After learning that Juuso Valimaki will miss a considerable amount of time following ACL surgery, the Calgary Flames are in a bit of a pickle. The team needs to clear some cap room in order to sign Matthew Tkachuk, but can’t afford to send out T.J. Brodie to do it anymore. With Valimaki out their defensive depth is razor thin, which is why Flames GM Brad Treliving told reporters including Pat Steinberg of Sportsnet that the team will “be looking externally” for an addition on the blueline. Treliving did mention Oliver Kylington as an internal option.
While this news comes right as rumors swirl around Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen, the Flames would need to move out even more money if they brought in an expensive option like the young Finn. Ristolainen carries a $5.4MM cap hit for the next three seasons, a deal that would leave very little room to sign Tkachuk. The most obvious move now would be trading Michael Frolik, who is on the final year of his deal and has been involved in trade talks in the past. In fact, Frolik was expected to be included in a deal that would have brought Jason Zucker to Calgary at the trade deadline, though that transaction was never completed.
There are certainly no shortage of defensemen the team could go after, but if they want an inexpensive player who can make the same kind of impact that was expected of Valimaki this season they will need to give up more than just Frolik. Those kind of players are few and far between, and usually cost quite a bit in trade if they are even available.
Of course there is always the free agent market as well, though it’s not clear if Treliving wants to go down that route. Veterans like Dion Phaneuf, Dan Girardi, Adam McQuaid and Ben Lovejoy are out there still, along with younger options like Ben Hutton and Alex Petrovic. None of those seem like perfect fits, although they would likely come at a reasonable cost.
One player to consider may be Boston Bruins defender Kevan Miller, who was recently included in some trade speculation thanks to another cap crunch. The Bruins have their own financial troubles when it comes to signing restricted free agents, given they still need to get new contracts done with Charlie McAvoy and Brandon Carlo. The pair of young defenders are huge parts of the team’s future, and with Miller on the final year of his contract he could be moved out to make a little extra room. The 31-year old carries a $2.5MM cap hit, though his right-handedness may be an issue for the Flames, who already have Brodie, Travis Hamonic and Rasmus Andersson who normally line up on the right.
In any case, there are things to come for Treliving and the Flames who will likely have to pivot any trade talks they’ve had over the last few weeks and months while also hammering out a new deal with Tkachuk.
Please take Jack Johnson
Thank you. Would have said exactly that if you hadn’t already.
Thanks for fixing the reply’s!!!
Nobody wants jack, especially a cap strapped team in the flames
Sorry it took so long.
We’re just glad they’re here. Thanks!
Would think the Bruins would be more willing to part with John Moore than Miller. And Moore can play left side.
I’d think the Bruins would be happy to unload either but I’m sure teams have concerns over Miller being able to stay healthy and Moore’s contract is pretty ugly for a 6-7th defenseman.
Yes indeed a big dill, sorry for pun on in a pickle , as on Spotrac I see the Flames have only $7,007,025 to sign Tkachuk , and Mangiapane. Now that we lose Valimaki, now having to seek a trade and yes Frolik at $4,300,000 if moved is added to cap space, now they have to seek a low cost defenseman , and still give Tkachuk his money , Phaneuf returning to Flames seems like good choice if not Girardi, McQuaid or Lovejoy would be cheap options to look hard at. Tough road ahead to find the trade route and signing another D-man. Gotta get use to new reply’s options. Thanks Gavin.
Just relish the thought, Gerald!
Thought you thought buying out Brodie was an option? Even tho it isn’t, they have FatRass as well knocking on the door for full time and Kylington. They still have internal options with some exp. But its thining.
Wreckage, In a recent story line , since I believe you are referring to myself in my comments regarding Brodie, that was before Valimaki tore his ACL , been busy haven’t had a chance to get back to you and do appreciate reminding me of my comment. As of right now unless things change , Flames need him paired with Giordano. It is now my belief now that Treliving is now as read on another site he is looking at options to make a trade for a defenseman, is why I have thrown out the name of Michael Frolik to move out to acquire what I would hope would be a right hand shot defenseman, maybe bring back Davidson on another PTO contract, maybe look at Moore though a lefty, more offensive than righty Miller, Vatanen is a righty maybe might be a good option for Frolik , and maybe throw in Jacobs in deal ?????
The Flames can still move out Brodie. They just need a cheaper, serviceable d-man in return.
if they move out Brodie they would need 2 defenseman and if you look at rosters of minor leagues and prospects , not a lot of depth on backend, so moving Brodie would be bad move.
They have about 8 guys left with some NHL exp.
Thanks mac, liked the relish joke ,didn’t catch it at first, getting older as of the other day,. rotflmao
Hope you had a Happy One!
link to capfriendly.com
Giordano ????
Hanifin Hamonic
Kylington Andersson * Top 3 Pairings
Reserves: Davidson
Valiev
Prospect: Yelesin
7 Defenseman have game experience no others on roster have any Nhl games , Yelesin maybe top prospect(0 NHL Games) still see if they can move Frolik and get roster player or prospect with some NHL experience, on minimum salary.
Vatanen and 3 round pick for Zucker
My bad zucker is on Minnesota forget that trade I didn’t have my coffee this morning
link to rotoworld.com
Good news on Flames regarding injury and that Treliving is exploring trade options to acquire a defenseman.
Brendan Smith and a prospect from Rangers for Frolik