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?