Experienced and observant Flames fans are (painfully) aware that Sutter prefers guys he knows when it comes to trades/signings. If he's not familiar, then it's guys one of his brothers knows. Also, Western Canadian skaters are invariably preferred over and above everyone else.
With that in mind, and couched in the overarching context of the deadline (buyers, sellers, contract values, budget concerns, etc) who do you see Sutter pursuing between now and Tuesday? To my eye, Scottie Upshall is starting to look like a Sutter type pick-up (I keep going back to the Flyers because their pursuing Huselius just seems to make a lot of sense), for several reasons:
- He's relatively young (24)
- cheap (1.25M)
- was born in Fort Mcmurray AB,
- played his junior career with the Kamloops Blazers of the WHL
- and was a former first rounder (which Sutter seems to like as well).
Upshall has just 19 points in 42 games with Philly this year and has been plagued by injuries during his short career, specifically wrist and ankle problems. He's therefore likely seen as expendable in the Philly organization, especially behind guys like (my previous suggestions) Carter and Umberger.
Upshall alone isn't enough for huselius in my opinion. The hypothetical deal would have to involve at least another decent future asset from the Flyers to make it worth the Flames while.
Anyways, any other suggestions/predictions? Play some "six degrees of Sutter" and see if you can predict Darryl's next move...
