FWIW, if the Flames don't end up trading him by the deadline, just give him a break. He is not getting better at the moment 'working through it'.
I am not convinced it is an age thing. To me, it seems more a mental thing. Give him a week off and have him just 'unwind' and be with his newborn. Bring him back in for the remainder of the season rotating with MacDonald. See how he is doing. See how he is next season.
Not sure he is going to get traded based on his play this year (which outside of 2-3 games, hasn't been good at all). His trade value is probably very low, so I don't really care if the Flames keep him and see if he bounces back next season and they are able to trade him for more, or he doesn't and just rides out the year and retires. Flames are not competing anyways next year, so I wouldn't mind either scenario.
I do think that for his sake, he gets traded. I think a change of scenery and a team that will protect him more will help him bounce back, but that is just pure speculation on my part. I think it is mental more than physical with him now, but let's see what happens.
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