Although the CBJ might be fair, I kinda think CBJ management is in a more "win now". How's this. CBJ first and Hartnell....if the Flames can think he can effective for another three years for Flames first and Doug Hamilton. CBJ needs Dmen, Flames need wingers and gives Flames some cap room.

You're a little off here hal.

First off, Columbus has Jones, Murray, Savard and Johnson as D men. Plus they have Tyutin who needs to be protected from expansion because he has a NMC. Not to mention they have highly touted Werenski in the pipeline. They don't need to be adding D at all. They're already going to have trouble protecting what they have from Vegas.

Secondly, the value in that deal you propose is awful for Calgary. Hamilton already has two 40+ point seasons under his belt before he turned 23. He's going to be a stud, but at the very least he's a 23 year old top 2-3 Dman. You don't give that up to move up 3 spots in a draft. More realistic value would be Hamilton straight up for 3rd over all, but as a Flames fan I still wouldn't do it because a top pairing 40+ point Dman is more valuable than a top line winger every time. And here's the rub, we already KNOW Dougie is a top 2-3 Dman (with promise to be even more) while Puljujarvi is completely unproven at the NHL level.

Thirdly, I like Hartnell, I actually hope the Flames do find a way to get him this off season. But certainly not at the cost of any of our young core. While still a good player, he has a NMC and makes a lot of money. The Flames would be doing the Jackets a favor by taking his NMC and contract from them, so the cost shouldn't be too high. Something more like Joe Colborne straight across.

BurnEmUp -> Your right on the d-man item - no way Calgary trades Hamiton... As for aquiring Hartnell I really doubt that will happen - Flames have a serious log jam on the LW with more talented guys starting their way up the ladder so it would need to be right wing and a right shot to tempt Calgary into anything...

As for the above CBJ - I really don't want this to happen at any price... Ya Mathews would be really nice (not going to happen) but as for the 2 Fins... I don't see either being that much better than the next 3 LW's (one is lw/rw) in 3-5 years... Lets remember these 2 Fins are already playing at a European Pro Level... so just below AHL... This means they have both (at least partially) had their "pro" skill + strength jumps... (at least partially)... Once the next 3 Jr. draft picks get a couple years in them... This may be a totally different story line!!! Guess what I'm saying is that in 2-4 years the order the 5 will be ranked could drastically change so trading up (IMO) would be a waist of picks... Oh 1 more thing... Even if we did get one of the fins... Taking an 18 year old and throwing him on your top line to start the season - thats an EDM thing... Mathews probably but the 2 fins... doubt they are ready for that - look to see them 2nd or even 3rd line -> development takes time...

After Johnny who is really in the pipe on the left? no one... no one.

Bouma - Centre or Left
Shinkaruk - Centre can play the wing probably prefers the left but you can make him play the right im sure.
Ferland -lw or rw
Poirer is the only true LWer they have in the pipes right now and Im not even sure he's legit ready for the NHL he needs to prove that.

So yeah Hartnell fits in fine line up wise. The question is can the FLames free up Cap to do it. Personally I think they can.
Alot of this is dependent on Smid being on LTIR for 70% of the season or more.

PErsonally I'd rather move out Bouma and Use Hartnell on the third or foruth line.

JOhnny - Monny - JP
Raymond - Backlund - Frolik
Shinkaruk - Bennett - Pribyl (if he's ready and can adapt to the N).
Hartnell - Stajan - Ferland is a decent bottom line.
Let Bollig go down to Stockton.

You can alternate Raymond and Hartnell if you want or send Raymond to the minors and use someone else there. Doesn't matter really.