Armchair GMs assemble, propose your best offer to the Panthers for the 1st pick

[Rubicant]

The only team ahead of us I could see trading their pick for help now is Edmonton, which is too bad as I would rather keep our pick and put together a package for one of the higher ones.

I think ekblad is who Florida wants so I don't see them wanting to trade down unless we pay a lot. Assuming they do take ekblad I would prefer us to just take who arrives at 4 than move up.

[sureLoss]

I wouldn't give up a prospect like Baertschi or Gaudreau + our 1st.

The difference between 4th and 1st is not worth a potential top 6 forward.

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

I wouldn't give up a prospect like Baertschi or Gaudreau + our 1st.

The difference between 4th and 1st is not worth a potential top 6 forward.

Especially when 4th still gets us a high-end centre, which is an organizational need.

Monahan
Bennett
Backlund
Stajan

and we all of a sudden have high-end centre depth. Which is the PERFECT way to start a rebuild.

Acquiring high-end first and second line centres any other way than drafting them high in the draft, is very hard to do. Having Monahan + Bennett (or Draisaitl or Reinhart), is fantastic.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

The price to move up is more than most of us would be willing to pay IMO. The real question is would it be more than Burke is willing to pay? You gotta know he's drooling over the 6'4 potential franchise defenseman. In the end I bet Florida demands too much for the pick. Ekblad is a perfect fit for them IMO and I don't think they move down unless somebody massively overpays.

Now on the other hand if you want to start a thread about trading up to #2 with BUF, I could see that being far more feasible. However I'm not sure it adds much value for us unless we really love a guy like Bennett more than rest and are scared someone will take him.

Feels like a year where we just sit at #4 and several good players will drop to us.

[Muta]

It's very possible we stand pat. In January, Burke mentioned that the 2015 draft is very important to them; implying more than the 2014. My guess is Calgary may be gunning for Eichel or McDavid next year. Noel Hanafin is a defenseman that's highly ranked as well next year.

Unless we make a move for Ekblad, I can see us taking a centre (even Draisaitl) this year and one of Hanafin, Oliver Kylington or Zach Werenski next year.

[trublmaker]

Originally Posted by PeteMoss

I think if Edmonton trades the pick, it has to go for an established player. Ekblad is good... but he doesn't move the needle for next season and they desparately need to improve next year to avoid even more fan base revolt.

why should they worry about this now when they don't care about their fans now.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

Especially when 4th still gets us a high-end centre, which is an organizational need.

Monahan
Bennett
Backlund
Stajan

and we all of a sudden have high-end centre depth. Which is the PERFECT way to start a rebuild.

Acquiring high-end first and second line centres any other way than drafting them high in the draft, is very hard to do. Having Monahan + Bennett (or Draisaitl or Reinhart), is fantastic.

I am against moving up at that price as well - and Gaudreau would be right out of the question IMO.

If Bennett were the likely prize, then great. But if Florida takes a forward, or if Edmonton trades their pick, then we are looking at Draisaitl or Dal Colle, at which point the price of trading up would be more palatable.

Our 1st and a couple other picks - sure

Our 1st + Baertschi? That would be tough, and I would do it ONLY if I was pretty sure the top 3 would all be gone otherwise.

[Dagger]

It'll take a hell of a lot. You have to assume that they're gonna take Ekblad or at least give out that vibe to those asking - simply because he's by far the best defenseman in this weak year and he has franchise potential.

If they're gonna tell they're fan base that they traded the first overall pick, and also forego the obvious marketing ploy to attract fans with a 1st overall pick that's ready to play next year it's going to have a colossal cost.

It would take Sven and 4 OR Giordano + to get that pick most likely. No thanks.

[Dagger]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

The price to move up is more than most of us would be willing to pay IMO. The real question is would it be more than Burke is willing to pay? You gotta know he's drooling over the 6'4 potential franchise defenseman. In the end I bet Florida demands too much for the pick. Ekblad is a perfect fit for them IMO and I don't think they move down unless somebody massively overpays.

Now on the other hand if you want to start a thread about trading up to #2 with BUF, I could see that being far more feasible. However I'm not sure it adds much value for us unless we really love a guy like Bennett more than rest and are scared someone will take him.

Feels like a year where we just sit at #4 and several good players will drop to us.

Even at #1 it would have been hard to see Buffalo taking Ekblad with the wealth of defensive talent they have, including two top 15 selections from last year, that should see time next year. It's pretty unlikely they'd fall two spots when the two teams beneath them are both almost assuredly drafting the same position. Maybe if they fall in love with MDC but you'd think the centre would be Murray's priority.

[Fire It Up]

Swap firsts with Carolina and have Jordan Staal (yes I know he has a NTC) come this way with Granlund or Max Reinhart going other way?

[Yoho]

Originally Posted by Fire It Up

Swap firsts with Carolina and have Jordan Staal (yes I know he has a NTC) come this way with Granlund or Max Reinhart going other way?

Then fire Burke afterwards

[Fire It Up]

Originally Posted by Yoho

Then fire Burke afterwards

I don't think getting a 1/2 Center and potentially one of Virtanen or Ritchie for a that deal would cost him his job. We get yet bigger down the middle and have a shot at a large winger in the process.

[PIMking]

we will give em....

glencross and #4 for #1....

this way they will still suck and we get what we want..

[BurningSteel]

Best price $34.50

[Caged Great]

the only way I could see us trading up is if a vet + 1st for 1st is the trade. I don't see us moving any prospects/picks to move up.

[ramizle]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

I wouldn't give up a prospect like Baertschi or Gaudreau + our 1st.

The difference between 4th and 1st is not worth a potential top 6 forward.

Agreed. We could end up trading Beartschi for what could be another player similar to Baertschi. At least we already know what we have in Baertschi.

[KenHouston]

TJ Brodie and Hudler to Florida for the fist overall. Flames take Ekblad and possibly then Bennett with their 4th overall.

[Poe969]

At this point, whatever they ask for should be considered. I'm not sure Burke likes Sven that much so I could see him as PART of the deal.

#4 + Sven
For
#1 + something, maybe a second or third

[moon]

Realistic option they would take: Gio

Fan trade: Our 4th overall and two seconds

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by KenHouston

TJ Brodie and Hudler to Florida for the fist overall. Flames take Ekblad and possibly then Bennett with their 4th overall.

No