Colin Dambrauskas: Calgary Flames: Who Needs Cammalleri More?

While it's good to keep some vets around during a rebuild I don't see why he sticks around. 31 years old, has dealt with injuries throughout his career and has never won a cup.

Seems to me he's a guy that will be trying to sign with a contender next summer.

My guess is, that he gets moved.

I have no qualms with Mike. I feel that you let him play, and you keep your ear to the ground about interest for him. I assume he is still looking to be moved and thus I'd be honest with him. Tell him he will have plenty of minutes to prove his worth to the rest of the NHL. If he wants to stay, a contract can be worked out throughout the year (unlikely) and if he wants to go, this will be the best opportunity for him to land his next contract. Cross your fingers he performs, trade him at the deadline or just before, eat a bit of cap if it increases the return and voila.

As for what I'd like to see in return for Mike, a 1st would be great but highly unlikely. I'd take a 2nd and a mid tier prospect.

Send him off to Ottawa, they offered him a contract once before he signed in Montreal, im sure they are still interested. Ottawa has a bunch of young forwards who look like they could be top 6ers but right now with the Sens talent, probably wont crack it.

Michalek Spezza Ryan
MacArthur Turris (x)
Conacher, Zibanejad (x)

Pageau, Condra, Greening, Puempel, Stone, DaCosta. Thats a lot of young guys fighting for 2 roster spots, too good to play on the 4th line.

Pageua and Greening are probably the most likely to take those spots, but if the Sens want to make a run at it this season. Adding Cammy to the top 6 would make a really scary team, which they will need in a very tough division

Nice piece, Colin.

Rebuilds are hard to sell to any fanbase, but I think especially hard in a market like Calgary where expectations tend sometimes to be too high and the Flames are (mostly) the only game in town.

But those hard bottom rebuilds are where greatness eventually comes from.

That said, Camalleri should be dealt to the highest bidder for futures.

6 million cap hit may be hard to move

6 million cap hit may be hard to move
- houseofcards74

He is heading to UFA land after this season, plus the Flames do have the option of retaining some of his salary. Teams are always looking to add a little fire power around the trade deadline. I'm expecting he will move around then.

6 million cap hit may be hard to move
- houseofcards74

Dont say that, we need to move a 6.6m cap hit in Stastny for Dhelp

I have no qualms with Mike. I feel that you let him play, and you keep your ear to the ground about interest for him. I assume he is still looking to be moved and thus I'd be honest with him. Tell him he will have plenty of minutes to prove his worth to the rest of the NHL. If he wants to stay, a contract can be worked out throughout the year (unlikely) and if he wants to go, this will be the best opportunity for him to land his next contract. Cross your fingers he performs, trade him at the deadline or just before, eat a bit of cap if it increases the return and voila.

As for what I'd like to see in return for Mike, a 1st would be great but highly unlikely. I'd take a 2nd and a mid tier prospect.
- IggyOnly

With Cammalleri's playoffs performances with Montreal, I wouldm't be surprised if a top team offers a first for him, and maybe add a salary dump if necessary.

Nice piece, Colin.

Rebuilds are hard to sell to any fanbase, but I think especially hard in a market like Calgary where expectations tend sometimes to be too high and the Flames are (mostly) the only game in town.

But those hard bottom rebuilds are where greatness eventually comes from.

That said, Camalleri should be dealt to the highest bidder for futures.
- John Jaeckel

While it is not a direct comparison because the sports arent the same, I liken the Flames approach at rebuilding to that of the Buffalo Bills. It has always been half assed and they both are guilty of not making a good enough effort at acquiring a franchise player at the proper position (center/QB).

The Flames have been a tire fire as far as planning out their rebuild and organizational goals since their Cup Final. Treading in mediocrity is the worst place to be in a professional sport which has a salary cap.

All that said I think now that the Flames have moved on from Iginla it can be seen as a true turning point towards a proper rebuild.

His trade value right now is low, better off starting with him and hope he catches fire or just plays well. and yes from a comment earlier, sens would be a good team for him to go.

While it's good to keep some vets around during a rebuild I don't see why he sticks around. 31 years old, has dealt with injuries throughout his career and has never won a cup.

Seems to me he's a guy that will be trying to sign with a contender next summer.
- Lahey

I agree...though I cant help but hold on to Feasters words of wanting to maintain competitiveness for his team.

He is heading to UFA land after this season, plus the Flames do have the option of retaining some of his salary. Teams are always looking to add a little fire power around the trade deadline. I'm expecting he will move around then.
- The-O-G

That's probably the most realistic scenario.
Hopefully he stays healthy.

While it is not a direct comparison because the sports arent the same, I liken the Flames approach at rebuilding to that of the Buffalo Bills. It has always been half assed and they both are guilty of not making a good enough effort at acquiring a franchise player at the proper position (center/QB).

The Flames have been a tire fire as far as planning out their rebuild and organizational goals since their Cup Final. Treading in mediocrity is the worst place to be in a professional sport which has a salary cap.

