Not too sure if anyone saw the Carolina-Weight situation coming until it actually happened. This trade effects (affects?) Calgary in two distinctly seperate ways:
1.) Calgary was a front-runner in the Doug Weight Sweepstakes, largely in hopes of solving their "#1-center-to-feed-Iginla-sweet-passes" issue. No dice. Considering that the Hurricanes gave up 3 players and 3 draft picks, including a 2006 first round pick, it's clear that the asking price was too high. Granted, the 3 players are largely fringe-types (Boulerice, Zigomanis, Kahnberg) and the Hurricanes got another player besides Weight in return (Rajamaki), it still sounds like too much future being traded for an aging play-off rental. I, personally, would have been distressed if Calgary had have traded their #1 draft pick for Weight...considering the unimpressive record of the Omaha Knights, the Flames need all the #1 draft picks they can get (or have). That said, Im somewhat glad Weight went to a team as far from Calgary as possible - he's still good enough to do some damage...
...oh well. The search for Calgary's #1 center continues...
2.) Calgary also happens to play the NHL-worst St. Louis Blues today, who are now less their two top centermen (Sillinger, Weight). While there is always the shake-up karma that seems to effect teams the day of/after big transactions like this, I dont expect it can possibly make enough of a difference tonight. St. Loo has gotten considerably worse than they were before - and they were really bad before. The fact that they acquired almost no one that can step in and make a difference from the Carolina deal further benefits Calgary...
Of course, the ever-present danger of "not taking thy foe seriously" a la the Canucks/Blues this year is always an issue. However, I can't see a Sutter-coached team making THAT same mistake twice in less than a week. I'd say tonight's 2 points are "MUST GETS": facing a gutted opponent in the midst of a fire-sale is as good an opportunity as there ever will be to close out a road-trip on a winning note. Hear that Jarome?? WORST TEAM IN NHL=SCORES SOME GOALS!
Gameday Threat - "WIN FLAMES. OR SUTTER WILL TRADE FOR BELFOUR."
