Value of: Middle pairing defensive defenseman to the Flames (after expansion)

[Lunatik]

I am not sure if I used the right prefix of not, but none seemed to really fit right.

I have been saying for the better part of a year that the Flames biggest problem is their defensive abilities on the blueline. I'm pleased with the offense that our blueline can produce, but I think they lack that stay at home presence in their top 4. I am wondering who might be available via free agency or trade (free agency is preferred) after the expansion draft. Ideally I'd like a modern day Robyn Regehr type guy, someone to pair with either Hamilton or Brodie on the second pairing (both have had success with Giordano on the top pairing). Defensively sound with decent skating ability is a must, a solid PKer and a physical presence would be gladly welcomed.

I'd like to see Calgary start next season with a defensive group kind of like this (I suspect Vegas will snag one of Kulak or Jokipakka in the expansion draft):

Giordano - Brodie/Hamilton
________ - Brodie/Hamilton
Kulak/Jokipakka - ________

My first thought is Karl Alzner who could be a UFA this summer, but I think I read somewhere that his price tag could be in the $6 million range.

Another UFA thought is bringing back Kris Russell, which I do think the Flames and Russell had hoped to do this summer but Gaudreau's contract negotiations lingered on for too long. I imagine with a good year he'll be looking at a $4-4.5 million payday.

Who else fits this bill? Does Someone like Dmitry Kulikov? I really don't know much about him.

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[Bjornar Moxnes]

I am not sure if I used the right prefix of not, but none seemed to really fit right.

I have been saying for the better part of a year that the Flames biggest problem is their defensive abilities on the blueline. I'm pleased with the offense that our blueline can produce, but I think they lack that stay at home presence in their top 4. I am wondering who might be available via free agency or trade (free agency is preferred) after the expansion draft. Ideally I'd like a modern day Robyn Regehr type guy, someone to pair with either Hamilton or Brodie on the second pairing (both have had success with Giordano on the top pairing). Defensively sound with decent skating ability is a must, a solid PKer and a physical presence would be gladly welcomed.

I'd like to see Calgary start next season with a defensive group kind of like this (I suspect Vegas will snag one of Kulak or Jokipakka in the expansion draft):

Giordano - Brodie/Hamilton
________ - Brodie/Hamilton
Kulak/Jokipakka - ________

My first thought is Karl Alzner who could be a UFA this summer, but I think I read somewhere that his price tag could be in the $6 million range.

Another UFA thought is bringing back Kris Russell, which I do think the Flames and Russell had hoped to do this summer but Gaudreau's contract negotiations lingered on for too long. I imagine with a good year he'll be looking at a $4-4.5 million payday.

Who else fits this bill? Does Someone like Dmitry Kulikov? I really don't know much about him.

Kaya-Mattias Ekholm! Nah but as a Preds fan as well he's on a great contract and our defensive depth is actually very bad contrary to popular belief. Ekholm for a long stretch last year was our best defensive player by far (Yes even better than Weber, especially during the playoffs). However I'm up for a Backlund and Kulak for Ekholm trade, I think Kulak will flourish with Ellis as his partner, or with Subban, and allow Josi-Ellis to continue. Other Predator fans may say no though and I can understand 100%, because even though I won't be mad with the trade, it's not the absolute best value either.

 

[Johnnybegood13]

A modern day Robyn Regehr is hard to find

Flames will probably find a FA like Russell, Brendan Smith or even a Cody Franson. lots of 3-4 D with be available including Alzner who won't likely come close to a $6m payday.

 

[QcFlames12]

Karl Alzner via Free agency.

Guy lives in Calgary in the offseason, trains with the guys at Winsport and most likely knows most of the staff. It just makes too much sense. 3 year 4,750 deal

 

[Pia8988]

Karl Alzner via Free agency.

