Quote:
Originally Posted by dissentowner
LOL. Yes, we should completely end up doing that so we can end up Oiler bad. What a brutal idea.
|
Depending on what you get back with trading pretty much every core player except for Tkachuk, the Flames have a chance for a nice quick retool that can shape them up well to be a strong team for many years. Those players are all value friendly, which means they can yield good returns. It wouldn't be like when the Flames traded Iginla from a position of no leverage really. (Age, prime years past, and contract expiring)
You SHOULD be able to get good picks and prospects from Gaudreau and Monahan, and Gio should bring in a good asset pick up as well. Those three alone demand a high price. Mix in Brodie, Hamonic, and Backlund, and all the years of giving away draft picks, and not having any forward prospects on tap shouldn't be the case anymore. You're looking at at least 4-6 early round picks, and 4-6 prospects; some of whom should be blue-chip.
The remainder of the roster would place more importance on Tkachuk, Lindholm, Bennett, Dube, Maginpanie, and the young D core to hold the forth while the youth brought in develops. But with free agency pickups due to the freed up cap space, the Flames could still ice a lineup that could contend for making the playoffs. So it wouldn't be
Oilers bad. (Not that the Flames and Oilers are all that different honestly in end of the season results)
At least if they make it then, they would get experience for a very young, and most importantly, developing core/roster. It's different from now since the two biggest core players aren't really in that developing stage anymore. Gaudreau may have a little bit more improvement to gain depending on how he treats his fitness, but Monahan I feel has peaked.
Some may think 'blowing it up' after the season they had is crazy talk, but the more I think about it, the more it seems like a good idea if the roster can't be improved to address the needs this off season. If Johnny can't get pressure taken off from him by a new big impact addition, then the Flames are likely going to be treading water, and not making any playoff gains anytime soon. It would be better in getting ahead of this, and look towards the future to bring success quicker, rather than later. They have an opportunity they can take advantage of if they want to right now.