All that said I think now that the Flames have moved on from Iginla it can be seen as a true turning point towards a proper rebuild.
- Ryan_Wilson

Totally and completely agree.

Last year or so, it seems like the Flames finally saw what was necessary and chose to bite the bullet. If they continue to acquire futures the way they have, they will be very well situated in a few short years.

I agree...though I cant help but hold on to Feasters words of wanting to maintain competitiveness for his team.
- Colin Dambrauskas

They need to sell tickets and sponsorships near term. They have to say this regardless. It is the smart thing to say, even if in truth they are really going total rebuild.

He is heading to UFA land after this season, plus the Flames do have the option of retaining some of his salary. Teams are always looking to add a little fire power around the trade deadline. I'm expecting he will move around then.
- The-O-G

Yep

He is heading to UFA land after this season, plus the Flames do have the option of retaining some of his salary. Teams are always looking to add a little fire power around the trade deadline. I'm expecting he will move around then.
- The-O-G

I bet he is moved around christmas. With the olympic stoppage, I bet teams will be looking to make their moves before, allowing new players to gel with their team with the 3 weeks of team practices goign on.

Also after about 20 games you start to see what you roster is really like, teams will make a move around then too, if their kids are ready for top 9 duties or if they need to go wtih a vet instead for one season

While it is not a direct comparison because the sports arent the same, I liken the Flames approach at rebuilding to that of the Buffalo Bills. It has always been half assed and they both are guilty of not making a good enough effort at acquiring a franchise player at the proper position (center/QB).

The Flames have been a tire fire as far as planning out their rebuild and organizational goals since their Cup Final. Treading in mediocrity is the worst place to be in a professional sport which has a salary cap.

All that said I think now that the Flames have moved on from Iginla it can be seen as a true turning point towards a proper rebuild.
- Ryan_Wilson

The Flames had a good team for another 3-4 years after they went to the finals. It never resulted in any playoff success, but that happens. During these years their goal was simple, win the cup. It didn't happen but as I fan I still stand by them for taking a run at it during these years.

Problem is they just held on to the dream a little too long. That was their mistake. I took them a few years to realize that but they are finally going in the right direction.

While it is not a direct comparison because the sports arent the same, I liken the Flames approach at rebuilding to that of the Buffalo Bills. It has always been half assed and they both are guilty of not making a good enough effort at acquiring a franchise player at the proper position (center/QB).

The Flames have been a tire fire as far as planning out their rebuild and organizational goals since their Cup Final. Treading in mediocrity is the worst place to be in a professional sport which has a salary cap.

All that said I think now that the Flames have moved on from Iginla it can be seen as a true turning point towards a proper rebuild.
- Ryan_Wilson

The Flames had a good team for another 3-4 years after they went to the finals. It never resulted in any playoff success, but that happens. During these years their goal was simple, win the cup. It didn't happen but as I fan I still stand by them for taking a run at it during these years.

Problem is they just held on to the dream a little too long. That was their mistake. I took them a few years to realize that but they are finally going in the right direction.

Send him off to Ottawa, they offered him a contract once before he signed in Montreal, im sure they are still interested. Ottawa has a bunch of young forwards who look like they could be top 6ers but right now with the Sens talent, probably wont crack it.

Michalek Spezza Ryan
MacArthur Turris (x)
Conacher, Zibanejad (x)

Pageau, Condra, Greening, Puempel, Stone, DaCosta. Thats a lot of young guys fighting for 2 roster spots, too good to play on the 4th line.

Pageua and Greening are probably the most likely to take those spots, but if the Sens want to make a run at it this season. Adding Cammy to the top 6 would make a really scary team, which they will need in a very tough division
- DDM-Coga

Makes sense! But like most have said it will likely be at the deadline and I think he can fetch a 1st round pick. Christ if Gaustad can, I'm fairly positive Cammy can...

Cammy is going to work his tail off as most do on there final year before UFA.
He will most likely be traded at the daadline where his cap is less of a big pill to swollow. I would think at this point in his career he'd like to play for a cup contender.

They need to sell tickets and sponsorships near term. They have to say this regardless. It is the smart thing to say, even if in truth they are really going total rebuild.
- John Jaeckel

They just need to look up the street a few 100KM, we are sold out every night and we have games when it's -30 and a foot of snow falling.

Makes sense! But like most have said it will likely be at the deadline and I think he can fetch a 1st round pick. Christ if Gaustad can, I'm fairly positive Cammy can...
- whipper334

I think Cammy can get a 1st and a prospect for sure, its going to be more of a trade bidding war now with the new divisions, 3 making it and 2 wild cards for a conference, im sure the 3-4-5 guys in each division all will think they have a shot at making it. Should lead to more movement in my mind

Hey gents,

How are the Press Level seats at the Saddledome? Thinking of picking up some tix for Iggy's return in December. Stub Hub has some in Press Level 6 at $100ish right now, assuming more should come onto market at some point, I'm guessing probably best to wait until Single games go on sale and if I strike out on TM there should be some still available in secondary market?