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I have received a few messages and emails over the past couple of days with respect to rumors floating around regarding the Calgary Flames.
As I started answering a few of them, I realized that it would be much easier to post my thoughts on the rumors being tossed around, that way we can discuss them a little more in depth here in the threads, or put them to rest.
The two teams rumored to be in discussions with the Flames are the Philadelphia Flyers, and Toronto Maple Leafs. That said, I’d like to start with the Flyers discussion which I feel has the most “chance”, if you will.
According to CBSSports.com, the Flyers have been kicking the tires regarding the possible acquisition of Flames winger Curtis Glencross. It really shouldn’t be to anyone’s surprise that teams who are looking to make playoff runs will be knocking at the Flames door all season long as they still ice a few valuable vets such as Glencross, Stempniak, Hudler, Cammalleri, or even Wideman. For a rebuilding team, the Calgary Flames still employ their fair share of veteran players and it appears that Glencross is the first to make the rumor list.
According to CBS, the Flyers sent assistant general manager Ron Hextall and director of scouting Chris Pryor to Washington for Calgary's first game of the season. Furthermore, they sent head pro scout Dave Brown to Columbus for Calgary's matchup the following night. It does seem a little fishy to me given that the season has just begun.
That said, do I see a possible trading scenario between the two teams at this point? Not really no, and that’s what bothers me as it’s typically instances like these where we miss something and a transaction develops between the two teams. The part that I find most odd is the fact that the Flyers are in need of defenseman, at least in my opinion they do. While I suppose some veteran leadership from a guy like Glencross could never hurt either, I would have thought that the team would be seeking immediate help on their backend and not up front. But I digress.
Fans appear to feel that a player involved in the trade scenario coming back from the Flyers would be 28 year old Braydon Coburn. Again, am I missing something here? Would the Flyers really consider moving a defenseman for Glencross? If this has any truth to it, I must have either assessed the Flyers needs incorrectly or they have a few other moves up their sleeves to make up for it.
While I could see the Flames having much interest in a few young players from the Flyers in exchange for Curtis Glencross who still holds a higher trade value, Braydon Coburn simply doesn't sound like a primary target to me.
On to the second rumor du jour; Brian Burke in Toronto and Jake Gardiner?
Brought up by fans all across the league after a comment from Elliot Freidman, it has been discussed over the past few days that Dave Nonis and the Leafs may be looking to deal young defenseman Jake Gardiner who has had a hard time making an impression with coach Randy Carlyle so far. With Brian Burke recently being in Toronto during the Sens game, fans were quick to jump to this rumor.
As mentioned, the first issue I have with this one is just how early these rumors have broken out. The Leafs have played three games so far this year, and just like any other young player in the league, Gardiner has had flashes of brilliances but also mental mistakes. It appears that fans, especially Leafs fans, feel that Gardiner may not be Carlyle material given that the defender is known more for his smooth skating abilities than his ability to play the body.
Whether this may be true or not, it is of my opinion that you don’t give up on a guy like Gardiner unless it means what you are receiving in return is something special...similar to unwarranted thoughts around Calgary with rookie Sven Baertschi.
That said, do the Flames have anything special they can afford to offer to the Leafs for Gardiner? No, they really don’t and even if they did, they have their own group of young talented defensemen coming up the ranks. For these reasons solely, I do not feel that they look to make any impact moves in this department, at least not anytime soon.
Is there a chance that Burke was scouting the game in Toronto, but looking at someone else? Absolutely there is – Burke has spent several years putting together the majority of the current Leafs roster and as a result knows many of the players quite well. There perhaps may even be a few players which he has knowledge of that Nonis isn’t overly fond of.
Is there anyone I can see that the Flames may have interest in from the Leafs?
Quite frankly, the Leafs are still considered a young team in the league, and as such, they have plenty of young kids who might not fit in with Carlyle’s coaching or Toronto’s depth at the moment. Essentially, any young kid that the Leafs may not have time or space for (Colborne), I get the impression Burke will be picking them off one by one.
And while I don’t anticipate any moves anytime soon between the two teams, expect there to be a lot of conversations between the former Leafs GM and Dave Nonis as the year progresses.
What do you guys personally think? Could you see any moves made between the Flyers and Flames to satisfy both sides? How about a second trade with the Leafs?
Thanks for reading!
Calgary Flames Blogger • 
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