Operation Sports Forums - View Single Post - Turning up the heat

Dynasty · 01-03-2015, 03:23 PM

Hello and welcome fans, for TSN I am hockey insider Bob McKenzie.

It appears that the Calgary Flames will continue with changes today, just a couple hours ago the trade with Anaheim involving the disgruntled Mikeal Backlund for the sparingly used Patrick Maroon was announced and now we have confirmation from the club that:

Calgary trades:

RW Devin Setoguchi (SNP) 27 years old top 6 forward (exact) Role: 3rd line scorer 84 overall .750M 1 year remaining on his contract

To Los Angeles for:

LW Kyle Clifford (GRN) 23 years old bottom 6 forward (high) Role: 3rd line checker .945M 1 year remaining on his contract

2015 2nd (LAK)

Looking at this deal as a whole I am surprised from both sides of it. It was looking like Setoguchi had finally found his home in Calgary and was settling in with a productive start (and leading the team in many categories) and Clifford was such a good fit for the Kings and the style of game they employ, but dig a little deeper and perhaps we find reasoning behind the swap.

L.A is up hard on the cap and will have to make decisions regarding 33 year old RW Justin Williams who is due for renewal as well as 32 year old C Jarret Stoll, 22 year old LW Tanner Pearson who is coming off his entry level contract and due for a raise, 22 year old RW Tyler Toffoli who is also coming off his entry level contract and due for a raise, 25 year old C Jordan Nolan coming off his entry level deal. Questions about re-signing 34 year old D Robyn Regehr, 26 year old D Jamie Mccain, and back up goaltender Martin Jones.

Perhaps it was the thinking of Kings GM Dean Lombardi that Clifford would want too much money to be able to retain other players, or perhaps a re-emerging Setoguchi who also has decent size at 6'0" 205 LBS can fit well into the Kings system and perhaps replace an aging Williams.

Numbers game:

L.A Kings get:

Setoguchi has already matched his goal total (11) from 75 games played last year, has better plus/minus on a troubled Calgary team has more shots and better shooting percentage than the past four years, yes he has struggled to stay consistent there is no doubt of that. He also once reached the 30 goal plateau along side Joe Thornton in San Jose, granted he hasn't returned to that form. His closest marker to that 30 goal year in 08/09 was 20 goals in the 10/11 season again with San Jose. His numbers are on the rise again though, if he remains on his current pace Setoguchi projects in around 25 goals and 20 assists, not bad at all for .750M of cap space, especially once you combine him with higher tier talent players that he will see in L.A. VS his regular line mates in Calgary.

The kings are perennial contenders of late and are again charging towards post season glory this year sitting atop the NHL standings. It's possible that if Setoguchi continues his scoring ways he may take a discount on his next deal to remain with said perennial contender.

Given the worst case scenario and Setoguchi doesn't continue to put up points or is unsignable in the off season L.A delt from an area of abundance to bolster their scoring touch and to take a chance on a 27 year old sniper to potentially replace 33 year old Justin Williams.

Not that far fetched of an idea.

Calgary gets:

Clifford continues to fill an obvious void in Calgary and will further push their compete and physical ability up, he's young enough that he could grow into a somewhat larger role and is skilled enough that he could be counted upon if a scoring opportunity were to arise, it wouldn't be too far fetched to see Clifford in many different situations for the Flames this season as they test his capabilities and he will be an RFA this upcoming off season as he seeks contract renewal with his new club.

Clifford should turn out to be a fan favourite here and an important character player for Calgary as the years progress. The loss of a productive Setoguchi will set the Flames back on the score sheet, of that there is no doubt as Cliffords highest scoring NHL totals are still below Setoguchi's worst but his impact will be along the boards in both ends of the ice, again an area Calgary needs a boost in.

Calgary gets:
2015 2nd (LAK)

A nice addition to the deal for Calgary who is gathering a surplus of picks for this years draft, this draft pick would represent the skill difference between the two players involved in this trade I would assume, never the less it gives Calgary options on the draft floor.

I have just been made aware we will be turning our coverage to a live press conference with Flames GM Brad Treliving that is about to start, afterward we will return here.

For everything Flames keep your eyes here, for TSN I am hockey insider Bob McKenzie.

