Home HockeyBuzz Register Login
"Keep the opinions sane and well thought out."
Canada, AB • Canada •
When D.Sutter came from San Jose he made a habit of trading for players he knew from that system, we all appreciate the Kirpusoff trade but the players that followed like Lynn Loyns, Bryan marchment, Mark Smith and Jeff Friesen indicate that Sutter like to trade or sign what is familiar to him. Darryl is not the first G.M. to trade for what he knows, but it does make us think about what Jay Feaster brings to the table now.

Yesterday on the comments section "jtommyt", who has a great avatar, brought up a name me and my friends have often talked about. Brad Richards. All of a sudden this name makes a lot more sense to me in many ways as a player that could be brought in later in the year depending on where the teams are in standings but as a free agent next year. Richards does have a no trade and does count against the cap to the tune of 7.8 Million so there is little to no chance we would see him in a Flaming C until the trade deadline but here are few clues as to why this guy makes sense.

For one, as I eluded to earlier, Feaster knows him very well, Richards was the playoff MVP for feaster in fact. When it's free agency time and the Flames look to spend a little you don't think Feaster will be in Sutter's ear about this guy? Secondly he is a true number 1 center, 91 points last year says so. Three, he is a Flames type player, he plays hard and is physical.

As far as a trade goes there are several fits here as well that can't be denied. The Stars liked Hagman, although under deferent management, he scored 27 goals for them in his final year there. The Stars have several left wingers though so that may be a hindrance to that. having said that the Flames are also stocked with Defense, they could literally trade almost (see Bouwmeester) any one of their starters and have a replacement for him in their depth. Dallas however does not have a spectacular defensive corps, it's not horrible either but a solid hard nose D on that team might be a huge improvement. Not naming any names but the Flames do have a few stay at home d that are quite good, that could help a new goalie in a new system feel a lot better. Sarich is a guy that Played for Feaster and had a solid end of the year last year after finally recovering from injury, with an inflated salary it will be interesting to see if he is moved or not.

With a lot of centers to choose from for top ice time in Flames camp it seems like trading for another one would be folly however it could also be looked at as having assets and depth. The first thing to recognize is that a no trade clause just means that a player can say, "I don't want to go to Edmonton." and the coach can say, "Okay have a great time on the bench". It means very little, if a team doesn't want you, the thought is to go and try elsewhere. A no move clause is a little different and not many players get those, making room trading centers might not be as difficult as it was thought. Secondly players like Backlund offer, for the short term, skilled players who can step in for cheap when a trade goes down. Calgary COULD pull this off, unlikley as it seems, does it seem any more unlikely than bringing Jokinen back?

So my hope is that if Feaster does have Sutter's ear, he will impart some of what he knows. For instance, he knows how to build a Stanley Cup team.


S>O>
Filed Under:   Flames   Feaster   Richards  
July 22, 2010 6:10 PM ET | Delete
Richards would be a great fit for the flames and we could give a deal maybe in the likes of langkow/stajan regehr and a pick for him? tell me what you think
July 22, 2010 6:15 PM ET | Delete
Langkow, Stajan and Regehr might be a bit steep. I'm almost certain Langkow is done. I have a feeling this injury scared him, he's a family man and he may not want to put his family through that again.
July 22, 2010 6:16 PM ET | Delete
We do have an abundance of young defensive prospects though.
July 22, 2010 6:24 PM ET | Delete
If this went down this year it'd have to be at the deadline and whatever salary the Flames give is just fine. If not it may be to aquire his rights in the off season, I have not heard of any extension talks for him.
July 22, 2010 6:39 PM ET | Delete
i mente landkow or stajan with the addition of regehr and a pic
July 22, 2010 6:39 PM ET | Delete
Message Posted
July 22, 2010 6:41 PM ET | Delete
Langkow is a real question mark. Not sure Stajan would be enough either. Because richards is UFA if it look slike no extension is coming he will get less expensive so dallas gets SOMETHING for him.
July 22, 2010 6:48 PM ET | Delete
all togeather it should be an interesting season
July 22, 2010 9:11 PM ET | Delete
I like this...since you correctly noted it being a mid-season move. If they gel, this would put them over the top. If the team starts out slow, Sutter is fired and this will be Feaster's first move to put his stamp on team and correct the ship. I don't think Hagman is going anywhere...
July 22, 2010 9:15 PM ET | Delete
...as I think Sutt's intention is to make Kipper feel more at home with some Finn's (and a Swede)...there was a clear lack of Scandanavian blood during his worst two statistical seasons, 07-08/08-09 (the Keenan yrs). It is almost like Sutter is doing his best to make up for the ills inflicted by Keenan those yrs.
July 23, 2010 2:17 AM ET | Delete
regher, moss
July 23, 2010 2:19 AM ET | Delete
WTF!!! Regher, Moss
July 23, 2010 9:28 AM ET | Delete
I have been thinking this for a while.. How about Bourque and Stajan (7.5 mil) straight up? Stars could use another RW. Bourque is awesome, but you have to give up something..
July 23, 2010 12:40 PM ET | Delete
Maybe, Aside from Iggy he's our best shot at 30 goals though. From what i understand ownership in Dallas doesn't want money back though.
July 23, 2010 2:58 PM ET | Delete
Thanks for the shoutout Sane! I still agree that Richards might be the most obtainable top line center that would fit on this team. I still think it might be possible to do it in the offseason, but agree that it won't happen in a 1 deal trade with Dallas due to their financial situation. We'd need to find a seperate trading partner that would be willing to take on some salary, and with our "weak" prospect pool, that might prove difficult.
July 23, 2010 3:56 PM ET | Delete
hey... when you have a great thought...you've one up'ed me! lol
July 23, 2010 11:33 PM ET | Delete
I was flying to Halifax today from Calgary, and Im waiting to check my bags in the line-up and Brent Sutter walks right into the same line-up, but about 15 people behind me. I wish I would have been at the end of the line, to at least say hello and wish the guy good luck.And yes... On Richards.... Fantastic fit!
Leave a Comment
You must be logged in to leave a comment.

Blog Archive

14 "