[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

I say stand pat.

This is the first year the Flames look like real contenders, and there will be several years to come with most of our key players locked up long-term. You need to consider the cost of acquisition for a player that will have any significant impact on the lineup, and you also have to carefully consider shifts in chemistry.

The only player I would really want is Stone, but locked up long-term on a deal under $8 million per year, otherwise it will put this team in cap hell.

I don't think the rest of the players would move the needle significantly enough in terms of talent, and it might be a detriment to team chemistry, which is at an all-time high. I'm not all that interested in adding guys like Hayes or Zuccarello, or even depth defensemen/forwards.

This team is exceptionally deep, even at the minor league level with guys like Quine and Lazar available. We are potentially 9 NHL-level defensemen deep if Stone is cleared to play. I see no benefit to getting any depth players.

You also want to see what you have in the current roster for their first real playoff test. Maybe they all shine right away and go deep? We already know what to expect from some of our players from previous playoff experience.

You could argue that goaltending needs to be upgraded, but I think we have two perfectly viable options to start games and win. Most teams can only rely on one to win in the playoffs. Rittich is inexperienced, but talented. Smith is very experienced (including a previous long playoff run), but is getting old. I think Smith still has enough in the gas tank for a playoff run this year, and he seems to be rounding into top form at the right time. Considering the limited goaltending options and the high acquisition cost of any significant goalie, it doesn't make sense to me to take a chance on another goalie when we have two that are capable enough.

I would rather keep thinking long term. At some point we will need young, good, cheap players on ELCs to maintain a competitive window. You have to hold on to top draft picks and high end prospects or rookie NHLers to fill in for older, more expensive veteran players that are no longer part of the core.

If the Flames have a catastrophic playoff failure this year, it would be a genuine surprise. This is the 2nd best team in the league, and they've been continually meeting and surpassing expectations all year. I say let them run. The only team I doubt they could beat in a 7 game series is Tampa Bay. Anyone else they can beat, even the best in the West.

Stand pat and hold onto the future assets.

I agree with all this, but I do have reservations about Frolik who has one assist in his last eight playoff games. So if we can swap him for a Namestnikov type I'd be stoked.

Oh and I want Ferland back but only if we can dump Neal's salary.