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Calgary4LIfe · 02-08-2019, 09:08 PM

I would honestly rather keep Lazar. He is fast, gritty, defensively responsible and his development has been completely stalled from entering the NHL too early. I am really curious how Lazar would do if called up to the Flames and given a decent look. I also believe his trade value is next to zero - you aren't going to get anything back other than another potentially failed prospect, or at the very best, someone slightly younger who could use a 'change of scenery'. There is just little point in any trade proposals that involve Lazar with him having that negligible of value, and he could prove to be a useful depth player for the Flames for the playoffs if injuries happen.

Panarin I would love, but that is going to be a pricey add for what would probably (not assuredly, but most probably) be just a rental. Him playing with Tkachuk and Backlund might be reminiscent of Tkacuk's time in London playing with Dvorak and Marner. That's pretty tempting, as essentially the Flames would have 2 1st lines.

Stone is still my 'dream' target. Big, playmaking, elite defensively winger that can make the already dominant-possession line even more dominant, while increasing scoring and making match-ups for the other team a nightmare. Would be a nightmare for Treliving to find a way to re-sign here, but there is that potential.

Zuccarello would be a really great fit on the team, and would be cheaper to acquire. He is definitely high on my list, but again I think he would come in just as a rental. He is 31 right now making 4.5 million on an expiring contract. I wonder what his contract demands would be. I would rather not give term to a guy who is already past the age of 30.

Hayes would be the superior target from the Rangers, but his cost is going to be high. I also think he is going to look for a bump from his 5.175 contract. He is only 26 and fits in well with the age of this team, however. I just think that his acquisition cost will be too prohibitive, especially considering that at age 26, one can reasonably expect that the Rangers would just keep him around for the rebuild if their price isn't met.

The talk about Kovalchuk vs Neal is moot. To replace Neal with Kovalchuk, Treliving would have to find another team to take Neal. Why? Trading your UFA signing who came to your team 'wanting to win', while also reportedly being a really classy player in the dressing room, especially sending him to the last place team in the league... that's a pretty terrible thing to do. I worry about Neal. I am wondering if Neal will ever come close to earning his contract. I see a guy who is trying out there. Some may point to his shooting percentage and hoping that the difference is no more than just 'bad luck' or 'adjusting to a new team'. I see a guy who isn't putting himself in areas that he should be getting to, or taking too long to get his shot off when he does. Kovalchuk SHOULD produce on the Flames (though there is no guarantee), but you also have to know Kovalchuk and figure out if he is a positive locker room presence. You don't want to disrupt the chemistry on the team, and having a disruptive presence can do just that.

Toffoli would be a great add, but I think LA would want too much for him, especially with being a divisional rival. Still, he is only 26, plays center and shoots right - convert him to RW on the Backlund line, and you COULD have a strong 1B line. Keep him at center, and play him in-between Bennett and whomever on the RW. That also has great potential. Bonus is that he shouldn't disrupt the room either, as he and Monahan are buddies. 4.6 million this year and signed for next year.

Nyquist would be a great addition for the 2nd or third line. Good two-way player. He is on an expiring contract, and he shouldn't be too pricey to acquire. However, he is 29 already. Is he going to be looking for term on any re-signing? I would rather not re-sign a player who will already be 30 to a 5+ year extension.

Mantha is not rumoured to be out there, but I would take a look there. Huge with skill and skating ability. He has zero playoff experience in the NHL, but he did lead his AHL squad in points. Don't think Detroit is going to be selling him, but can't hurt to ask. Before he suits up for the Flames though, he has to lay down and have Hamonic pound him for a full minute first.

Brouwer would be... ok, I can't keep a straight face on this one. haha

Hoffman would be a good add, but you can be sure he is going to go for a much higher price than what Florida acquired him for. There is no issue with Hoffman - and he even got along with Erik Karlsson and talked to him during that ruckus there. Still, you do have to wonder about the girlfriend and how the other wives and girlfriends would feel. Strange to have to think of that, but she seemed to be generally disliked by the wives overall in Ottawa, whether or not (and seems like not) she was involved in any of the purported social media stupidity. A shade under 5.2 million through next year, so he fits in with the salary structure nicely, and is only 28.

Duchene might be a good add - he certainly puts up points and he is an incredible skater. I just wonder about how he would fit in the room. IIRC, he was 'part of the problem' in Colorado, and, IF IIRC, he was also one of the 'taxi guys' in Ottawa. For me, that makes me a bit leery about adding him to that room. He is also going to be an expensive re-sign. Is he really worth what he is asking? I don't know.

Dzingel would be a great depth add, but I bet the cost will surprise people. What I like about him is how well and consistently he has developed. Every year he has improved consistently. He is 26 right now, and is a good testament to how patience pays off. Would love to snag him and use him as a third line center. 1.8 million this year, UFA next. 52 games, 20 goals, 20 assists. He hit 23 goals and 18 assist last season, so he is definitely not a 'one hit wonder'. He needs to be talked about more, but I guess that will come when the Sens figure out what to do with Duchene and/or Stone.

From Philly, I am really only looking at Couturier. There were rumours earlier that Philly was willing to take a look at trading him. If those rumours were true, he is my 2nd overall trade target. He is big, can skate, and is one of the NHL's premier 2-way players. Flames would instantly have 2 second lines that are both capable of shutting down opposing teams' top lines. Bennett I bet would look great next to him. I would be willing to move this year's first, plus next year's first... and would even think about adding to that. I think he is that good. So good, I am going to stop now and do some daydreaming.

