Step Into The Freezer
By Stacy Shaikin
It’s been a busy few days in the hockey world. Between the Nash trade, the Weber signing and the dreaded CBA meetings there are a number of issues to discuss throughout the hockey world. But this is a Flames blog and although the Flames have been on the quiet side since development camp these three issues above definitely could have some effect on how Flames management might proceed in the next little while.
Let us start with how the Rick Nash trade affects the Flames going forward. It speaks to how the squad wants to treat the Jarome Iginla situation. The package Columbus received was less than stellar. Dubinsky for one is way overpaid despite the fact he is a nice character player who can pot a few when he is right. Anisimov has some definite upside but he has shown inconsistencies in his game and most pundits believe his ceiling is as a checking centre with some offensive flair. Erixon is still a prospect who projects as a solid two-way defencemen. On another note it is sweet to see a guy who forced his way out of Calgary end up playing for a broken franchise. Isn’t it? I digress...the final piece to the trade is of course the first round pick. I am a big fan of collecting those picks but you can never be sure what you will end up with and with Columbus’ inability to draft I wouldn’t bet on it being a sure thing, especially since it is a Rangers selection which should be in the 20s. So...if that is the haul for Nash what could the Flames hope to get for Iginla if in fact he decides he wants out and they have to trade him? Nash is in his prime while Jarome is winding down his. The verdict for me is too re-sign him so he can finish his career here as I don’t want to see the team get a bunch of spare parts for arguably the best player in franchise history.
Now that Shea Weber is a Predator for at least another year as they can’t trade him until 2013 as per the CBA... what does that do to the market for defencemen? We know the Flames have a glut at the position and we can safely assume they are working to move from that position to bolster the forward ranks. You have to think that teams looking for defensemen are going to be more aggressive now that the book is closed on Suter and Weber. I think we could see a move sooner rather than later.
Unlike most fans I love CBA talk. Now I do not want to see a work stoppage or anything but I do enjoy discussing the business of hockey almost as much as I do the hot stove and the game itself. There is seemingly a rush to get guys under these long term contracts as the talk is those days are going to end with a new CBA. Does this mean the Flames could throw an offer sheet to a restricted free agent? Obviously this site is buzzing about Jamie Benn and if he gets an offer it will probably be a 7-10 year deal with big dollars attached. I would love to see him don the Flaming C, however, I would never give up that many first rounders for one player. I feel really good about what John Wiesbrod and his team could do with those picks. The days of the Flames blowing it at the draft are over. Let someone else make a stupid 10 year offer to a player. I’ll take my chances with our draft guru. I hate those long term deals for professional athletes. It’s like putting a salesman on salary with no commission. Do you think they will sell anything with their money guaranteed? The reason NFL players are willing to destroy their minds and bodies on a weekly basis is they are aware if they don’t they will be cut. You need to dangle the carrot even with the most dedicated athletes. If I am a GM I never go beyond 6 years and if said player is over 30 I wouldn’t go past 3.
I am really looking forward to how the rest of the offseason puzzle plays out for the men is red.
Thanks for reading and catch you on the next one.
Twitter account:@sshaikin
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