The Calgary Flames look to hold their position at the top of the Western Conference standings by making a move. Could they find a fit with a current New Jersey Devils player?
The Calgary Flames are one of the surprise teams in the NHL this season. After missing the playoffs last season, they now find themselves in a dog fight for the first seed in the Western Conference. Johnny Gaudreau propelled himself in the Hart Trophy consideration for league MVP, and their top-line defense is playing some of the best hockey in the league. However, every team is looking to get better before this month’s NHL Trade Deadline, and the New Jersey Devils are one of the only certified sellers.
The Flames, like some of the other great teams, could use some help on the penalty kill. They could also use an upgrade on their bottom two defensemen. Honestly, they have big names in their top four, but the production falls off once their third line hits the ice.
Their goalies have been pretty good, well actually one’s been good one’s been bad. Mike Smith has fallen off again after showing flashes with the Flames last season. One could argue that the Flames could look to trade for Keith Kinkaid, but then they have a situation where there’s nowhere for Smith to go. They will likely just go with David Rittich as the starter and Smith as the backup in the playoffs.
A trade with the Devils would focus on defense, especially a defenseman who can play big penalty kill minutes. The one player that seems obvious is Ben Lovejoy, and that could be the deal, but digging deeper there could be another deal in play.
The Flames could really use a leader on that bottom pair on defense. Who better a leader than one of the 31 captains in the league?
That’s right, were talking about Andy Greene. He’s an upgrade to what they have on the bottom pair, which Lovejoy might not be, he has an extra year on his contract, and he’s a proven leader. Plus, he’s an elite penalty killer and one of the best shot blockers in the league.
The question now shifts to what he is worth. That’s a question that’s hard to answer because he’s still got another year paying him $5 million. That’s a lot of money for a third-line defenseman. It all depends on how much of that contract the Devils are willing to eat next season.
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Say, the Devils are willing to retain the maximum salary allowed (which is half) next season, that makes Greene a $2.5 million player next season. He’s definitely worth that. If Ray Shero were willing to do that, it would cost more from the Flames.
The Devils likely won’t eat all of that, but could retain around $1.5 million next season to get a better return.
The Flames don’t have any huge contracts, and a large majority of their team is signed past next season. They are losing Mike Smith’s $4.25 million and only have Sam Bennett and Matthew Tkachuck to re-sign as restricted free agents. If you add Greene at $3.5 million, they’d still have a little over $10 million to work with before the salary cap goes up. Once it does go up, they could easily use Greene to round out their roster.
It’s hard to believe the Devils would trade their captain, but they could immediately give it to Taylor Hall if he wants it, or throw it on Travis Zajac while he’s still here. The Devils did do this before when they sent away Jamie Langenbrunner at the deadline.
The Flames are not looking at a ridiculous return, but it could cost two draft picks. Probably one in 2019 and one in 2020. This trade sends Andy Greene (with $1.5 million retained) and a 2020 fourth-round pick to the Flames for a 2019 fourth-round pick (originally owned by the Islanders) and a 2020 second-round pick.
This might seem like a lot for a third-line defenseman, but with how close the Western Conference is, where those picks will likely lie, and with the extra year on Greene’s deal, it should be worth it for both teams.