Toss Cammy to Washington, I think since Erat has publicalyl said he wants out you could hose them on a deal

Cammy, and retain 2m of his salary to make the cap works for Erat and a solid prospect, like Dmitri Orlov.
- DDM-Coga

This kind of makes sense. I've often thought Cammi would fit in quite well with WSH. Getting a package like Erat and Orlov would be similar to the NYI trade for Vanek in that we get a player that can still potentially flipped at the deadline for another 1st. I would rather get a 1st from WSH though instead of Orlov I think. I don't know enough about his progress. Although I suspect he's been sent back to the AHL because WSH already has enough of this type of Dman at the NHL level.

If they are seriously thinking of trading backlund then he better not see anymore 4th line duty ... Put him in some sort of a scenerio where he has at least one player to play with ... If they are willing to put jackman on the second line then backs deserves a better shot than this ... If he spent all year with guys like hudler or cammy he would have a lot more points ... I get that guys like Monahan and colborne are given better opportunity to succeed but with what backlund has been given to play with I don't see any harm in sliding him up to at least top 9 ...when healthy glenx has been given a pass all year ... He has scored a few big goals but I've seen more mistakes then should be allowable from him this year ... Maybe Curtis should spend a period or two on the 4th

Yeah that's weird he hasn't come over yet.
- whipper334

Hes such a gamble, all world talent, always says he wants to play in the NHL, but never comes over, apparently has hurt his shoulder seriously a few times already.

This kind of makes sense. I've often thought Cammi would fit in quite well with WSH. Getting a package like Erat and Orlov would be similar to the NYI trade for Vanek in that we get a player that can still potentially flipped at the deadline for another 1st. I would rather get a 1st from WSH though instead of Orlov I think. I don't know enough about his progress. Although I suspect he's been sent back to the AHL because WSH already has enough of this type of Dman at the NHL level.
- TandA4Flames

Thats why I think taking Erat can play in your favor, put him in a Top 6 Offensive role, personally I think he would excel under Hartly, so let him increase his value again bc he was misused on the one dimensional Team Ovechkin.

Build him up and you can move him again in the offseason showing teams he still has a lot of value left, or you can decide to keep him and try and move a guy like Jones again

I've said it in other threads. You can't have the expectation that Backlund will produce offensively when he is constantly playing on a line with Bouma and McGrattan. To ask him to step up that side of his game and give him next to no tools to work with makes no sense.

I honestly believe that he should be put on the wing, and it should be on the wing with Monahan and Baertschi. Then he definitely has offensive tools to work with and can contribute to. And his much developed defensive abilities (to which he is playing great now) will balance out the short comings of the two rookies (as they develop their defensive game). Even have him take over as center in the defensive end, and Monahan handle that position offensively. Two capable centermen to take draws is also a great advantage.

The other lines will work out from there. Put Hudler with Cammi and Colborne, and Stajan with Stempniak and Glencross. They wanted to try Galiardi as a center, then have him center that 4th line. His style of play may contribute to the energy / physical aspect that his needed in a 4th line.

Regardless it is too early to give up on Backlund. Once Stajan is gone for next season (1 has to assume he won't be back next year) then the position isn't such a log jam and Backlunds spot in it becomes much more clear.
- dal_johnson

Nailed it... Unless its something over the top coming back in return... the coaches need to play him with "like" players as I don't see Backlund as a grinding center that'll drop the mitts against the other squads 4th line...

would you move Wotherspoon or Rampage?
What if the deal is added to, Cammalleri and a D propsect, for Connolly and a conditional draft pick (2nd to 3rd?) if he resigns

Helps soften the risks of trading for UFA and for colnnolly who knows if he is over his hip issues.
- DDM-Coga

Arent they talking about Brett Connolly? I thought he had hand issues? Tim Connolly had hip issues

Arent they talking about Brett Connolly? I thought he had hand issues? Tim Connolly had hip issues
- sbroads24

There were questions about Bretts hip during his draft year. Thats why he dropped down the draft board a bit I believe. Must be a "Connolly" thing.

