Quote:
Originally Posted by TheScorpion
Here's the thing that you're fundamentally missing
He generates offense in a season that doesn't really matter very much. This playoff has shown that
When it comes to the playoffs, Gaudreau is about as close to useless as you can get from a star. He is almost a complete non-factor. His one playoff point since 2015 is a secondary assist in a game the Flames lost
If you trade Gaudreau (and I think they should consider it), well, maybe it's time they get a crack at the lottery. It's not exactly something to sniff at. Literally every other team who's been around for more than two years has participated in the lottery! The Flames have never had the opportunity to select from that high-end pool of upper-echelon, top-of-the-board talent. They've always had to count on the underdogs coming through.
Not that I'm advocating for tanking as a first choice. I think they can give Gaudreau another crack at it. But if they trade him, it shouldn't be necessarily to tank. Just get another star who cares. Get another centre. Play Tkachuk on the first line with this dynamic centre and Lindholm on the right side.
Tkachuk - star centre acquired for JG - Lindholm
Bennett - Monahan - new right winger (Mangiapane?)
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Most teams don't trade a 1C for a winger though, so who do you expect to get? You're realistically looking at a high-end 2C, similar to Monahan, if you trade Gaudreau after a disappointing playoffs. Which is why you need to keep him...
And we're in big trouble if we enter next season with Bennett and Mangiapane pencilled in on our 2nd line...