Quote:
Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe
I am not sure that Treliving moves one of his top 4 D. I think it is more likely that Stone moves, and they graduate one of the guys on the farm (most likely Andersson due to the R/L thing).
The cap isn't tied down too much on D. It isn't like the first year of Brent Sutter where there was simply too high of a cap percentage on defence, and it impacted the forwards.
Flames still have a lot of trade chips on the farm/system. Gillies and Rittich are increasing in value, and you still have Parsons. Granted, goalies are usually not worth much, but they still add value in a package.
Then you have Valimaki, Fox, Kylington and Andersson. For a rebuilding team (Ottawa, I am looking at you), I think they can offer a very competitive package for someone like Hoffman. I have no idea what their goaltending depth is (or even what their needs are), but something around:
Stone (I do think that Ottawa would be the team that would most value Stone, as they will need defence and having him could help with any leverage on his brother's re-signing)
One of the D prospects
One of the goalie prospects (hopefully not Parsons)
That helps Ottawa now and in the future. Maybe they will need to add something else. Who knows. For a rebuilding team, that's some good assets. Maybe there is a team out there that needs some cap relief, and gaining a blue-chip prospect and an NHL-ready goalie (backup with starter potential) + no salary coming back will be enough to get a 20-30 goal scoring RHS RW.
I don't think you need to trade a Brodie, Hamonic or Hamilton to shore up the RW spot. You can keep your top 4 D, add a strong RW presence to the lineup, and hopefully it transforms the team a bit. You still have to somewhat gamble that the Jankowski line produces. That's the biggest issue with the team right now. I would keep Ferland on that top line next season (his production warrants it), and use that new RW to help generate offence from the Bennett/Jankowski pairing.
I think the Goaltending is strong.
I think defensively this team is strong (if they retain all top 4)
I think the top line is as good as any in the league.
I think that the 'shut-down' line is rather elite
The first time you reach an 'iffy' is that third line (which should be the second line). Make that line into a bona fide 2nd line, and I think the Flames will be a tough team to beat.
The 4th line isn't as important. You can always find cheap players every off-season, and it is just a matter of figuring it out. I am guessing the 4th line C spot will be Shore's to lose. Lazar has been fine in that role. Hathaway is fine in that role. They are quick and they are physical. I am ok with them doing nothing there (though I say this before watching how Shore fits).
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Stone is recently signed UFA. Almost by definition he is getting paid too much. There is a silver of difference between Ian Cole and Stone with Cole getting the edge as he played a regular role in winning 2 SC.
Cole was worth a 3rd round pick and a second level prospect in the seller's market at the trading deadline.
If someone wants a Cole/Stone kind of #5 D-man in the off season pretty sure the first 3.5x3 would get you Cole for no assets. What would that make Stone's value?
How many teams have such a weak prospect pool that they need to pay 3.5 x3 for a #5.