BT GM. Super hard working and on the phones with all GMs daily. Learning on the job. Wont make same mistakes over again. Only reason I bother getting so emotionally invested in this disappointing team.
New coaching staff. Someone who would instill confidence in this team when they give up a goal rather than pure panic! This team is emotionally very fragile. Hartley was so much better at this one thing. Too bad not much else. Quenneville intriguing.
One winger via trade (Stone) or UFA for Backlund/Frolik line.
Keep 1st line as is for a bit longer. Ferland got his 20 goal bonus and then sat back so might not be the long term answer. Still not sold on him for 1st line long term but can give it one more chance. Bennett can step in if Ferland falters.
3M line dismantled. Tkachuk moved to Bennett/Jankowski for new 2nd line.
Backlund/Frolik now our shutdown 3rd line which needs a new LW or RW. Perfect to groom someone like Klimchuk or Lazar since Backlund can make anyone look good there. Wonder if Dube could work there. He looked so good in preseason. Backlund could teach him alot.
Brouwer traded with 50-75% retained salary to anyone. Better than 4 years of AAV on the books with buyout. So painful to waste a roster spot on him.
Versteeg only gets a PTO to see if still has it. 2nd PP could still use him.
Youth movement for 4th line anchored by Shore or Lazar at center. One or two of Mangiapane, Dube, Gawdin, Hathaway, Foo rotate in and out until we find the energy line that can contribute goals once and awhile!
Andersson replaces Stone. Better number 7 than Bartkowski as UFA to sit in the press box most of time. Fox becomes PP specialist and top right shot Dman in Stockton. Valimaki and Kylington continue to develop in Stockton.
Smith starts. Gillies and Rittich battle it out for backup role. Parsons and one of Gillies/Rittich in Stockton.
Most importantly do not tinker with that 1st PP now that Hamilton and Tkachuk on it. It is so much better than any grouping I have seen with Flames. Give that group time to gel.
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