By all accounts, the Flames and Gm Darryl Sutter are in need of some help in the top six forwards, they will need to add at least one body IMO (probobaly a winger). As it stands the top six looks like this:
If Darryl is to add anything, it will be a RW but the problem is that there is no one worthy of picking up via Free Agency. Only names i could come up with are Demitra(plays center also/is injury prone), Miettinen(seen him listed as LW also, would be a stretch for the top six, but as a top nine pickup i would be very pleased), and Nolan(i would like him to sign but as the 3rd line RW with Connie).
I have a feeling Darryl will aquire a winger via trade...I went looking for possible candidates!!
Nikolai Zherdev- has struggled in Columbus but had a good year last year. Had 26 goals, and would certainly replace Juices numbers. Could be one of those players that just needs a change. Nik Antropov- I remember there being rumors of Antropov to Calgary sometime/somewhere, but cant remember. Anyway, he had a breakout season last year with 26 goals and 30 assists. Marek Svatos- Interesting player, has had some injury problems, but has shown he can score. Has failed to reach 40 points in the last two years, but had a 32 goal 50 point campaign in 05/06. Could be on the outs in Colorado with the emergence of quality young forwards. Brian Gionta- This is my DREAM pick. But the Devils may be willing to shop Gionta, and his 4 million dollar salary, to releive some cap space. Only problem is we dont have much for assets to aquire a guy like him. He had a off year last year, but is sure to bounce back. Remember his 48 goals in 05/06.
I wanted Brunette, Rolston or Tucker at the right deal, but now the only free agent left that I'm interested in realistically speaking is Nolan. Sutter wouldn't touch Zherdev with a 10m pole.
I wanted Brunette, Rolston or Tucker at the right deal, but now the only free agent left that I'm interested in realistically speaking is Nolan. Sutter wouldn't touch Zherdev with a 10m pole.
zherdev made some pretty big improvments in terms of work ethic under ken hitchcock. plus he has soft hands and good offensive abilities. he'd be an improvement over huselius if calgary somehow managed to land him, imo
Why? I'd do it in a second. Frees up a spot on defense (would have to be addressed later, though) and gives Calgary a legitimate 2nd line RW'er.
Absolutely. Afinogenov would be deadly with his speed with Lombardi and if he could chip in 25 goals that'd be great. I only wonder about his contract and how many years and how much money is on it. I'm sure we could find another 3-4 D man to replace Aucoin.
Aucoin might actually have some value around the league now. With a cap hit of 4M for only one year, teams like Atlanta and LA might have some interest in him so they can make the cap floor.
Other teams that missed out on the big free agent defencemen like San Jose and Ottawa could be interested as well.
Most likely, the return would only involve picks or prospects, but it would free up some salary for a top-six forward. Better yet, if a deal involving Aucoin could be worked out for a top-six forward.
