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The Calgary Flames currently remain one of the lowest spending teams in the league which, by most accounts, is expected from a rebuilding team.
And while the above falls in line with what most expected with this group for the 2014-15 NHL season, Flames upper management still maintain that they plan on spending to the cap and improving their team at any chance that may arise.
"The only reason we haven’t been a cap team so far is we haven’t seen the value. But the second we do, (general manager) Brad Treliving is authorized to go right to the cap."
And that’s just it – the more I look into this group and what’s out there, the less I have to offer. Outside of Curtis Glencross, I don’t see much value in moving other players given what they can either fetch on the market, or what they actually offer this group moving forward.
With respect to the conversations around Glencross who has been receiving attention from other GM’s league wide, I believe he genuinely wants to stay in Calgary and it likely makes any negotiations difficult.
Given the number of players in Calgary who can play on the left-wing, especially with guys like Baertschi trying to crack the lineup, I think it’s reached the point where the Flames should part ways with Curtis and take in a few extra prospects or draft picks from the highest bidder. I’m not overly convinced that he would be missed, to be honest.
In terms of players who could be on the move that the Flames could have interest in, the list is quite short in my humble opinion. I don’t think Calgary looks hard at the upcoming UFA list to make improvements as it inevitable to over spend in order to bring someone in down the road, and generally speaking you won’t pay for a rental unless you feel you’re a contending team. So we could likely scratch off most upcoming UFA’s until the summer when they cost nothing but cash.
Where the Flames may be able to take advantage will be from teams who are needing to shed salary to make moves that will improve their own roster. There are teams like the Sabres, Hurricanes, Coyotes, Hawks, to name a few, who could offer a player or two of interest.
I’ll be perfectly honest though, I’ve gone up and down the list and the majority of players who teams are looking to move to accomplish the above are generally 30+ year old guys who, in my opinion, aren’t really needed at this point within Calgary. I can see the argument that an additional veteran could help in their continued efforts to develop players, but they also need to reward a few young guys who are playing well with ice time.
I do wholeheartedly feel that the Flames will make at the very least one or two moves before the deadline comes around, but it will not be names that we’ve likely discussed because Burke has a reputation for keeping things on the “hush-hush…. While Burke isn’t going to be the one pulling the trigger, he’s certainly still chatting around the league and offering his opinion on players. And given how he operates, I would almost guarantee that he’s got a few possible trade scenarios penciled down.
All things considered, the Flames are starting to slow down just a little and I get the impression that those in charge aren’t sweating by any means which is nice to see/hear. Let other’s come to you from a potential position of weakness and let that cap-room of yours work to your advantage, grandma always says.
Thanks for reading!