The March 2nd NHL Trade Deadline is quickly approaching, and the Calgary Flames are in a position to be buyers for the first time in six years. Yes, the Calgary Flames are in the midst of a playoff race and could very well see themselves making the post-season if a successful push comes in the last leg of the season. But does that mean the Flames are willing to risk their young assets for a potential rental UFA? Not a chance, according to General Manager Brad Treliving.
“We have a long-term approach we’re taking here. I have no appetite to move young assets for a player that would help us for a short period of time.” – Brad Treliving in an interview with Yahoo Sports.
Curtis Glencross on the Hot Seat
But one name that has been garnering attention around Calgary has been veteran Curtis Glencross. Glencross is on the last year of his 4 year contract with the Flames, and has a cap hit of $2.55M which is a very appealing number for many teams out there, especially being a proven 20 goal scorer. It is being reported that contract talks have stalled with the forward, and that could be a concern inching closer to the deadline if management believes that Glencross could weigh his options elsewhere in the summer. It is always a risk to have a potential UFA on a team moving past the trade deadline, but with Glencross it could simply be a case of not wanting to let contract talks play as a distraction in his game as the Flames continue their playoff push. It is more likely that a deal gets done and finalized with Curtis and the team towards the off-season.
The question we ask ourselves now is simple. Do the Flames pull the trigger and move Glencross on, or before March 2nd? First off, they would have to get the OK from Glencross himself, by having him waive his NMC. Secondly, it may just throw a wrench in the Flames’ chemistry that has developed over the course of the season. Glencross is a locker room leader, and a veteran presence for a young Flames team. He is well liked by the players in the room, and the Flames could risk a morale drop if they decide to move him at the deadline. That is something that Calgary cannot afford to do this late into the season, especially in the midst of a playoff push. Curtis has made himself quite clear on wanting to stay with Calgary, and has noted that it would be a disappointment to miss the playoffs given how well the team has progressed this season. Glencross loves the city of Calgary, and has always nixed the idea of playing elsewhere. Of course, things change when it’s known that you are not wanted as a part of the team any longer; but there have been no signs of that being the case with the Flames as neither Glencross, nor Flames management have come out and said so.
At least, not yet.
Leading On and Off the Ice
It’s no secret that Glencross’ production has dropped this season, only sitting at 11 goals so far on the year. Not to mention that he has gone through injury woes throughout the year as well, just recently having re-inserted himself into the Flames line-up. But having gone through the ups-and-downs in Calgary, and seeing how the team has made its turnaround this season, it is no secret that Curtis would love to be apart of the Flames push towards the postseason, and potentially see the C of Red in the playoffs for the first time in six seasons. Glencross has always shot down the idea of playing elsewhere, noting that Calgary is his home and where he plans on staying. His off-ice contributions also never go unnoticed as he recently began what has turned into a yearly event; being the Glencross Invitational Charity Roughstock Event, which sees events such as a Celebrity Poker Tournament featuring many Flames players, as well as a Rodeo competition, all in part to raise money for local charities. Curtis has put on this event for 2 years now, and this past August the event raised $300,000 for charities such as Hockey Alberta Every Kid Every Community and the Ronald McDonald House – Central Alberta.
Does this sound like a player who is ready to leave the city of Calgary?
It appears as though it does not stop the rumours from circling, because with no contract extension in place as of yet, and the clock ticking towards the trade deadline, teams are calling and asking about the availability of the veteran winger. As per Elliot Friedman, teams such as Boston, Winnipeg, Pittsburgh and potentially the Tampa Bay Lightning have shown interest in Glencross. He would compliment all of those teams, and improve their top 6 immediately; but now is not the time to move Curtis Glencross.
Veteran Presence is Key
"It's the leadership, from our veteran group." – Colborne on staying calm when trailing in games (VIDEO) ~ http://t.co/rRy43f4eaX
— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) February 17, 2015
After being down 3-0 against the Boston Bruins on Monday night, Calgary surged to come from behind and take a 4-3 OT win, shocking the Bruins and the hockey world once again. As Joe Colborne credited in his post-game interview, it wouldn’t be without the leadership of this team that they would be able to have such success. With leadership playing such a big role in the impact of this team’s performance since the beginning of the season, now is not the time to eliminate one of the few veteran presences left on the team. Glencross has been a dedicated member of the Calgary Flames, and an important piece to that dressing room. Losing him could vastly affect the chemistry of the team and prove to be costly for the Flames moving forward. Brad Treliving has been very vocal on not wanting to jeopardize the team in making moves that do not make sense, and this would be one of those cases. Although trade deadline time becomes an exciting time of the year for fans of any team, if I’m the Flames, I’m looking to stay pretty quiet on March 2nd and ride the wave with the team that has been successful all season long; and despite his name being thrown out there in trade talks, Curtis Glencross will remain a Flame past the March 2nd Trade Deadline and beyond.
It’s simply a case of what’s best for business.