01-03-2015, 03:23 PM	#32
Dynasty Pro OVR: 2 Join Date: Oct 2010	Re: Turning up the heat - NHL 15 BE A GM Hello and welcome fans, for TSN I am hockey insider Bob McKenzie. It appears that the Calgary Flames will continue with changes today, just a couple hours ago the trade with Anaheim involving the disgruntled Mikeal Backlund for the sparingly used Patrick Maroon was announced and now we have confirmation from the club that: Calgary trades: RW Devin Setoguchi (SNP) 27 years old top 6 forward (exact) Role: 3rd line scorer 84 overall .750M 1 year remaining on his contract To Los Angeles for: LW Kyle Clifford (GRN) 23 years old bottom 6 forward (high) Role: 3rd line checker .945M 1 year remaining on his contract 2015 2nd (LAK) Looking at this deal as a whole I am surprised from both sides of it. It was looking like Setoguchi had finally found his home in Calgary and was settling in with a productive start (and leading the team in many categories) and Clifford was such a good fit for the Kings and the style of game they employ, but dig a little deeper and perhaps we find reasoning behind the swap. L.A is up hard on the cap and will have to make decisions regarding 33 year old RW Justin Williams who is due for renewal as well as 32 year old C Jarret Stoll, 22 year old LW Tanner Pearson who is coming off his entry level contract and due for a raise, 22 year old RW Tyler Toffoli who is also coming off his entry level contract and due for a raise, 25 year old C Jordan Nolan coming off his entry level deal. Questions about re-signing 34 year old D Robyn Regehr, 26 year old D Jamie Mccain, and back up goaltender Martin Jones. Perhaps it was the thinking of Kings GM Dean Lombardi that Clifford would want too much money to be able to retain other players, or perhaps a re-emerging Setoguchi who also has decent size at 6'0" 205 LBS can fit well into the Kings system and perhaps replace an aging Williams. Numbers game: L.A Kings get: Setoguchi has already matched his goal total (11) from 75 games played last year, has better plus/minus on a troubled Calgary team has more shots and better shooting percentage than the past four years, yes he has struggled to stay consistent there is no doubt of that. He also once reached the 30 goal plateau along side Joe Thornton in San Jose, granted he hasn't returned to that form. His closest marker to that 30 goal year in 08/09 was 20 goals in the 10/11 season again with San Jose. His numbers are on the rise again though, if he remains on his current pace Setoguchi projects in around 25 goals and 20 assists, not bad at all for .750M of cap space, especially once you combine him with higher tier talent players that he will see in L.A. VS his regular line mates in Calgary. The kings are perennial contenders of late and are again charging towards post season glory this year sitting atop the NHL standings. It's possible that if Setoguchi continues his scoring ways he may take a discount on his next deal to remain with said perennial contender. Given the worst case scenario and Setoguchi doesn't continue to put up points or is unsignable in the off season L.A delt from an area of abundance to bolster their scoring touch and to take a chance on a 27 year old sniper to potentially replace 33 year old Justin Williams. Not that far fetched of an idea. Calgary gets: Clifford continues to fill an obvious void in Calgary and will further push their compete and physical ability up, he's young enough that he could grow into a somewhat larger role and is skilled enough that he could be counted upon if a scoring opportunity were to arise, it wouldn't be too far fetched to see Clifford in many different situations for the Flames this season as they test his capabilities and he will be an RFA this upcoming off season as he seeks contract renewal with his new club. Clifford should turn out to be a fan favourite here and an important character player for Calgary as the years progress. The loss of a productive Setoguchi will set the Flames back on the score sheet, of that there is no doubt as Cliffords highest scoring NHL totals are still below Setoguchi's worst but his impact will be along the boards in both ends of the ice, again an area Calgary needs a boost in. Calgary gets: 2015 2nd (LAK) A nice addition to the deal for Calgary who is gathering a surplus of picks for this years draft, this draft pick would represent the skill difference between the two players involved in this trade I would assume, never the less it gives Calgary options on the draft floor. I have just been made aware we will be turning our coverage to a live press conference with Flames GM Brad Treliving that is about to start, afterward we will return here. For everything Flames keep your eyes here, for TSN I am hockey insider Bob McKenzie. Last edited by Dynasty; 01-03-2015 at 05:02 PM.