The next item: RW discussion and predictions

[ResAlien]

Originally Posted by StrykerSteve

Can CGY pry Neiderreiter out of MIN with prospects?

To MIN
John Gillies
Adam Fox

To CGY
Nino Neiderreiter

Wouldn't have even considered moving these guys before today, but if they're going to go for it... then let's f'ing go for it.

Hard pass. The short term trade for Smith leaves the org needing to keep every single goalie prospects because one has to work out.

[Murph]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

Don't think the top 6 need anybody. Bennett howwver needs a better linemate than Chiasson/Brouwer...

I wonder what the Devils would want for Kovalchuk... Morgan Klimchuk?

Kovalchuk would be perfect.

Gaudreau - Monahan - Kovalchuk
Jankowski - Backlund - Frolik
Tkachuk - Bennett - Ferland
Bouma - Stajan - Brouwer

[StrykerSteve]

Originally Posted by ResAlien

Hard pass. The short term trade for Smith leaves the org needing to keep every single goalie prospects because one has to work out.

That's fair. Maybe two defencemen then?

[Caged Great]

Originally Posted by StrykerSteve

That's fair. Maybe two defencemen then?

No because we need some guys to replace Gio down the road.

Basically no prospects can go. UFA or stand pat at this point.

[StrykerSteve]

Originally Posted by Caged Great

No because we need some guys to replace Gio down the road.

Basically no prospects can go. UFA or stand pat at this point.

They do have a number of prospects at D now though. Might be their chance to nab that elusive RW trading from a position of strength with a team in a bit of a cap crunch. Assume 2 make it, the others are going to be eventually moved, one way or another.

Kulak
Culkin
Andersson
Kylington
Fox
Valimaki
Ollas-Maatson
Wotherspoon

Just food for thought. /shrug

[442scotty]

I doubt any wingers are traded for... time for the kids and Prybl to step up

[Crumpy-Gunt]

If we get Kovalchuk i will be that sad we didnt draft klim kostin 31st and buddy him up with a russian legend. Have a feeling st louis will be happy with the value there after missing on oettinger. But i really cant see kovalchuk in calgary. I see him out east on a team that likes euros

[yourbestfriend]

I see absolutely nothing wrong with having Ferland riding shotgun on the top line. He put up a very respectable 15goals last year while being thrown all over the lineup. He's exactly the type of player we need on the top line.

A full year with Johnny and Monahan and he's probably within that 20-25 goal range. What more do we want? I think some of us are so fixated on getting a sexy name that we forget what we have right in front of us. Ferland is big, physical, can skate well, has good iq, scores and can make plays. Plus he's cost controlled. All we need for him is to be more consistent.

If i were tree, i'd be much more interested in finding a winger for Bennett. Hypothetically we get a guy like Kovy or Marleau, i'd be more inclined to put him with Bennett first than any other pairing.

[Gaudfather]

One thing is for sure - the quality of the Flames d-core will be a positive in any free agent discussions for the RW slot.

Guys who smell a contending team will want to play here.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Gaudfather

One thing is for sure - the quality of the Flames d-core will be a positive in any free agent discussions for the RW slot.

Guys who smell a contending team will want to play here.

Especially if you're a guy who thrives on that outlet pass because we've got 4 guys and a goalie who can make a tape-to-tape pass out of the zone.

Gaudreau especially is in for a good year.

[DAN0383]

Sign Brett Connolly on the cheap. He seemed to start to put it together with the Caps this year.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by yourbestfriend

If i were tree, i'd be much more interested in finding a winger for Bennett. Hypothetically we get a guy like Kovy or Marleau, i'd be more inclined to put him with Bennett first than any other pairing.

Absolutely.
Bennett-Kovalchuk
Backlund-Frolik
Gaudreau-Monahan

With Ferland, Tkachuk, Jankowski as the major wild cards able to play on different lines, different roles, and in Jankowski/Bennett's case, different positions..

There's no way you couldn't call us a contender.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by yourbestfriend

I see absolutely nothing wrong with having Ferland riding shotgun on the top line. He put up a very respectable 15goals last year while being thrown all over the lineup. He's exactly the type of player we need on the top line.

A full year with Johnny and Monahan and he's probably within that 20-25 goal range. What more do we want? I think some of us are so fixated on getting a sexy name that we forget what we have right in front of us. Ferland is big, physical, can skate well, has good iq, scores and can make plays. Plus he's cost controlled. All we need for him is to be more consistent.

If i were tree, i'd be much more interested in finding a winger for Bennett. Hypothetically we get a guy like Kovy or Marleau, i'd be more inclined to put him with Bennett first than any other pairing.

Yeah, Ferland on line 1 is just fine, especially if you bolster the 3rd line somehow.

Monahan and Johnny were both point per game or better with Ferland, and Ferland himself scored at a 25+ goal / 40 point pace.

[JurassicTunga12]

F it. Lets get Kovalchuk.
Lets win the cup.

[EVERLAST]

Ferlund deserves top line time

What he's done and been asked of him which is everything has to have him be there with Johnny and Sean.

Johnny and Sean play better with him on that line.

I keep saying this but ill say it again. Backlund has been give a ton of time and patience and look where he's at now. His ascension has been cool to watch and has had allot to do with confidence.

I can't even imagine how good Ferlund will be if we invest the same time and patience......plus Ferlund is a beast ......so even better.

[FireGilbert]

Obtaining a first line RW would be a nice to have, not a must have. Most top teams in the league don't have a first line of three stars but rely on having pairs of star players with the third line mate being interchangeable.

The Flames don't have the draft picks or other assets anyways to trade for a RW and none of the free agents look very enticing. The first line winger will need to come from within. Give Ferland the first chance to play with Monahan and Gaudreau and if that doesn't work out look at other options such as moving Bennett to the wing or even trying Gaudreau or Tkachuk on the right side. If that still doesn't work then you look at free agency next year.

[EldrickOnIce]

Radulov will get 6 years 40 M from someone.
1x8 no where close to getting it done.
Agreed, is only a pipe dream
What he brought to the Habs is exactly what the Flames need though, but not at what it is going to take

[btimbit]

I'm fine with sticking Ferland there again. Johnny and Monahan can provide offense alone, they don't need another star they just need a guy that won't kill a play every time he touches the puck like when Chaisson was up there. Like others have said, find a guy that clicks with Bennett. Not against trying Tkachuk - Monahan - Gaudreau either

[driveway]

Originally Posted by yourbestfriend

I see absolutely nothing wrong with having Ferland riding shotgun on the top line. He put up a very respectable 15goals last year while being thrown all over the lineup. He's exactly the type of player we need on the top line.

A full year with Johnny and Monahan and he's probably within that 20-25 goal range. What more do we want?

25 goals from a right winger is about the 14th or 15th best in the league from that position. I believe it's possible Ferland could do it, but it's asking a lot.

If he hits that 20-25 goals, we have our 1st line right wing.

[btimbit]

Originally Posted by driveway

25 goals from a right winger is about the 14th or 15th best in the league from that position. I believe it's possible Ferland could do it, but it's asking a lot.

If he hits that 20-25 goals, we have our 1st line right wing.

I think Ferland could score 20+ easily. He got 15 last year and spent over half the season in the bottom 6 of the lineup