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Iginla/ Kipper trade thoughts

So here we are AGAIN. The trade possibility talk about the Flames top players. I want to be as clear as possible so everyone knows my stance in regards to the top guys everyone talks about.

Iginla- Iginla is the last chance this club has for a massive return, Dion’s trade was a blown opportunity, Iginla has to be traded for something. Management has said he won’t be traded and don’t even go there so I feel as though he won’t be traded but should be. Iginla has long been one of my favorite players not just because of his jersey but because he fought, hit, scored and was a pleasure to watch. I feel he has grown stale in Calgary, I think other G.M.’s will feel that way too and see the possibilities of having Iginla on their team. The longer this is protracted the longer the Flames will be immersed in mediocrity.

Kipper- Kipper has been declining the last few years and has shown a recent spike in his play, this would be an opportune time to trade him. I mentioned before how Irving has shown huge promise the last year and a ¼, a trade would allow what is supposed to be our future number one come in and play. Irving wins, even on a bad AHL team last year, can the same be said for Karlsson? A lot of teams would like Kipper but a fit is hard for him. He has a no movement so it’s not as though he could be traded to Columbus tomorrow, most contenders have decent goalies though. If an injury happens to a cup contender’s goalie let’s revisit Kipper then. His NMC runs out this year so off season is more likely for him to move.

Of the current roster there is only one guy I view as untouchable and that is Giordano, the next captain. Next I have a few guys who would be hard to part with, they include Tanguay, Glencross, Backlund and surprisingly Jokinen. Pretty much everyone else is easily replaceable.

So if Jarome was to be traded he would want to go to a Stanley Cup contender, we won’t have a great idea who that is until the deadline but here’s a brief list:
Chicago, Washington, Pittsburgh, Vancouver, Philly, Buffalo, Detroit, L.A., San Jose, Boston. I know everyone might jump on my for this wondering why Minny or something isn’t on the list. This is a list I think are cup contenders not just doing well in the standings.

Now I think the Flames would prefer teams out of conference so that narrows down likely partners to: Wash, Pitts, Philly, Buffalo, Boston.

If the Flames are looking for a top six, a pick and a prospect the teams that could afford to take on Iginla are more likely to have at least a few million in cap space which whittles the list to Boston. The issue with Boston is they do not have that great number 1 prospect you would want, they are not giving up Seguin or anything for an aging Iginla so the fit is hard to find there. Boston wants to win so giving up guys who help their team today would not make sense.

That would bring me back to Washington. Washington has no cap space, a winger who has motivation issues in Semin and a dire need to get tougher for the playoffs. They hold Colorado’s first pick which is a huge prize right now. Calgary has room to take on some Salary in a deal that would address both team’s needs. Calgary needs another prospect winger, Kuztensof perhaps? They would also take a bad salary from Washington of their choice really so insert name here. So what about a trade that looks like:

Iginla/ Brodie/2nd for Semin/ Kuznetsof/ colorado’s first /and a bad contract of their choosing. At first blush it weighs in Calgary’s favour but the caps would get a proven winger for OV and a very good defensemen who is cheap. Calgary would get Semin who will probably not stay beyond this year and was recently a healthy scratch, and has shown motivational issues, a prospect who is not signed yet and Colorado’s first.

Just a thought. Total speculation and my thoughts only.

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