Falling Dominoes
With Bowmaster going to CGY the Flames are going to be in a tight cap spot. They are most likely going to have to move a significant salary in order to sign Bowmaster. It just so happens the Flames have high priced players that may interest the Caps. Looking to trade with CGY fits with what GMGM has been saying lately because it keeps us out of the FA market and it allows us to deal from at least a neutral position. CGY is up against the cap and everyone knows it. They won't be able to force anyone's hand so GMGM can likely get a comparatively better deal for whoever is dealt from CGY.
The first player that could be moved is Olli Jokinen. He's a top 6 C on a contract that expires after this year. He fills our 2C need for the short term without tying our hands down the line. There has been a lot of support around here for the idea that we should pick up an expiring contract to fit the 2C hole because of Semin and Backstrom's contract status. Jokinen fits that bill and is undeniably an impact player on either of the top 2 lines. However, Cammalleri is UFA and probably going to sign elsewhere so moving Jokinen leaves CGY very thin up front. They don't have a reliable top line C on their roster after Jokinen so it may cost a lot to pry him away.
The second player that could be available is Robyn Regehr. With Phaneuf and Bowmaster on the blueline (and 5.8 mill in Kiprusoff) I'm not sure how much the Flames want to spend on the blueline (especially considering the lack of depth up front). Regehr is probably going to be the 3D on the Flames as things stand and that makes him more expendable. Regehr makes just over 4 million a year with 4 more years on his deal. He would cause some problems going forward because of the term of his deal but he is a top pair D that can stabilize our D corps and push the rest of our D into spots where they really should be playing. He provides a real top pair guy to cover Green's back and will be invaluable in allowing BB to manage the minutes of the rest of the D (especially if we are counting on contributions from Alzner and/or Carlson in the short term).
I guess it is conceivable that CGY keeps Regehr and tries to move Phaneuf, but Phaneuf is only 24, considered a blue chip player, is a feared hitter and has great offensive upside. I suspect CGY will hold him and let him continue to develop but it's not out of the realm of possibility that CGY could try to move him.
The question becomes what it would cost to get these players, and what GMGM should be willing to give up. I'd give up much more for Regehr than Jokinen simply because of how much longer Regehr is signed for and his demonstrated playoff value. For Jokinen I don't think I would give up more than a first round pick. For Regehr I'd probably give up a first and any prospect not named Neuvirth/Varlamov/Alzner/Carlson and probably a mid-round pick. I don't think I'd even want to get into the Phaneuf bidding.
What do you think? Which Flame would you rather see added to the Caps? What would you be willing to pay for them? Is there a better target to fill any of the positions Jokinen or Regehr would fill?
If this FanPost is written by someone other than one of the blog's authors, the opinions expressed in it do not necessarily reflect those of this blog or SB Nation.
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I too thought of OJ for our #2 center, but as I’ve mentioned before, the way losing follows this guy around bothers me.
Perhaps he could work though, since he’s clearly not the go-to amongst our stable of studs.
Russian Machine Never Breaks
by macvechkin on Jun 27, 2009 9:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
jokinen would be a good fit, but has a 5.2 cap hit. if the caps want to add more they would have to drop some salary, but the fed/kozy space would cover that. lookin at the cgy roster, boy iginla would look great with ovi and backs
as for the defense, i think caps should drop mo and either trade poti and pick up one dman or just let the prospects rise up. i want jurcina signed too
by hockeyman33 on Jun 27, 2009 10:05 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Regehr is the Flames top Dman. He will be for a long time. They’re not going to trade him, as he’s arguably the top defensive Dman in the league (or at least always in contention) and he’s signed to a great deal.
The smart thing to do, if they can sign JayBo, is drop Phaneuf as he’s honestly, at best, they’re 3rd best dman defensively (although his offense might be too hard to replace). My guess is they’d drop Sarich and just be a bit heavy on the D payroll, though, if they have to.
by brs03 on Jun 27, 2009 10:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I like Regehr better than Phaneuf as well but Phaneuf has the name and pedigree. I think it would be hard for them to part with him without a ridiculous return, and I don’t think he’s worth a ridiculous return. I agree that they’d rather trade anyone but Regehr but I’m not sure what their options will look like.
by Fehr and Balanced on Jun 27, 2009 10:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
They wouldn’t pursue JayBo if it meant they had any scenario in which they had to trade Regehr. Of that I am pretty sure.
If anything JayBo makes losing Phaneuf a bit more tolerable although I agree that’s not likely. As I said before I’m guessing they drop Sarich if they have to, and then replace Cammy’s spot with someone cheaper. They did lose Vandermeer as well so that clears up a decent chunk as well.
by brs03 on Jun 27, 2009 11:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Regehr would, at 29, be one of the older guys on our d-line. I have to think Calgary’s going to want too much for him. Also, as a German soccer fan, I’m just not that fond of Brazilians.
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
by Whiter Mage on Jun 28, 2009 2:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I am not a Jokinen fan but I could come around on that. And if Regehr were dangled in front of McPhee’s face he would have to consider it closely; he would pair nicely with MG, and perhaps CAL would take Juice as part of the package….
from the house that Red Jesus built
by bigonetimer on Jun 28, 2009 3:29 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
We would probably have to (be able to) send Juice or another cheap D back to CGY because they are going to need some cheap players to fill out their roster and we would need to make some space.
by Fehr and Balanced on Jun 28, 2009 3:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
How about Mo and Jurcina both for Regehr? Well, I can dream.
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
by Whiter Mage on Jun 29, 2009 2:53 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
good luck with that one.
i still think jurcina can be a good dman if he plays the way he did in this playoffs. he was rough on opposing players and finished his checks. maybe he could be our crease clearing defenseman
by hockeyman33 on Jun 29, 2009 10:44 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
They would have to be throw ins, the deal would have to be centered around a top prospect or first round pick, at least.
by Fehr and Balanced on Jun 29, 2009 1:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Phaneuf is just what the caps need. a rough and tough dman. but could they afford to get him and fill their other holes?
by hockeyman33 on Jun 28, 2009 10:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Phaneuf can’t play D; he’d be shades of Mike Green, except Green is actually effective at preventing goals. He’s not what we need, especially at that price tag. Regehr would be great, but no way Calgary trades him.
by brs03 on Jun 28, 2009 10:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Phaneuf had a bad year but with his skill set I don’t see any reason he can’t become a real stud defender. He’s not there yet but I wouldn’t write him off. The trade cost would be very high and considering where his salary is now resigning him will be hard so that’s why I wouldn’t pursue him, but he’s still a quality Dman.
by Fehr and Balanced on Jun 29, 2009 12:54 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’ll take RR over Dion for what we lack on the backline.
from the house that Red Jesus built
by bigonetimer on Jun 29, 2009 11:06 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

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