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Calgary Flames: Why Trading for Alexander Ovechkin Makes Sense

By Dan Raicevich

Nov 13, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) skates with the puck as Calgary Flames center Sean Monahan (23) chases in the second period at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 13, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) skates with the puck as Calgary Flames center Sean Monahan (23) chases in the second period at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Calgary Flames need to improve. With McDavid to the North, and Laine to the East, the Flames can add another talented forward. Could Alex Ovechkin make the Calgary Flames a perennial contender overnight?

It is no secret that the Calgary Flames are looking to improve. Despite being swept in the first round of the playoffs, the Flames need to add some size up front in order to compete with the heavier teams in the Western Conference. Anaheim has been Calgary’s kryptonite over the course of the past decade or so. St. Louis has been a difficult team for the Calgary Flames to matchup against as well. A mixture of size and skill and speed is going to help this team move the needle from playoff contender to Stanley Cup contender.

The Flames are going to need to add some size and scoring punch on the wings, especially the right side. Other than re-signing Kris Versteeg this offseason, another priority is to add firepower to that right side. The two big names that are potentially on the trade market this summer are Russians Ilya Kovalchuk and Alexander Ovechkin. While Kovalchuk would be a nice fit on the Calgary Flames, Ovechkin could potentially be a better fit here. The Calgary Flames should pursue Ovechkin.

Need to improve both the top line and power-play unit

The Calgary Flames should do everything in their power to bring The Great 8 out west, and do it this summer. Despite having a sluggish season scoring, Ovechkin is still in the prime of his career. At a minimum, Ovechkin can score 30 goals in a season. The Calgary Flames had 226 goals scored this past season. Adding another thirty goals would make the Calgary Flames a top ten scoring team in the National Hockey League overnight. If you add the average of Alexander Ovechkin’s goal scoring average to the fold (roughly 47 goals per season), the Flames have the potential to become the highest scoring team in the league. This team can use that kind of firepower, no doubt about it.

Oct 3, 2013; Washington, DC, USA; Calgary Flames goalie Karri Ramo (31) makes a save on Washington Capitals right wing Alex Ovechkin (8) in the third period at Verizon Center. The Capitals won 5-4 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 3, 2013; Washington, DC, USA; Calgary Flames goalie Karri Ramo (31) makes a save on Washington Capitals right wing Alex Ovechkin (8) in the third period at Verizon Center. The Capitals won 5-4 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

Ovechkin not only makes this teams firepower more dangerous up front, but he can make the players around him better. On paper, Ovechkin would be pegged to play with Sean Monahan and Johnny Gaudreau. This could be the perfect piece to be slotted in with the dynamic duo. He would make those players better than they already are. If Gulutzan would decided to float him up and down the lineup, he could make Sam Bennett a better player. He could complement another skilled Swede in Mikael Backlund as well. Adding Ovechkin would make a Flames power play even better. Whoever Alexander Ovechkin would play with, he would bring a positive effect onto their game.

The Cost…Might Surprise You

The cost might be pretty high, or not very high at all. The likelihood of this trade would consist of a top end prospect, a bad contract (hopefully) and a first round pick as a starting point. Ryan Kennedy stated a few days ago on The Hockey News a similar scenario to this.

"The other deal involves Calgary. The Flames send Troy Brouwer back to Washington, which helps off-set Ovechkin’s salary. Calgary also gives up the rights to draft pick Adam Fox, currently at Harvard, plus a first-rounder in 2018.– Ryan Kennedy, The Hockey News. How Many Teams Could Actually Trade For Ovechkin Right Now? May 31, 2017."

Here below is my theory on a potential trade between both teams:

Troy Brouwer can contribute in the Capitals top nine. Despite his $4.5 million cap hit, he can help give the Capitals more flexibility to retain other key free agents like T.J. Oshie. To help make the trade worth their while, a first round pick must be a focal point in the deal. A top end prospect must be in the cards as well. There is potential of a depth issue in Washington on the back end, sending a top defensive prospect would help ease that problem. Rasmus Andersson would be a good fit in Washington. With the likely departure of Kevin Shattankirk and the possibility that Dimitry Orlov defects back to Russia, Andersson can come in and push to be an everyday NHLer in D.C. And getting a 2018 first round pick for the Capitals would be more valuable due to the depth of the draft.

Apr 8, 2017; San Jose, CA, USA; Calgary Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson (54) controls the puck against San Jose Sharks right wing Marcus Sorensen (20) during the first period at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 8, 2017; San Jose, CA, USA; Calgary Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson (54) controls the puck against San Jose Sharks right wing Marcus Sorensen (20) during the first period at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports /

With Oliver Kylington, Brett Kulak and Brandon Hickey in the pipeline, moving Andersson would not be the worst move on the planet if that means the Flames move closer to winning a Stanley Cup. These three prospects could become regular NHLers within the next season or two as well. Sometimes in order to get better, you might need to trade talent.

Why Trading for Ovechkin Makes Sense

At this potential selling price, the Calgary Flames should absolutely be pursuing this player. He can provide the offensive firepower that the Calgary Flames can absolutely use. He also can provide a prime scoring option for Johnny Gaudreau and others to help set up. The main thing is if Ovechkin can dedicate himself this offseason by getting into top end physical shape, he would certainly be in a prime opportunity to compete for the Stanley Cup with the current team. Ovechkin can provide the size, the skill and help create space for others that this team is searching for. Snipers do not grow on trees, nor do they surface the trade market often.

Next: Monday Roundtable: Expansion

The Calgary Flames saw a once in a generation sniper play for their team on the Saddledome ice, its time to see another. Not to mention, nobody on the current roster wears #8 opposite to the Flaming C. Hopefully, the PA Announcer is reading off The Great 8’s name during the annual Opening Night ceremonies in October.

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