With the NHL Entry Draft just a few days away and the Calgary Flames reportedly working the phones aggressively they're surfacing in plenty of rumors.
Most of the speculation has been about potential changes in goal but some new rumors have surfaced as well.
Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman has mentioned that the Flames are looking for a big bodied two-way player and recently tossed out David Backes, Bryan Bickell and even Milan Lucic as potential trade targets.
Some thoughts on the latest surrounding the Flames:
- First and foremost it's not a surprise the Flames are looking for a big bodied forward. Calgary had their lunch handed to them by the Anaheim Ducks in the 2nd round of the playoffs and Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry and Ryan Kesler - three very talented but gritty players - were the biggest reasons for that.
This is a copycat league and, though the Ducks didn't win the Cup, they had great success this season and beat the Flames because of their size/skill. Now it seems Calgary is trying to copy that formula.
- I think Calgary could benefit from a guy like David Backes but I also think they could benefit from a guy like Phil Kessel. The Flames aren't overly interested in Kessel - likely due to his big contract - but the point is they don't have to add a big body to improve their team. Skill will work just fine. If they can get a skilled player who plays with an edge that's ideal but trading for a possession anchor just because he hits isn't a good idea.
- As for the names Friedman tossed around I'm not sure any would be great fits. Backes is a very good player and would certainly help but a) it'd take a lot to get him and; b) he's a UFA next summer. That means the Flames could pony up quality assets and lose Backes after a year or they'll be forced to hand out a big contract that they're trying to avoid. The same can be said for Milan Lucic.
Bickell fits more into what Calgary's price range in that he's signed for two more years at $4 million per. The Flames could certainly work that into their payroll.
The problem is that Bickell has just 58 points in 176 regular season/playoff games over the last two seasons. That's .32 points per game, which isn't worth $4 million per season even though he is fairly solid in possession.
- The Ottawa Sun's Bruce Garrioch is reporting the Flames have only shown mild interest in Robin Lehner. I think that's a good thing.
I don't want to beat a dead horse but a) the Flames don't really need a goaltender and; b) Lehner's numbers have been very mediocre, which means he's probably not an upgrade over Hiller (at least yet).
Lehner has potential but the Sens want a top-6 forward in return for him and it makes zero sense for the Flames to pay that price.
Should the Flames want to bring in a new goaltender I think they'd be best off saving their assets and signing a free agent like Michal Neuvirth on the cheap.
We'll find out soon if GM Brad Treliving feels the same way.
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