That's because your bone-headed GM (and I mean that in the nicest way; no disrepect to you personally) has no assets in the cupboard to play with.

Here's a brief and painful analysis of the Flames from the former sports writer for the Herald, Eric Duhatschek:

Hawks wanted Mason Raymond and 25th pick for Kris Versteeg.

i donno about ballard.. he's alright but at 4.2 mil? i'll pass

Pierre LeBrun

Am told Keith Ballard headed to Vancouver. Trade pending league approval. 2 minutes ago via UberTwitter

That is way too much for Versteeg. Raymond and Versteeg are similar in terms of development, skill set and age, although Raymond is quicker IMO. Adding in a 1st round pick is a gross overpayment

looks like we got Ballard for Bernier

NHLSourcesSay

Official: Source was correct, Ballard to Van for 25th pick and Bernier. less than a minute ago via web

Real_ESPNLeBrun

Panthers-Canucks deal may not get announced until we get to Vancouver's 25th overall pick ... 3 minutes ago via UberTwitter

Yah seems like a lot of people are reporting it is a done deal pretty much.

If it is Ballard for Bernier and 1st, I could definitely live with that. Bernier is obviously expendable with the depth of wingers we have in our system, and it gets his 2 million salary off the table.

4.2 million is quite high for Ballard, and it is long term, becoming our highest paid D-Man I believe? But if he pans out in Vancouver, it will be well worth it as he is just reaching his prime.

THE DRAFT IS STARTINGGGG

Keith Ballard? Damn man...that means no Hamhuis

How old is ballard?
Posted via RS Mobile

i just heard this at the end of sportscentre...

now i see this lol WTF

NHLSourcesSay

With Van acquiring Ballard look for Bieksa to eventually be moved... half a minute ago via web

HEIGHT: 5' 11"
WEIGHT: 208
Shoots: Left
BIRTHDATE: Nov 26, 1982 (AGE 27)
BIRTHPLACE: Baudette, MN, United States
DRAFTED: BUF / 2002 NHL Entry Draft
ROUND: 1st (11th overall)

http://miamiherald.typepad.com/flapa...ver-again.html

The former Phoenix Coyote is off to Vancouver after Dale Tallon traded him west for forward Steve Bernier and the No. 25 pick in tonight's draft.

It would be foolish if Gillis doesn't also get a pick in return, at least a 3rd rounder.

NOOOOOOO

Pierre LeBrun Real_ESPNLeBrun

Florida trades Keith Ballard and prospect Victor Oreskovich to Vancouver for Steve Bernier, Michael Grabner and Canucks' 1st-round pick



Real_ESPNLeBrun

However, am told the trade is conditional on a player Vancouver wanting not being avaialble at 25th overall... 4 minutes ago via web

gonna miss Grabner.
On the other hand, Lui should watch for his head!

omg now we dont have any picks until the 4th round

I don't know how good Oreskovich is but i liked Grabner

:( GRABNER

No wayyyy! Bernier, Grabner and a 1st???

I need an official source, too many rumors from different people floating around.

WTF grabner too!?!?!?!?!

Why does Bettman twitch so much live?

TAYLOR HALL #1 EDMONTON OILERS

More on this Oreskovich guy. Source, may be outdated as it was from his colllege days in UND: http://www.und.com/sports/m-hockey/m..._victor00.html

Earned first monogram with the Irish in 2004-05 as a regular on the Notre Dame attack ... prototypical power forward who can score goals as well as set them up ... unselfish player who blends size (6-3, 200), speed, great hands and outstanding hockey skills ... enthusiastic skater with a tremendous work ethic ... strong in traffic with a nose for the net ... does not stray from physical contact ... has the potential to be a big-time pro player ... played in 37 of 38 games as a freshman, picking up a goal and two assists for three points ... joined the Irish after spending the 2003-04 season with the USHL's Green Bay Gamblers ... made his verbal committment to Notre Dame as a 15-year old in fall of 2001 ... selected in the second round, 55th overall, in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft by the Colorado Avalanche ... went into the draft ranked 72nd among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting ... one of four former Green Bay Gamblers on the roster along with juniors Wes O'Neill and Noah Babin and sophomore Dan VeNard ... one of 17 Irish players to have played in the USHL ... joins five other Canadians on the Notre Dame roster - senior Matt Amado (Surrey, B.C.), juniors David Brown (Stoney Creek), Wes O'Neill (Essex, Ont.) and Matt Williams-Kovacs (Calgary, Alb.), sophomore Brock Sheahan (Lethbridge, Alb.) and freshman Jamie Silverson (Thunder Bay, Ont.) ... one of four Irish players selected in the NHL Entry Draft, joining Mike Walsh (New York Rangers), David Brown (Pittsburgh Penguins) and Wes O'Neill (New York Islanders).

Figured.. oilers prospects are looking pretty sick.