Calgary Flames Think Ahead: NHL Trade Deadline to 2009 Draft

Trade deadline...my favorite time of year.

The Calgary Flames are trading from strength this season, and have been for a couple of years now. Not as much strength as say the Red Wings, but strength nonetheless. This year's deadline brings to mind many scenarios.

Like packaging Dion Phaneuf, Matthew Lombardi, and Brandon Prust for Kyle Calder and Jack Johnson and prospects, or, Cory Sarich and Jim Vandermeer for Cam Barker and Jordan Hendry. 

The only untouchables are Jarome Iginla, Rene Bourque, Miikka Kiprusoff, and Mike Cammalleri.

That being said, this team has good chemistry and is playing quite well down the stretch, sitting sixth overall. Add to that the third best penalty kill (86.3%) in the league, and we all know how important the PK is in the playoffs.

No, breaking this team up is not what Darryl Sutter has in mind.

I can see however some small moves: some prospects and maybe some fringe players. For instance, John Negrin for Cory Emmerton or Wayne Primeau and a second or third-round draft pick for maybe Bryan little or Duncan Keith. 

Trades are part of the business and teams are always tinkering with salary and trying to get better through trades. But Mr. Sutter knows that you have to build through the draft, so look for him to move up in the '09 NHL Draft in Montreal.

The Flames should be looking over their shoulders at teams like Chicago, Vancouver, and even Edmonton, as they will all be looking to better their teams and make a serious push for the playoffs.

It's not like Darryl to do nothing at the deadline. But he does not usually make major moves that shake up too much of the core either. I think he has his team and knows what he needs for the future and knows how to balance that with what he has now. 

Too many times teams trade and make moves and fire and hire coaches at the deadline, all it does is make it harder to keep chemistry. Hockey is a team game, and if players are coming and going, and coaches are bringing in new systems the team has a hard time gelling. 

And then you're left with individuals. And you can't win the holy grail with individuals...just ask the New York Rangers.