[Aarongavey]

I would love to see the Flames do some kind of deal with the Islanders. Considering the Isles have a couple premium players coming up for UFA but still have Tavares and Nelson on pretty good contracts they might be willing to make a trade that gives them a chance at a run this year and for the next couple years.

I would see what type of interest they would have in the following

Giordano, Russell and Backlund

for

Hamonic and Strome.

Isles would have on the backend

Boychuk - Leddy
Giordano - Zidlicky
Russell - Hickey or De Haan

That would be a pretty solid defence, with Tavares, Okposo, Nielsen, Nelson, Bailey, Lee as their top 6 forwards. Backlund would be a pretty good 3rd or 4th line center.

Flames could build around Brodie, Hamilton, Hamonic on the backend, Strome adds another skilled forward in the same age range as Monahan, Gaudreau and Bennett with likely another stud forward piece coming into the system through the draft this year. Throw on the hope that Gillies pans out and the possibility that one of Jankowski, Klimchuk or Poirier turn into top 6 forwards and the Flames have a pretty solid group to build around longterm.