Madness!

The second trade in as many days is now complete.

In a Flames trade that befuddles even Ranger fans, the long-sought prototypical center has been shipped off with a fan favourite for two wingers that chiefly add bad contracts to the team.

I'm still trying to digest the recent moves, this post will be a stream-of-consciousness point/counterpoint.
(Sutter refers only to GM Daryll for this post)


Point: Removing Jokinen from the team suggests Sutter wants players with a winning pedigree. FLA and PHX didn't win and Jokinen just didn't win enough.

Counter-point: Adding Higgins, Kotalik, and a merry band of Maple Leafs throws water on that.


Point: A huge influx of pure skill suggests Sutter wants to move away from grinding defensive system and toward a more open "firewagon" style of hockey.

Counter-point: Removing Cammy, Dion, and Keenan are incongruent with an offensive brand.


Point: This is parts 1 & 2 in a multi-stage roster shuffle.

Counter-point: It's difficult to accept that when, viewing the trades together, the three most valuable assets (Dion, Joker, Aulie) leave the team.
However, that is the straw I am currently clutching at.


Conclusion:
Trading Dion suggests only one conclusion. Sutter wants the cup this season and is working on adding a superstar forward.

How?
-Working backwards, Stajan could replace Lankow's role on the team,
-Higgins and Hagman fit on the wings and both are rumoured to have been coveted by Sutter. Dawes, Bourque, and Glencross have had their chance and have failed to fill the role as 2nd line contributors.
-Kotalik did not want to come to Calgary and (allegedly) needed convincing to waive a no-trade-clause negotiated solely to prevent a return to western Canada.
-Even with the Aulie move, there is a plethora of minor league defense. Negrin, Palin, Seabrook, even Erixon.
-Backlund's call-up looks like an audition.
-There has been a shuffling of minor league goalies. I don't claim to know the circumstances behind it, but Keetly/Iriving/Mcelhinney appear to be redundant and ripe for the picking.

Those appear to be the "chips" the Flames have to play poker with:
(asterisk denotes a 'must go' if my theory holds water)
C Langkow*, Backlund
W Glencross/Bourque, Kotalik*
D Pelech/AHL stable
G Irving/Keetly/Mac


That is not an insignificant package of assets. I expect (hope?) that Sutter completed a trade in principle before either of the trades of the last couple days (that included Kotalik, specifically or generally), and needed to move Dion to fill in the gaps created by this upcoming trade.



Role needed to be filled: #1 playmaking center.
Sutter will not leave this role unfilled, and evidently does not see Backlund filling it.

Who would?
Vincent Lecavalier seems to be the most logical.

Why Tampa?
Subtracting a center, but remaining a Stanley cup contender, Tampa would require a Langkow-type center.
Jokinen and his expiring contract have salary cap repercussions (the Lightning actually have to have cap space allocated for an expiring contract) or the Bolts simply don't like the Finn.
Kotalik and his combo of skill and howitzer shot may be coveted to pair with Stamkos.
Hedman, Ohlund, and Mezaros comprise a solid defensive core would limit Dion's value for TB.

These circumstances answer some puzzling questions, and combined with other assets from the Flames would comprise a very competitive package.

Dreaming?
Probably.

Madness?
Surely.