T-Radar: Canada's Teams Trade Talk - Calgary Flames

{Note for an explanation of T-Radar, click here}

Just over 7 days to D-Day (Trade Deadline Day, that is!)

Calgary Flames: GM Darryl Sutter, like a seasoned poker player, likes to keep his cards close to his chest to go with his unreadable poker face. He also tends to like to close any deals well before the trade deadline. Before last week's contest against the Wild, the Flames were realistically only looking to fine tune the roster unless something to good to pass up fell into Sutter's lap. How things can change in a hurray! With breakthrough forward Rene Bourque and his 21 even strength only goals and Mark Giordano, the steady puck-moving defenseman, out for extended periods of time, Sutter's hands may indeed be forced to do more than he first intended. See my post from Feb 12/09 and my views have changed as well. Darryl has previously stated what he has on the farm are better options than what's available. The following week will put that theory to the ultimate test.

Needful Things:

Primary: Top 4 puck-moving d-man - Not only to make up for Gio's injury, but Flames could use help on the recently futile powerplay.

Candidates: Derek Morris (5/10), JM Liles (4/10), Jordan Leopold (4.5/10), Ryan Whitney(2.5/10), Jay Boumeester (1/10), Ville Koistinen (2.5/10)

Secondary need: Top 9 Forward - Most are calling for a top 6 forward, but I think the cost will ultimately be too high. The Flames have guys who can step up into a top 6 role with the likes of Curtis Glencross and Dustin Boyd. Sutter will likely want to have some depth in the event of another unforeseen injury.

Candidates: Chris Neil (6.5/10), Nik Antropov (2/10) {Please NO!}, Steve Sullivan (2.5/10), Olli Jokinen (0.5/10) {Never say never, I guess}, Mark Recchi (2.5/10)

*I don't think he will, but I hope Sutter doesn't sacrifice any youth, especially Mikael Backlund, other than Kris Chucko to make a deal.

Check out articles from The Fourth Period and the Globe and Mail for further insight.