Flames Trade Analysis

Coming: Daymond Langkow (21 G, 31A, +4, 40 PIM) of the Phoenix Coyotes
Going: Denis Gauthier and Oleg Saprykin

Tough to lose Gauthier, but he was definitely the odd man out on the D-line. Flames should still have good depth with top 4 D of Regehr, Leopold, Lydman, & Warrener eating up most of the ice-time and Ferrence, Montador, Commodore, Phaneuf and Evans all ready to step up when needed.

Getting Langkow is great, especially when Reinprecht is so injury-prone. Allows Nilson to play wing even tho he did have some success centering Iggy. I guess anyone should be able to play with our franchise player tho, just ask Sakic & Lemieux. Saprykin is just a Nieminen-wannabe. Might as well keep the original. Pretty much a throw-in to even up the salaries.

Did we give up too much for Langkow tho? Guess it depends if Sutter knew Barnett was ditching Langow for Nedved. This is one of those rare trades that should work out for both teams. Phoenix's free-agent signings this offseason (Hull, Ricci, Nedved, etc) should improve their 14 games under .500 record enough to at least challenge for the playoffs. Also remember Nagy was having a breakout season before getting injured. I guess it depends if Boucher can bounce back from a mediocre numbers last year. I remember the Flames and their fans use to worry about their goaltending until we traded for San Jose's third-string goalie.