With a big need to add up front and a lack of draft picks to deal from, Postmedia’s Eric Francis suggests that the Flames should consider dealing one of defensemen Dougie Hamilton or T.J. Brodie this summer. Calgary slotted in 26th overall in the league in goals and while they boasted one of the deepest defence corps in the NHL, that can only take a team so far when they struggle to score.
Both players would be sure to generate plenty of interest. Hamilton is coming off his fourth straight season with more than 40 points and is still just 24 years of age while carrying a $5.75MM cap hit, a more than reasonable amount for someone who plays the role he does. Meanwhile, Brodie is coming off somewhat of a down year but has a track record of being a productive player on the back end while his mobility suits the faster-styled pace of play. He has two years left on his pact with a $4.65MM cap charge. Flames GM Brad Treliving would undoubtedly like to keep his back end intact moving forward but if he is going to add some help up front, they may have to subtract someone from that group to do so. Fortunately, with the likes of Rasmus Andersson, Jusso Valimaki, and Oliver Kylington in the system, they have quality prospects that will be ready to step into a regular NHL spot in the near future.
Elsewhere around the West:
- Fresh off losing Drew Doughty for Game Two due to his one-game suspension, it doesn’t appear they’ll be getting Jake Muzzin back as a reinforcement either. Head coach John Stevens told reporters, including Jon Rosen of LA Kings Insider, that Muzzin has been skating but has not yet been cleared for contact. With that in mind, it’s hard to imagine that he’ll be given the green light to play on Friday without at least going through at least one practice with contact.
- The Blues’ addition of Winnipeg’s first-round pick at the trade deadline will allow them to be active in the trade market this summer, GM Doug Armstrong revealed to Tom Timmermann of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, among other reporters. That was the centerpiece of the Paul Stastny trade and its inclusion was particularly noteworthy since as things stand, St. Louis won’t have their own first-rounder to work with. (If the Blues win one of the top-three selections in the Draft Lottery, they can defer transferring the pick until next year.)
I vote changing the coach and see how deployments really go, before even thinking of trading a coveted defenceman like Hamilton. Brodie…maybe…but Hamilton? Who thinks of these things?? lol
Flames have Andersson, Kylington, Fox, and even Valimaki as potential trade bait…but so called experts (Francis in Calgary not included) even suggesting an established defenceman like Hamilton…at his age, for his salary…to be traded?? That’s ludicrous! It doesn’t make any kind of sense what’s so ever.
Who?
Not saying Hamilton should be the one to go, but the easiest way to acquire a quality forward would be to move one of their defenders. Moving a prospect would require a little bit of salary cap manuevering while also potentially complicating the team’s salary cap in the future.
Dougie will not be dealt. Just stop it already.
The Flames have a couple contracts coming off the books, plus the cap is going up. If they were to trade say Brodie or Stone…there would be plenty of room to sign a pretty good player in the 5-6 mil range.
Just with players I can see where the Flames will let walk? That’s about 7-8 mil opening up. Just over 2 mil available already and cap going up about 5 or so. Plenty of room to fit a good player or 2.
Trade TJ or Dougie to Tampa for some mix of Palat, Killorn, Johnson, or JT Miller
Two of those should help out the scoring, while addressing Tampa’s need of a 2nd pairing d man and salary off the books.
That’s kind of interesting
Except Flames don’t really need centres or left wings. Top 6 RW is preferable, unless there is a 1st round pick included.