With the NHL Draft just a couple days away and the Calgary Flames aggressively working the phones rumors surrounding the team are coming fast and furious.
I'll defer to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman for the latest.
Transcription via TodaysSlapshotAs part of a discussion on available players:
“I mean, Jonas Hiller. I’ve said before on your station I believe they will try and – and Jiri Hudler too. I’m sitting here and looking at Pittsburgh and saying this is a team that wants a winger to play with Malkin and Crosby. I’m wondering if Hudler might the kind of fit that Pittsburgh is looking for.
I could see Edmonton having a lot of interest in Ramo. I could see the possibility in that. I mean, that’s one of the things we’ve kind of heard, that if they don’t land Talbot that maybe Ramo is one of the guys they start to look at.…
There's a lot to get to here so I'll jump right into it:
- I've talked about the possibility of trading Hiller a lot in this space and I really don't get why Brad Treliving and co. are so adamant about it. He was 19th among 47 goaltenders (minimum 1,000) with a .926SV% during 5 vs 5 play. He was ahead of Sergei Bobrovsky, Ben Bishop and Semyon Varlamov, among many others, in that regard. I don't foresee his trade value being overly high so selling low on an above average goaltender to bring in a replacement who may not be as good seems counter productive.
- Jiri Hudler was excellent for the Flames last season but I think the Flames are smart to at least listen to offers for his services.
Prior to last year's 31 goal, 76 point outbreak his previous career highs in goals and points were 25 and 57 respectively. That's over an eight year NHL career. Is it more likely he's the guy we saw last season or the guy who traditionally records ~50 points per season? My money is on the latter.
He needs a contract after next season and he'll be 32 by that time. If he has another solid season he'll be looking for a big payday and I don't think it's smart to give a player a lucrative contract when he's going to decline.
If there is a good offer on the table the Flames should take it while his value is high.
- As for the possibility of Hudler being traded to Pittsburgh it makes sense and it doesn't. On one hand the Pens want another top-6 forward and Hudler makes just $4 million this season. They can fit that in the budget. I'm not sure that will be the case long-term, though.
The other issue - this time from Calgary's perspective - is the Penguins have been peddling Brandon Sutter and would probably want to send him Calgary's way in a potential Hudler deal. The problem there is Sutter's perceived value is a lot higher than his on-ice value. He's a possession anchor who generally gets caved in at even-strength and his point production isn't nearly high enough to make up for it.
The Pens have just one pick in the top-4 rounds and don't have many good, young players they'd part with - Derrick Pouliot, Olli Maatta, etc. are staying put - to sweeten the pot, either.
- Lastly if the Oilers strikeout on Cam Talbot or any other trade options and want to target Ramo all the power to them. He finished 33rd among 47 goaltenders in 5 vs 5 save percentage (minimum 1,000 minutes) and, though he'd be an upgrade over what Edmonton has in goal, he's certainly not the answer long-term.
Ramo certainly isn't bad but he'll probably want a raise over the $2.75 million (per season) he's made over the last two years and I'm not sure he's worth it.
Recent posts On potential trade targets up front & in goal