02-08-2019, 09:08 PM	#9306
Calgary4LIfe Franchise Player Join Date: Jun 2010 Exp:	I would honestly rather keep Lazar. He is fast, gritty, defensively responsible and his development has been completely stalled from entering the NHL too early. I am really curious how Lazar would do if called up to the Flames and given a decent look. I also believe his trade value is next to zero - you aren't going to get anything back other than another potentially failed prospect, or at the very best, someone slightly younger who could use a 'change of scenery'. There is just little point in any trade proposals that involve Lazar with him having that negligible of value, and he could prove to be a useful depth player for the Flames for the playoffs if injuries happen. Panarin I would love, but that is going to be a pricey add for what would probably (not assuredly, but most probably) be just a rental. Him playing with Tkachuk and Backlund might be reminiscent of Tkacuk's time in London playing with Dvorak and Marner. That's pretty tempting, as essentially the Flames would have 2 1st lines. Stone is still my 'dream' target. Big, playmaking, elite defensively winger that can make the already dominant-possession line even more dominant, while increasing scoring and making match-ups for the other team a nightmare. Would be a nightmare for Treliving to find a way to re-sign here, but there is that potential. Zuccarello would be a really great fit on the team, and would be cheaper to acquire. He is definitely high on my list, but again I think he would come in just as a rental. He is 31 right now making 4.5 million on an expiring contract. I wonder what his contract demands would be. I would rather not give term to a guy who is already past the age of 30. Hayes would be the superior target from the Rangers, but his cost is going to be high. I also think he is going to look for a bump from his 5.175 contract. He is only 26 and fits in well with the age of this team, however. I just think that his acquisition cost will be too prohibitive, especially considering that at age 26, one can reasonably expect that the Rangers would just keep him around for the rebuild if their price isn't met. The talk about Kovalchuk vs Neal is moot. To replace Neal with Kovalchuk, Treliving would have to find another team to take Neal. Why? Trading your UFA signing who came to your team 'wanting to win', while also reportedly being a really classy player in the dressing room, especially sending him to the last place team in the league... that's a pretty terrible thing to do. I worry about Neal. I am wondering if Neal will ever come close to earning his contract. I see a guy who is trying out there. Some may point to his shooting percentage and hoping that the difference is no more than just 'bad luck' or 'adjusting to a new team'. I see a guy who isn't putting himself in areas that he should be getting to, or taking too long to get his shot off when he does. Kovalchuk SHOULD produce on the Flames (though there is no guarantee), but you also have to know Kovalchuk and figure out if he is a positive locker room presence. You don't want to disrupt the chemistry on the team, and having a disruptive presence can do just that. Toffoli would be a great add, but I think LA would want too much for him, especially with being a divisional rival. Still, he is only 26, plays center and shoots right - convert him to RW on the Backlund line, and you COULD have a strong 1B line. Keep him at center, and play him in-between Bennett and whomever on the RW. That also has great potential. Bonus is that he shouldn't disrupt the room either, as he and Monahan are buddies. 4.6 million this year and signed for next year. Nyquist would be a great addition for the 2nd or third line. Good two-way player. He is on an expiring contract, and he shouldn't be too pricey to acquire. However, he is 29 already. Is he going to be looking for term on any re-signing? I would rather not re-sign a player who will already be 30 to a 5+ year extension. Mantha is not rumoured to be out there, but I would take a look there. Huge with skill and skating ability. He has zero playoff experience in the NHL, but he did lead his AHL squad in points. Don't think Detroit is going to be selling him, but can't hurt to ask. Before he suits up for the Flames though, he has to lay down and have Hamonic pound him for a full minute first. Brouwer would be... ok, I can't keep a straight face on this one. haha Hoffman would be a good add, but you can be sure he is going to go for a much higher price than what Florida acquired him for. There is no issue with Hoffman - and he even got along with Erik Karlsson and talked to him during that ruckus there. Still, you do have to wonder about the girlfriend and how the other wives and girlfriends would feel. Strange to have to think of that, but she seemed to be generally disliked by the wives overall in Ottawa, whether or not (and seems like not) she was involved in any of the purported social media stupidity. A shade under 5.2 million through next year, so he fits in with the salary structure nicely, and is only 28. Duchene might be a good add - he certainly puts up points and he is an incredible skater. I just wonder about how he would fit in the room. IIRC, he was 'part of the problem' in Colorado, and, IF IIRC, he was also one of the 'taxi guys' in Ottawa. For me, that makes me a bit leery about adding him to that room. He is also going to be an expensive re-sign. Is he really worth what he is asking? I don't know. Dzingel would be a great depth add, but I bet the cost will surprise people. What I like about him is how well and consistently he has developed. Every year he has improved consistently. He is 26 right now, and is a good testament to how patience pays off. Would love to snag him and use him as a third line center. 1.8 million this year, UFA next. 52 games, 20 goals, 20 assists. He hit 23 goals and 18 assist last season, so he is definitely not a 'one hit wonder'. He needs to be talked about more, but I guess that will come when the Sens figure out what to do with Duchene and/or Stone. From Philly, I am really only looking at Couturier. There were rumours earlier that Philly was willing to take a look at trading him. If those rumours were true, he is my 2nd overall trade target. He is big, can skate, and is one of the NHL's premier 2-way players. Flames would instantly have 2 second lines that are both capable of shutting down opposing teams' top lines. Bennett I bet would look great next to him. I would be willing to move this year's first, plus next year's first... and would even think about adding to that. I think he is that good. So good, I am going to stop now and do some daydreaming.