let Ramo walk if you must, for (frank) sakes can we stop talking about moving Ortio! Remember how pissed we all were when CGY used a high 2nd to draft another goalie (MacDonald). Move Ortio and you're looking at BT using another 2nd to add to the G prospect pool. NO THANKS.

As for Okposo, he's only 27, big and can score. Acquire him, don't pay an arm and a leg, but try for him. Then, move out Hudler to re-acquire some of the assets we lost on getting Okposo. I wouldn't give up #15 + but if we trade down to acquire another asset(s) and use that as part of a trade for Okposo, great. Then we are looking at resigning a mid 20’s top 6 RW with size instead of a 30 something that will soon decline.
- TandA4Flames

I agree on the Ortio front. It would be nuts to trade him. I just keep thinking that with all this talk of the Flames going after a goalie that there may be something else that has some goalie depth going out. Hence the need to replace.

As for Okposo, I think he would be a great pick for this team (granted I'm one of the ones that is also big on Lucic). Okposo fills an exact specific need. Big, RW, can score, mid 20's. But at the same time I in no way want to give up #15 to get him. The Islanders do not have a pick before the 3rd round. So definitely offer a 2nd to them, and I think that it would take either Wideman or Hudler. They could definitely use a top 4 defenseman and Wideman would fit that bill (and I was mistaken earlier on the years left on Wideman's contract). So start with Wideman and a 2nd and tweak from there. I think it will take one more piece from the Flames. Maybe a Granlund or a Shore. That may be much so throw in something lesser from Isles.

Calgary and Edmonton would be wise to go after Malcomb Subban as future #1 and go with Hiller and Scrivens till Subban takes over. Subban can be had as he is ready and Rask is locked in for years.

I agree on the Ortio front. It would be nuts to trade him. I just keep thinking that with all this talk of the Flames going after a goalie that there may be something else that has some goalie depth going out. Hence the need to replace.

As for Okposo, I think he would be a great pick for this team (granted I'm one of the ones that is also big on Lucic). Okposo fills an exact specific need. Big, RW, can score, mid 20's. But at the same time I in no way want to give up #15 to get him. The Islanders do not have a pick before the 3rd round. So definitely offer a 2nd to them, and I think that it would take either Wideman or Hudler. They could definitely use a top 4 defenseman and Wideman would fit that bill (and I was mistaken earlier on the years left on Wideman's contract). So start with Wideman and a 2nd and tweak from there. I think it will take one more piece from the Flames. Maybe a Granlund or a Shore. That may be much so throw in something lesser from Isles.
- dal_johnson

I'm on board with a play for Okposo, he absolutely fits the bill for the Flames biggest need. What about considering different complimentary parts in this trade? That would give the Islanders a RW replacement for now for Okposo, and the top 4 D-man, but also allow that RW to audition for NYI for beyond next year? It also moves out a piece who doesn't likely fit into the Flames' long term plans.

Wideman, Jones, #52(2nd rd)
For
Okposo and #72(3rd rd from Florida), or #82 (3rd rd)

Calgary will be the next Canadian team to win the Stanley cup.

How you beauts doing today?

It's crazy...I can't get the blogging mentality out of my head with the draft coming up!

How you beauts doing today?

It's crazy...I can't get the blogging mentality out of my head with the draft coming up!
- Colin Dambrauskas

Hey Colin, how's life? Good to see you are still alive, unless you gave your login info to someone.

??
- whipper334

Where's your impostor?

I'm on board with a play for Okposo, he absolutely fits the bill for the Flames biggest need. What about considering different complimentary parts in this trade? That would give the Islanders a RW replacement for now for Okposo, and the top 4 D-man, but also allow that RW to audition for NYI for beyond next year? It also moves out a piece who doesn't likely fit into the Flames' long term plans.

Wideman, Jones, #52(2nd rd)
For
Okposo and #72(3rd rd from Florida), or #82 (3rd rd)
- InSutterWeTrust

I don't think there is enough in that trade. I think the islanders are looking to cash in on Okposo and at the very minimum they would be looking for a player, a prospect and a 1st round pick. He is a top line RW with size and they know half the league is looking for that exact player. My guess they would be looking for something like:

Wideman
Porier
2015 1st round pick

maybe the Flames could get away with

Wideman or Hudler
Shore(If the Flames can get him in a signed and then put him in the trade)
#53 2nd round pick
#52 2nd round pick

In my opinion that would be a stretch of a deal to get done. He scored 51 points in 60 games, he is a 1st line RW, he is still young and he is in a contract that is VERY cap friendly for this year for a top line RW. He will be looking for a big raise next year as he is a UFA but there are a tonne of teams looking for this exact player.

Hey Colin, how's life? Good to see you are still alive, unless you gave your login info to someone.
- Lahey

Nope...been kicking around! Been good though, had a bit too much going on at once so needed a break

Nope...been kicking around! Been good though, had a bit too much going on at once so needed a break
- Colin Dambrauskas

I know how you feel, I ended up with two beer and a rye in my hands Saturday. Had to sit down and catch up

I know how you feel, I ended up with two beer and a rye in my hands Saturday. Had to sit down and catch up
- Lahey

I have a lot of catching up to in that regard!

