What Needs to be Done?

After two of the Flames stronger showings at home against Chicago and in Colorado, which was probably their best game this season, the Flames have gone right back to the way they were playing before, losing 3-0 against the Blues on Sunday and 5-3 last night versus the Red Wings. For some reason they took Boyd out of the line-up last night, I'm not sure if was for his play against St.Louis because I dint see that game but they put in Mark Smith and we all know how good he is. I am glad that they brought Boyd up to shake things up a little bit, hopefully he will be right back in the line-up tomorrow against the Ducks.

Anyways I think this is the perfect time for a trade. Something needs to be done to get this ship back on track and really if you look at it, the only thing is a trade. Like I have said so many times, I think the Flames need another defensemen especially with Warrener out. I think we also need another forward who can score goals and plays hard consistently. With Huselius playing so bad lately I think he is the perfect trade bait while his value is still high. I mentioned Huselius's name after last years first round playoff loss to the Red Wings too. He isn't playing well like I said, maybe it is a Keenan thing, who knows and he is not a playoff guy. Lots of people are saying that the Flames might get a veteran back-up to help and push Kipper to get him back on track. I wouldn't might that either but we shouldn't give up to much for that but I highly doubt we would either. There was rumors whether Sutter would pick up Alex Auld off waivers from the Coyotes last week, but that never happened but I think it will be a waiver move to fill in that veteran back-up spot if the move is even made at all. Anyways back to the first trade, here are a couple of possible trades that I think could help the Flames alot.

1) Calgary trades LW Kristian Huselius(1.4 mill/1 year) to Ottawa for RW Chris Neil(3.3 mill/3 years) & D Christoph Schubert(1.75 mill/3 years)
Now I doubt this trade is that likely but I love it and it makes so much sense. All you ever really hear out of Ottawa with them playing so well(maybe not lately) is how they need another top 6 forward. Huselius matches their need perfectly, he only has the one year remaining on his contract and has proven that he can be a top 6 forward. He would help their 2nd PP unit and their 2nd line. He could look very good alongside guys like Fisher and Vermette. Neil comes to Calgary and fits in perfectly with his style of play. He works hard every shift and has the speed and talent to keep up and score goals. Schubert has really come along in the last couple of years. He has a good shot from the point and can be very physical. He has the speed and smarts to play either forward or defense. He would look great on the Flames blueline, maybe even take a shift at forward since the Flames liked what Phaneuf brought when he was up there for a couple of shifts. Schubert could bring the same thing. I think this would be a perfect trade for the Flames right now and it is an out of conference trade which makes it even better.

2) Calgary trades LW Kristian Huselius(1.4 mill/1 year) to Dallas for D Stephane Robidas(4.5 mill/3 years) and C/W Joel Lundqvist(1.45 mill/2 years).
This trade could also work in a very similar way. The Flames would acquire Robidas who is a very good defensemen and would fit in so well in our top 4 especially playing beside Regehr. Also acquiring Lundqvist would give the Flames a gritty, hard-working player who has the potential to be a top 6 forward. Huselius would once again give the Stars another top-6 forward and one who can put the puck in the net, who they have been looking for, for the past couple of seasons. Either one of these trades I definitely wouldn't mind, both trades are pretty equal but I think I like this one a little more cause the Flames would get more help on the back-end. This trade is also an inner-conference trade but there isn't really much to worry about there.

3) Calgary trades D Andres Eriksson(3 mill/2 years) and a 2nd Round Draft Pick to Philadelphia for C Jeff Carter(1.884 mill/2 years).
This trade would be necessary if the Flames did trade away Huselius and acquired some help at the back-end, like Robidas. Carter has been rumored to maybe be on the move with the emergence of Mike Richards and the great play of their new #1 center Daniel Briere. The Flyers have been reportedly looking for a little extra help on the back-end too. Eriksson has played way better lately but I still think he is worth giving up if you can get a player like Carter. Throw a 2nd rounder in there, maybe even a 1st and I think you got yourself a good looking deal.

So let's say, just for fun, the Flames do do trades 2 and 3 lets look at some possible line combinations.

1- TANGUAY-LOMBARDI-IGINLA
2- CARTER-LANGKOW-MOSS
3- NYSTROM-CONROY-NOLAN
4- BOYD-YELLE-LUNDQVIST
EXTRA- PRIMEAU, GODARD, SMITH, NILSON

1- PHANEUF-AUCOIN
2- REGEHR-ROBIDAS
3- SARICH-WARRENER
EXTRA- HALE

1- KIPRUSOFF
2- McELHINNEY

I think that looks very improved. Maybe I'm dreaming a bit but I think all 3 of those deals are pretty fair and fill in holes that both teams would need.

Really I dont mind Huselius when he is playing good and setting up the PP, etc, but when he plays bad he is very bad. There doesn't seem to be any motivation and just doesn't put in the extra effort needed for success. I just think that maybe there is something behind him and Keenan cause he really hasn't played well in the last month. He becomes a free agent at the end of the summer and who know is we can even re-sign him since we have Phaneuf to lock up too. His value is still high and there are some teams that are looking for a top-6 forward who can put the puck in the net.

Anyways November has been a very rough month for the Flames and it isn't going to get much easier. The Ducks are in town tomorrow and they are coming off a very un-discipline loss to the Canucks last night. They will come out hard and hopefully so will the Flames. I think the Flames will come out hard and will get the victory at home for all the fans.