re: MSB Season Long Hockey Thread

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Let’s take a look at some history behind this deal to see how a bad front office behaves.
Two years ago, the Flames felt they were Stanley cup contenders with a rapidly closing window (I agreed with that), so they made a deadline deal for D Jordan Leopold, giving up a 2nd round pick and two spare players. Leopold proved to be a total bust in Calgary and was a restricted free agent. So the brain rust decided to trade his rights plus a 3rd round pick for Jay Bouwmeester.

Bouwmeester signed a contract paying him $7 million a year, despite the fact he sucks. Bouwmeester is an “offensive” defenseman who scored three goals last season. Yeah, three. Because of this huge outlay of cash, the Flames suddenly had most their cap invested in four players: Kiprusoff (a declining goalie), Iginla (an aged superstar), Phaneuf (a young star capable of greatness and stupidity), and Bouwmeester (total crap). Arguably the two next best players on the team were both defensemen (a youngish Giordiano whose contract was coming up and the ageless Robin Regehr).

Simply put, this put the Flames in a bit of a bind, as their payroll was tied up in their blueline and the next big payday was also a blueliner. The last thing the Flames needed was another star defenseman. They certainly didn’t need an overpriced one who sucks so completely that no light escapes from his play. The Flames looked at this situation and decided they had to dump a defenseman to pay for Gio next season. The Flames traded Dion Phaneuf, not Jay Bouwmeester.

It is at this point I will point out that Phaneuf scored more goals, had more assists, and had a higher plus/minus. Looking at advanced metrics, Phaneuf had a better CORSI rate, against tougher rated competition, with lower rated linemates. Looking at intangibles, Phaneuf was an excellent power play player, was a devastating hitter, though did have some erratic play due to, well, being young. He cost less money, was signed longterm, and is younger. He is also one of the most heavily marketed young NHL stars. Frankly, every single factor tilted in Phaneuf’s favor. The Flames decided to go all-in with Bouwmeester.

Phaneuf was traded for Ian White, Matt Stajan, and Niklas Hagman. Hagman and Stajan are both wingers and in a combined 80+ games have combined for 13 goals, which sucks. Hagman is on the decline of his career and Stajan is a player who has never scored 20 goals. These guys are roster fodder. The key to the deal had to be Ian White, who has now been traded for Anton Babchuck, a pretty good offensive defenseman. Certainly better than Bouwmeester.

So… in order to sign the downright worthless Jay Bouwmeester to a $7 mil/year contract, the Flames gave up a 2nd round pick, a 3rd round pick, DION PHANEUF and all they have to show for it is some roster fodder and a guy better and cheaper than Bouwmeester. And as Them points out, the team SUCKS defensively despite spending more on blueliners and goaltending than anyone.

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