WWYD Wednesday: Choose a prospect to trade

We all know the Flames’ major needs heading into the summer: starting goalie, top six winger, top four defender. We also know there is going to be a very active trade market between now and the first round of the entry draft.

What we don’t know is what the Flames can offer in return for any of the key assets mentioned. Part of the challenge is the org’s lack of second and third round picks this summer. Top 90 picks are typical currency in swaps of this nature, meaning Calgary is going to have to offer up other assets to get a deal or two done.

The big one, of course, is the organization’s first round pick, which the team will understandably be reluctant to part with. Aside from 16th overall, the Flames may be forced to dip into their stable of prospects.

So what kids do the Flames have to dangle on the trade market? And who would you be willing to move in order to plug holes on the parent roster?

Let’s first establish that a lot of prospects have next to no value on the trade market, meaning any trades featuring Austin Carroll or Keegan Kanzig probably aren’t worth considering.

Let’s jump to the names that might elicit some interest.

Tier 1:

Tier 2:

Tier one guys are likely to get the most interest and are closer to “centerpiece” trade assets. Tier two guys would be closer to “sweeteners” you could throw into a trade package to seal the deal.

Obviously, this is all rather speculative and subjective, but since we can only guess at the trade market, it’s somewhere to start.

To some degree, the position the Flames are trading for will dictate who is considered expendable above. For example, if the Flames are looking at a young, starter quality goaltender, then it makes it less painful to part with Gillies. If they are able to get a top four defender, then maybe losing Andersson wouldn’t be as harmful, etc.

So if there is a legit starter, winger and/or defender available… who would you be willing to part with to make it happen?