Guy lives in Calgary in the offseason, trains with the guys at Winsport and most likely knows most of the staff. It just makes too much sense. 3 year 4,750 deal

Have to think Alzner gets a bigger and longer deal that that. He'll be 29 by the start of next season. Would be a very bad plan on his part to have to look for a new deal at 32 instead of having one take him to 35+

 

[Bjornar Moxnes]

I mean Flames fans were angry at this trade, but let's think about it logically, and Carolina is fine with it: Monahan for Lindholm and Hanifin. Lindholm is a right shot, he still has potential, he's not small either, just not big. Hanifin is a great prospect that is exempt and would be an excellent partner with either Hamilton or Brodie.

Gaudreau-Bennett-Lindholm
Tkachuk-Backlund-Frolik
Versteeg-Jankowski-Brouwer
Ferland-Stajan-Chiasson

Giordano-Brodie
Hanifin-Hamilton
Kulak-Engelland

Or

Tkachuk-Backlund-Frolik
Gaudreau-Bennett-Chiasson
Versteeg-Lindholm-Brouwer
Ferland-Stajan-Hathaway

Giordano-Hamilton
Hanifin-Brodie
Kulak-Engelland

 

[blankall]

I mean Flames fans were angry at this trade, but let's think about it logically, and Carolina is fine with it: Monahan for Lindholm and Hanifin. Lindholm is a right shot, he still has potential, he's not small either, just not big. Hanifin is a great prospect that is exempt and would be an excellent partner with either Hamilton or Brodie.

Gaudreau-Bennett-Lindholm
Tkachuk-Backlund-Frolik
Versteeg-Jankowski-Brouwer
Ferland-Stajan-Chiasson

Giordano-Brodie
Hanifin-Hamilton
Kulak-Engelland

Or

Tkachuk-Backlund-Frolik
Gaudreau-Bennett-Chiasson
Versteeg-Lindholm-Brouwer
Ferland-Stajan-Hathaway

Giordano-Hamilton
Hanifin-Brodie
Kulak-Engelland

Makes no sense to trade a core piece for a depth piece. Like others said, a #3 d-man can be had for free via free agency.

Backlund is a perfect #3 centre. You're in trouble if he's on the top line.

 

[slappipappi]

Karl Alzner via Free agency.

Guy lives in Calgary in the offseason, trains with the guys at Winsport and most likely knows most of the staff. It just makes too much sense. 3 year 4,750 deal

Everything makes sense except the price tag.

More likely 5 years + at $6M per season.

 

[Lunatik]

Have to think Alzner gets a bigger and longer deal that that. He'll be 29 by the start of next season. Would be a very bad plan on his part to have to look for a new deal at 32 instead of having one take him to 35+

I suspect Alzner will get 6 years/$30-35 million. At $5 million I'd probably do it with Wideman coming off the books but I would probably balk at 6

 

[ovikovy817]

Alzner will stay in D.C. He's our best D.

 

[Unsustainable]

I mean Flames fans were angry at this trade, but let's think about it logically, and Carolina is fine with it: Monahan for Lindholm and Hanifin. Lindholm is a right shot, he still has potential, he's not small either, just not big. Hanifin is a great prospect that is exempt and would be an excellent partner with either Hamilton or Brodie.

Gaudreau-Bennett-Lindholm
Tkachuk-Backlund-Frolik
Versteeg-Jankowski-Brouwer
Ferland-Stajan-Chiasson

Giordano-Brodie
Hanifin-Hamilton
Kulak-Engelland

Or

Tkachuk-Backlund-Frolik
Gaudreau-Bennett-Chiasson
Versteeg-Lindholm-Brouwer
Ferland-Stajan-Hathaway

Giordano-Hamilton
Hanifin-Brodie
Kulak-Engelland

Huh?

 

[Chan790]

I mean Flames fans were angry at this trade, but let's think about it logically, and Carolina is fine with it: Monahan for Lindholm and Hanifin. Lindholm is a right shot, he still has potential, he's not small either, just not big. Hanifin is a great prospect that is exempt and would be an excellent partner with either Hamilton or Brodie.

As a Canes fan, I'd be anything but fine with that. That's terrible value for us. Monahan is good...but not Lindholm and Hanifin good.