Arent they talking about Brett Connolly? I thought he had hand issues? Tim Connolly had hip issues
- sbroads24

I think Tim had concussion issues.

For some reason

I could see Erat playing pretty well under Hartley's system. Fast, defensively accountable, all about offense by committee.

That said, it should be assumed that Gaudreau will finish his college season and get a legitimate shot in a top-6 role before the season ends. If we're trading Cammy, we probably won't be replacing him in the same trade.

I could see Erat playing pretty well under Hartley's system. Fast, defensively accountable, all about offense by committee.

That said, it should be assumed that Gaudreau will finish his college season and get a legitimate shot in a top-6 role before the season ends. If we're trading Cammy, we probably won't be replacing him in the same trade.
- fry

Not a guarantee that he plays for Calgary though, he's still a junior so he could decide to stay in school for his senior year, which would prevent him from playing for the flames.

Taking in Erat would be.. questionable. The guy doesn't want to be on washington because he wants playing time, and we've all seen this season that it doesn't matter who you are, playing time on the top lines is not a guarantee. Plus, a 32 year old winger is far from what Calgary needs.

Not a guarantee that he plays for Calgary though, he's still a junior so he could decide to stay in school for his senior year, which would prevent him from playing for the flames.

Taking in Erat would be.. questionable. The guy doesn't want to be on washington because he wants playing time, and we've all seen this season that it doesn't matter who you are, playing time on the top lines is not a guarantee. Plus, a 32 year old winger is far from what Calgary needs.
- Talking_hockey1

Gaudreau has stated that his goal is to finish the college season and (if everything works out) play for the Flames. Obviously, he doesn't get to make 100% of that decision, but it sounds like he would prefer to make the jump than finish his senior year, given the chance.

Not a guarantee that he plays for Calgary though, he's still a junior so he could decide to stay in school for his senior year, which would prevent him from playing for the flames.

Taking in Erat would be.. questionable. The guy doesn't want to be on washington because he wants playing time, and we've all seen this season that it doesn't matter who you are, playing time on the top lines is not a guarantee. Plus, a 32 year old winger is far from what Calgary needs.
- Talking_hockey1

Gaudreau was quoted in the off-season saying that he wanted to stay to play a season with his brother on the team. Matt Gaudreau has only played in two games though so it looks like that was more of a concession to keep Johnny on the team. I guess we'll see though, not the end of the world if he stays for another year.

Not a guarantee that he plays for Calgary though, he's still a junior so he could decide to stay in school for his senior year, which would prevent him from playing for the flames.

Taking in Erat would be.. questionable. The guy doesn't want to be on washington because he wants playing time, and we've all seen this season that it doesn't matter who you are, playing time on the top lines is not a guarantee. Plus, a 32 year old winger is far from what Calgary needs.
- Talking_hockey1

But I think Hartley's proven that vets will play. Also, I think the point of acquiring Erat wouldn't be for Erat himself but for a 2nd asset that would be of bigger interest to the Flames. Plus I believe he is signed for 1 more year so maybe that would be a consideration for management to have another vet in the line up once Cammi, Stajan and Stempy are traded.

But I think Hartley's proven that vets will play. Also, I think the point of acquiring Erat wouldn't be for Erat himself but for a 2nd asset that would be of bigger interest to the Flames. Plus I believe he is signed for 1 more year so maybe that would be a consideration for management to have another vet in the line up once Cammi, Stajan and Stempy are traded.
- TandA4Flames

He clearly doesn't seem to be the right kind of vet or have the right kind of attitude for our rebuilding team
he sounds selfish and entitled!

