Prior to training camp it seems that the Flames are set in terms of what they have and need to the point where there is an abundance of players and depth that could be acquired from them with out any real damage to the line up.
It's obvious the flames are stocking up at center, as I previously wrote how do you find spaces for Langkow, Conroy, Lombardi, Yelle with Taratukin, Boyd and Ryder all waiting for a crack at making the top team. Due to the depth there and keeping in mind there is an A.H.L. affiliate who they will need to stock I'd say at least one of those centers is expendable even if we were to have one or two go down with injury.
On defense, if you were to assume that Regehr, Aucoin, Phaneuf, Sarich, Eriksson and Warrener are your top six. You have Hale and Giordano as 7 and 8 not to mention guys like Ramholt, Pelech and if he's healthy Richie Regehr. Too many and someone has to go. Obviously a couple of those guys have two way contracts but may be better than some of what we have starting, namely Warrener and Eriksson.
Eklund has Gouthier being rumored, if we were to give up Warrener who is rumored to go to to Buffalo. Having said that, Warrener is expensive and injury prone so he won't be easy to move, and as clogged as our defense is I don't see trading for another d.
Umberger is another guy Eklund mention and has been in the rumor mill here before but I have a hard time with Philly letting this guy go, it would be pricey for sure but depending on the player/s traded could be a great deal. It would make sense to trade a slick guy like Giordano for him although it kills me to think of him going. After Huselius leaves next year we'll need a good left winger and Umberger can play left. I personally feel it would be wishful thinking! I have a feeling we'll see very soon after training camp who Keenen wants gone, it's going to be a long wait till October!!
B
P.S. I personally don't have a problem with Eklund saying "this is what I heard, it's from a source not affiliated with the team", so if you comment please remember he is not saying these are even definitive trades in the works and I'm just having fun speculating on them.
Warrener needs to be traded, and Richie Regehr is playing in Europe this season following his concussion problem. We don't need Gauthier back, especially with Giordano, Eriksson and Pelech available. Why would you give up Giordano (who I eventually see playing with Phaneuf full-time sooner rather than later) for Umburger, which makes no sense. Our defense looks like this in my opinionRegehr/SarichPhaneuf/AucoinGiordano/HaleTrade Warrener, and put Eriksson in the minors.
August 20, 2007 4:59 PM ET | Delete Warrener needs to be traded, and Richie Regehr is playing in Europe this season following his concussion problem. We don't need Gauthier back, especially with Giordano, Eriksson and Pelech available. Why would you give up Giordano (who I eventually see playing with Phaneuf full-time sooner rather than later) for Umburger, which makes no sense. Our defense looks like this in my opinion
Regehr/Sarich
Phaneuf/Aucoin
Giordano/Hale
Trade Warrener, and put Eriksson in the minors.
PS: Sorry about double post, and I'm not trying to bust your balls...just expressing my opinion, but good post.
Yeah no worries man, I like hearing opinions, I think Erikkson is on a one way. I hadn't heard R.Regehr is playing in europe, that suprises me.
great post buddy I alway enjoy your reading great job