I don't think there is enough in that trade. I think the islanders are looking to cash in on Okposo and at the very minimum they would be looking for a player, a prospect and a 1st round pick. He is a top line RW with size and they know half the league is looking for that exact player. My guess they would be looking for something like:

Wideman
Porier
2015 1st round pick

maybe the Flames could get away with

Wideman or Hudler
Shore(If the Flames can get him in a signed and then put him in the trade)
#53 2nd round pick
#52 2nd round pick

In my opinion that would be a stretch of a deal to get done. He scored 51 points in 60 games, he is a 1st line RW, he is still young and he is in a contract that is VERY cap friendly for this year for a top line RW. He will be looking for a big raise next year as he is a UFA but there are a tonne of teams looking for this exact player.
- buddy_doug

You could be right, but that is still way too much for us to give up at this stage in the rebuild. Some of these deals remind me of something Sutter would have done

Instead of giving up assets I'd much rather see us pay a guy like Joel Ward 5 mill for 3 years. He's the perfect fit for one of our biggest needs (big RW that plays tough along the boards and can score). Despite his age I don't think he is about to see any significant decline over the next 3 or 4 years (he was a late bloomer, played out both his junior and college eligibility before turning pro etc.)

Where's your impostor?
- Lahey

Hi Lahey

It might seem crazy but I have no problem if the Flames go after a guy like Talbot.

(frank) it, we need to find a goalie somewhere, it's not going to be Ramo and it sure as hell isn't Hiller (not that I mind either of them as stop gaps). Ortio and Gillies are still both question marks, Mason MacDonald is a long ways away. I don't want to relieve the years of Kidd, Brathwaite, Turek, Cujo, Fuhr (hahaha, man those were the days!). Finding a true number one is almost like buying lottery tickets, so I'm all for it!

You could be right, but that is still way too much for us to give up at this stage in the rebuild. Some of these deals remind me of something Sutter would have done

Instead of giving up assets I'd much rather see us pay a guy like Joel Ward 5 mill for 3 years. He's the perfect fit for one of our biggest needs (big RW that plays tough along the boards and can score). Despite his age I don't think he is about to see any significant decline over the next 3 or 4 years (he was a late bloomer, played out both his junior and college eligibility before turning pro etc.)
- Saskabush

Agreed!
I'd rather us overpay someone in UFA by 2million dollars (we'll still whine about it)
then have make a trade giving up draft picks PLUS serviceable players that just creates another hole on our team (I would say Wideman and Hudler are definitely more than just serviceable...they play a major role on our team!!)

Then you're still left with Okposo being UFA the following year and possibly losing him or having to overpay him anyway!!!
Let's skip losing draft picks, prospects and throwing away great parts of our team in Hudler/Wideman and just throw out some UFA money instead

Hi Lahey
- The-O-G

Where you been hiding?

It might seem crazy but I have no problem if the Flames go after a guy like Talbot.

(frank) it, we need to find a goalie somewhere, it's not going to be Ramo and it sure as hell isn't Hiller (not that I mind either of them as stop gaps). Ortio and Gillies are still both question marks, Mason MacDonald is a long ways away. I don't want to relieve the years of Kidd, Brathwaite, Turek, Cujo, Fuhr (hahaha, man those were the days!). Finding a true number one is almost like buying lottery tickets, so I'm all for it!
- The-O-G

You even look at the true #1's nowadays they seem to have off years thus making you have a more solid team if you want to compete year after year. I said a few years back anyone that locks into a 7 year deal with a goalie is crazy, now I feel like anything more than 4 and you are leaving yourself open for failure.

Where you been hiding?
- Lahey

Took a hiatus there for a bit, been busy and work too. Glad to see we have someone blogging, not sure how long that will last

How have you been? On the wagon? Off the wagon? How is your team of Oiler cronies behaving lately?

Took a hiatus there for a bit, been busy and work too. Glad to see we have someone blogging, not sure how long that will last

How have you been? On the wagon? Off the wagon? How is your team of Oiler cronies behaving lately?
- The-O-G

I was gone too. First guy I looked for when I came back was HA, then Laughs, then , Iggy, then Napolean, then Jero and then another 40-50 posters, but after all those guys I looked for you.

These cronies have gone wild. They go through 3-5 alts a day.

But much like you I've been busy. Playoff time is horrid for me, consumes much of my life. Then Basketball was on so I watched that as well. I essentially became a burden to society.

Agreed!
I'd rather us overpay someone in UFA by 2million dollars (we'll still whine about it)
then have make a trade giving up draft picks PLUS serviceable players that just creates another hole on our team (I would say Wideman and Hudler are definitely more than just serviceable...they play a major role on our team!!)

Then you're still left with Okposo being UFA the following year and possibly losing him or having to overpay him anyway!!!
Let's skip losing draft picks, prospects and throwing away great parts of our team in Hudler/Wideman and just throw out some UFA money instead
- cpltanto

Good call fellas! Burn the cash while we have the room!