The Calgary Flames have been on the phone a lot in the last couple of weeks, reports Pierre LeBrun:
With the Calgary Flames drawing comparison to last year’s Colorado Avalanche, the argument could also be related to the Minnesota Wild.
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With a performing offense, the Flames glaring fault is any semblance of consistent goaltending. Where does that leave us?
We have Karri Ramo (Wild’s Niklas Backstrom), Jonas Hiller (Wild’s Darcy Kuemper), but we desperately need our Devan Dubnyk. Semyon Varlamov could fill that void. Question is, what would the Flames have to do to acquire Varlamov?
Rumor has it, the Avalanche have a hankering for a top-4 defenseman, while still maintaining their core; something the Calgary Flames would like to do as well. Would a package deal including Kris Russell accompanied with a 2nd round draft pick get the deal done?
Now, I realize Russell’s status as a ‘top-4 defenseman’ is tentative at best, but the acumen of Russell could prove valuable for a young core in Colorado. I’m sure I don’t have to mention that Russell is making merely $2.6 million this year. That’s a pretty good price for a serviceable defenceman who splits time on the penalty-kill and power-play.
Sure, Russell’s game is flawed.
That doesn’t mean that teams won’t be interested. They saw what he was capable of when thrust into a bigger role last year; that could prove lucrative, if the Calgary Flames were to complete a deal.
If anything, the recent news of Gillies’ injury worsening, we could see a deal soon with waiver moves to make room for the newly acquired goaltender. What would the repercussion’s be of a trade like this be?
The Calgary Flames waiving Ortio to the AHL (pray that he clears) and continue the 3-goalie-carousel that we have become accustomed too. Especially now that Hiller is cleared and practicing fully again.
Hiller doesn't look limited in practice today, either. Taking normal shots through rushes. #Flames
— Pat Steinberg (@Fan960Steinberg) November 16, 2015
Does this trade immediately fix the Flames? No.
But it’s a step in the right direction.
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Do you think Varlamov would be a worthwhile pick-up for the Calgary Flames? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.