Calgary Flames: Some Thoughts on the Trade Deadline
Curtis Glencross is a hot commodity and recently subject to trade rumours. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Jeff McIntosh)
The deadline is February 28th and the focus on the Flames seems more prominent than ever.
Darryl Sutter had been pretty famous for making big trades in his last few years as GM. From the Brad Stuart for Andrew Ference trade, to the blockbuster Dion Phaneuf trade, and the beginning of his demise, the first Jokinen trade, Sutter never held back. In the case of all of these, the deals never worked out.
Stuart showed no interest in re-signing with the Flames, the Phaneuf trade blew up in the faces of both sides, and the Jokinen trade completely messed up the chemistry the Flames had going at the time.
So what’s the situation with the Flames’ new GM now?
Up until recently, know-it-all fans and hockey analysts alike were pressing for a rebuild, as though it was the only option. Names like Jarome Iginla, Robyn Regehr, and Miikka Kiprusoff were consistently thrown around, at it seemed as though it was only a matter of time before the Flames attempted to collect some draft picks. This is no longer the case.
Though Jay Feaster won’t disclose what is happening and what talks he’s involved in, he did say that he is not getting the calls about the big guys; his colleagues are respecting the recent playoff push that the Flames have made, and acknowledge that they’re actually playing really well. The Flames are definitely in a different trading position. So what else has Feaster confirmed?
“We’re not going to be a seller.” That one seems final.
A buyer?
Only if it doesn’t involve “deficit spending,” as Feaster put it. Essentially, he doesn’t see the logic in dealing high picks from 2012 to make up for the lack of picks in 2011, and I don’t blame him.
Seeking some to create something out of a….well…..disaster that is the Flames’ cap, Niklas Hagman was put on waivers this week (that he later cleared) in addition to the re-entry waivers Ales Kotalik was placed on again (also cleared………shocking).
So maybe Feaster has something cooking up. A first-line centre is still needed, but how likely is it that the Flames could make that work?
If he managed to get rid of that Matt Stajan contract (underrated in the “WTFFFFFF Sutter!?!?” department), I’d consider him a magician.
Other than that, Feaster is not terribly interested in changing the chemistry of the lineup, unless there is an offer he can’t refuse. Some UFAs of interest include Curtis Glencross and Alex Tanguay. Given the cap space plus how well these two have been playing, the Flames may be worried about their ability to sign them in the offseason.
But forget those two, GMs around the league, because I have a proposition for you! Staios! Is! Available!
And remember, this is prime time for Twitter trade BS, so don’t believe everything you hear.
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