Trade Rumors and Free Agent TalkTrade rumors, transactions, and free agent talk. Rumors must contain the word RUMOR in post title. Proposals must contain the word PROPOSAL in post title.
I don't even think I'd do these Gonchar for Bouwmeester trades people are suggesting. I think Bouwmeester is good, but he is being paid way too much for what he brings...
A Heatley for JBo trade is one of the few that makes sense IMO. Both players would need to waive NTC's, both signed for 3 more years, salaries are roughly the same (although Heatley has the higher cap hit), Sharks need D - Calgary could use some scoring.
But either way, I doubt either player is moved.
Flames don't need "scoring." We need a top line C, a shutdown C who is preferably a faceoff winner as well, cap space, better depth on defense, prospects ready to make the jump to the NHL right now at every position except goaltending, and to unload about 10-12 mil of dead weight. The Flames are a mess right now, but they don't need "scoring" in itself.
2 Canadian teams in one rumour? Eklund must be struggling for hits.
Hopefully, more and more people start to realize that his rumours are as useful as our trade threads and stop feeding him hits. I can't believe people still go there
Even though the value isn't even close, Ottawa's lack of forward depth, with not many prospects in the pipeline with top 6 potential makes this deal even more dumb.
We have a ton of D who are almost ready to make the jump. With Kuba, Gonchar, Phillips, Karlsson and maybe Lee all locks for the up coming season (unless Kuba is bought out/traded) and Rundblad, Cowen and Wiercioch clawing at the door, this would just extend our rebuild years.
Not to mention that Spezza seems to be really developing well defensively, and Bouwmeester has never met expectations after leaving Florida.
It definitely is arguable. In terms of TOI, Karlsson and Bouwmeester would probably be paired up and share ES time. Bouwmeester wouldn't get the same PP time he got in Calgary (behind Karlsson and Gonchar) but he'd be #1 in PK time. It would probably balance out to about equal TOI in the end, although I suspect Ottawa will be taking more penalties than they get power plays.
In terms of offensive skill, its not even a question he'd be 3rd. Karlsson's got him beat by a mile and Gonchar even on the decline still edged out Bouwmeester's point totals.
So yeah, Bouwmeester would make a case for #1, but I'd think Karlsson has played his way into that spot. Either way it would make a really great first pairing.
...Just not good enough to justify trading Spezza.
I wonder what these +'s would be. I mean, Ottawa would probably be looking at high-end prospects for Spezza, or high picks, and this is not really what Calgary can offer.
Gonchar put up more points then Bouwmeester with a coach that didn't know how to use him. Phillips is a Top 5 Shutdown defensemen.
Luckily for Bouwmeester he is known for his defensive abilities first and foremost, something Gonchar cant say whatsoever.
If Bouwmeester is playing ahead of Regehr here in Calgary, He would play ahead of Phillips.
The only one you could make a debate for would be Karlsson, however he is not in Bouwmeester's class defensively but has him beat offensively atleast as far as his statistics go here in Calgary.
As far as Spezza being the man coming back, obviously it would be a no go for the Senators.
Maybe Michalek + Cowen would be of interest to the Flames.
