[Willi Plett]

Originally Posted by Pierre "Monster" McGuire

Might've already been mentioned, but with the way the Flames are looking right now, next year's 1st rounder is going to be very valuable.

So here's my proposal:

To CGY:

- Tampa Bay's 3rd overall pick

To TB:

- Calgary's 2014 1st round pick
- Either the Blues or Penguins pick

Why Tampa may consider this trade:

Tampa is fairly deep in prospects. They have Nemestikov, Tanner Richard, Connelly, JT Brown, Sustr, Barberio, Koekkoek, Vasilevski. Pretty decent pool of prospects right there. Certainly healthier than the Flames' current cupboard. They're not starving for prospects.

While taking Calgary's 2014 pick is a bit of a risk because in today's NHL, teams can go from crap to bubble playoff teams (Columbus), I think it could be a very enticing risk to take for Yzerman as it could turn out to be a top 3. Plus, he picks up an extra first rounder in the 18-23 range.

The reason this trade works for Calgary are obvious. The Flames draft a franchise player in the top 3 this year and retain their #6 pick who could also turn out to be a star. As well, the Flames retain either their Pens or Blues pick.

Looking through recent history at what it takes to move up (link here and here) we can assume that to move into the top 3 it will take a top 10 pick (i.e, Flames 2014 pick) and a high second rounder and/or more (I was generous and said either the Pens or Blues pick).

This is a good, fair deal IMO. If it takes our third rounder to get it done, then so it does. It's more than worth it for a Seth Jones, Nathan MacKinnon, or Jonathan Drouin.

I think this is the right idea. A trade with Tampa is much more feasible than with Florida and you still have one of Drouin, Mackinnon and Barkov to pick from.

There was some speculation at the end of the season (sorry I forget what media) that Tampa would be willing to trade down for immediate roster improvement. I actually think a combination of picks (almost certainly including the 6th) and veterans or young prospects might get it done. They also have some cap issues so a Glencross contract or even maybe a Tanguay contract might be attractive. The Flames could even eat some salary in a deal to get it done. Heck you want Cammy at $1M - here you go LOL.

I don't know what it would take but the assets I would try very hard not to part with are Brodie, Baertchi, Gio, and Backlund.

If Tampa wants to ice a better lineup now I think we have some interesting options.