Lindholm+? Yes, but not if the plus is named Hanifin, Slavin or Faulk.

 

[OvermanKingGainer]

The guy I would be looking at in UFA is Michael Stone. Offer him ~3.25 Million. x 3 years. Though for some reason he gets power play time in Arizona inflating his counting stats and driving uo his price way beyond his contributions.

 

[thedoughboy]

I mean Flames fans were angry at this trade, but let's think about it logically, and Carolina is fine with it: Monahan for Lindholm and Hanifin.

Where were they fine with it? Because that trade is absolutely **** all around for Carolina.

The difference between an average 2nd line center and a very good second line center isn't a ~20 year old defensmen who is potentially a clear cut #1.

 

[Tkachuk Norris]

The guy I would be looking at in UFA is Michael Stone. Offer him ~3.25 Million. x 3 years. Though for some reason he gets power play time in Arizona inflating his counting stats and driving uo his price way beyond his contributions.

This is what I would do. We just need a 1-2 year stop gap until one of Kulak/Andersson are ready full time. Ideally someone that's solid 5 on 5 and on the PK

Plus we dot really hit cap problem for 7 more years if we don't offer any more stupid long term UFA contracts.

 

[DJJones]

This is what I would do. We just need a 1-2 year stop gap until one of Kulak/Andersson are ready full time. Ideally someone that's solid 5 on 5 and on the PK

Plus we dot really hit cap problem for 7 more years if we don't offer any more stupid long term UFA contracts.

Ya I agree with this. No long term contracts. Someone should be able to fill in in two years.

I just wish some of them had a mean streak. It will be a hell of a gamble if we add three offensive defense man to our current top 3. It will either be really good or a disaster.

 

[Big McLargehuge]

I mean Flames fans were angry at this trade, but let's think about it logically, and Carolina is fine with it: Monahan for Lindholm and Hanifin. Lindholm is a right shot, he still has potential, he's not small either, just not big. Hanifin is a great prospect that is exempt and would be an excellent partner with either Hamilton or Brodie.

Why would any Canes fan be fine with that? That's absurdly lop-sided in Calgary's favor, and I'm not even that high on Lindholm.

 

[Avs71]

If he would waive, Francois Beauchemin is your guy.

 

[Mr Misty]

It's worth remembering that 7-10 teams will lose a middle pairing defensemen in the expansion draft. Unlike forwards and goalies, there just aren't enough good defensemen to fill 7 new jobs so prices are going to be insane. Depending on your expansion situation, now is the time to add that player if GMs start to foolishly panic sell.

 

[InfinityIggy]

The guy I would be looking at in UFA is Michael Stone. Offer him ~3.25 Million. x 3 years. Though for some reason he gets power play time in Arizona inflating his counting stats and driving uo his price way beyond his contributions.

Agreed. Alzner would be perfect but I don't think the Flames really have room for another 5m+ contract on our backend.

Stone is a more affordable option and leaves more cap space to re-sign Backlund and Bennett.

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

I mean Flames fans were angry at this trade, but let's think about it logically, and Carolina is fine with it: Monahan for Lindholm and Hanifin.

Ummm, no. Carolina (fans) are not fine with it.

As far as the OP's question, you should target someone like Ron Hainsey. Won't be too expensive and still is a top 4 LHD, although I'll be surprised if the Canes don't try and re-sign him.

 

[Skobel24]

Alzner or Stone would be who I'd target in the offseason.

Also, I'd pass on Monahan for Lindholm+Hanifin

 

[Bjornar Moxnes]

As a Canes fan, I'd be anything but fine with that. That's terrible value for us. Monahan is good...but not Lindholm and Hanifin good.

Lindholm+? Yes, but not if the plus is named Hanifin, Slavin or Faulk.

Lindholm and Hanifin for Monahan and what else?

 

[Oscar Lindberg]

Kevin Klein for picks or perhaps a prospect

 

[lifeisruff]

Not sure what if you want a leftie or a rightie, (or if you care) but do Josh Gorges or Zach Bogosian tickle your fancy?