I'd rather have cammy, stajan and stemps back on the team next year...even guys like Jones and Galiardi are playing with heart because these kind of players know they are lucky to be playing and are being given second chances in a sense. Same with Giordano - undrafted player. These kind of vets play their hearts out because they don't feel entitled to be in the league or playing a specific role or number of minutes

That's why we got rid of Tanguay....and that's why we can't have Erat's attitude on this team. He would be purely negative value in my eyes

He clearly doesn't seem to be the right kind of vet or have the right kind of attitude for our rebuilding team
he sounds selfish and entitled!

I'd rather have cammy, stajan and stemps back on the team next year...even guys like Jones and Galiardi are playing with heart because these kind of players know they are lucky to be playing and are being given second chances in a sense. Same with Giordano - undrafted player. These kind of vets play their hearts out because they don't feel entitled to be in the league or playing a specific role or number of minutes

That's why we got rid of Tanguay....and that's why we can't have Erat's attitude on this team. He would be purely negative value in my eyes
- cpltanto

Completely Agree!

Erat


I'd rather see Craig Conroy in the lineup then Martin Erat

He clearly doesn't seem to be the right kind of vet or have the right kind of attitude for our rebuilding team
he sounds selfish and entitled!

I'd rather have cammy, stajan and stemps back on the team next year...even guys like Jones and Galiardi are playing with heart because these kind of players know they are lucky to be playing and are being given second chances in a sense. Same with Giordano - undrafted player. These kind of vets play their hearts out because they don't feel entitled to be in the league or playing a specific role or number of minutes

That's why we got rid of Tanguay....and that's why we can't have Erat's attitude on this team. He would be purely negative value in my eyes
- cpltanto

Not really a fan of Jones, guy has potential to be good but he often shies away from the dirty areas and settles of the pass or the outside shot. Galiardi on the other hand drives the net and uses his speed. Keep the later move the former IMO. Only thing i could see working with Erat is the there are two other Czechs on the team (Hudler and Smid) that could work out well.

But still, I think getting a guy like Erat would be a mistake, They moved Jacks because theres guys in abbotsford that are playing their way into the lineup and Erat would take up another space. Also, it's not like calgary needs to take on another players cap hit when they can eat half of cammy's salary should he be moved, it's $3 mill for the rest of this year or $4.5 for this year and next. No thank you. keep the course, get assets (young guys and picks) and let the players play their way onto the roster.

Also, anybody notice the WHL scoring leaders? over-age (20), and undrafted, Mitch Holmberg has 27g 34a for 61pts in just 26 games! lighting it up for the Spokane Chiefs. Could be risky at NHL level because he's only 5'10" and 175lbs, so pretty small, but has put up good numbers the last few seasons. Can only imagine he's on a lot of teams radars

Remember when Hartley let Backlund play with Cammy and Hudler for half a game and they had 6 points combined. Next game right back to the fourth line. Only other wingers he's really played with are Galiardi, who also has been dissapointing offensively and Stempniak or Jones when they were a: Slumping or b: returning from injury or c: all of the above.

I like the way Colborne is playing and agree that he also shouldn't be on the fourth line but maybe there's another center we have that's a little bit older with a little more value?
- XXVariation

I think Hartley is very biased. Once a player gets on his bad side it is difficult for them to be back on the good side. Look at how biased he is in favour of Berra. Is Berra really so much better than Ramo that you can justify Ramo only getting one start since Berra was called up?

I think Hartley is very biased. Once a player gets on his bad side it is difficult for them to be back on the good side. Look at how biased he is in favour of Berra. Is Berra really so much better than Ramo that you can justify Ramo only getting one start since Berra was called up?
- flamminghead

Ramo deserves a start but Berra did carry Hartley's Swiss team to a championship. He's going to be a very good goalie after a year or two of adjusting to the North American game. With Ramo, I'd be happy if he got 12 more starts and got flipped at the deadline for a 3rd-4th.

That said, Ramo really deserves another chance. He's a good goalie.

Anyone seen Lahey around these parts???

I've been away the past week but I still owe him on a bet.