Quote:
Originally Posted by gunnner
this board is loaded with short term thinkers. let the team show organic growth. Seemed to me like Johnny was a point game player when Ferland joined that line. Now everyone has Ferland on the 4th line next year. Frick, Backlund would have been sent packing to the KHL by 25 with the current mentality. Let the younger players play significant roles and improve, instead of signing TJ Oshie to a crimpling deal that may or may not make the team better, and could cost you a young player due to a future cap crunch.
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I agree big no to Oshie who will command a Lucic style extension to get signed and probably more from a Canadian team. The concern I have is patience is not something we can really have anymore. Most of our top players are on their big money deals. 3 years left and Brodie needs a deal, then Hamilton the next year, then Gaudreau, then Monahan (not to mention Bennett's long term deal post bridge and Tlachuks likely big deal out of entry level). It is going to be hard enough to keep the team together as is. They can't add a long term piece via free agency but also need to improve the team. There is a good chance the team improves next year all things being equal because they are not learning a new system and everyone is more comfortable. The young players on the roster can still get better as well but is that enough to really do damage?
Ferland has not proven even remotely that he is a first liner. A hot month with Johnny and Monahan was not sustained through the end of the season and playoffs. Stone looked good at first with Brodie but that pairing showed signs of slowing down as the season wore on. Elliott had a great run in the second half but melted down in the playoffs.
I personally do not think the Flames are good enough on the top line, second pairing, and starting goalie to be anymore than a first or second round playoff out. I hope Treliving is working on improving those areas as this team has the pieces beyond that to challenge for the division and conference with some tweaks