[Coach]

I think it's pretty obvious that the biggest hole on this team is a consistent RW to play on the 2nd line. Frolik has lost a step it seems, and I don't think Mangi is quite that player. Are there other potential answers on the farm? Can Dube fill that spot?

Who are the realistic targets available?

Hall would be ideal, but his acquisition cost, plus the cap it would cost to keep him and make the acquisition cost worth it, would be crazy.

Maybe Kreider can get pulled out of NYC? Another UFA, but wouldn't be as expensive to retain as Hall. NY could use some veteran defensive help.

Foligno might be a decent target out of Columbus who could use some backend experience. And it might not cost enough to make it necessary to keeping him at the end of his contract.

Could the Zucker deal be revisited? I'm sure it's still an ongoing negotiation, but Frolik's value has dropped since then.

Saad? Year 5 of 6 of his contract and Chicago is in perpetual cap hell, it'll be tough to retain him. Brodie could be a valuable upgrade for them on D.

Carter? His salary isn't terrible to absorb and LA needs to rebuild. He's got 2 years left and is past his prime, but I think he could still get it done with either of our top 2 lines. He's also the only player on this list that's actually right-handed.

Another question is what are we willing to pay? Or what are we willing to lose off the roster/asset list in order to fill this gap and possibly get this team to championship calibre? I would be okay with losing a 1st, Brodie/Hamonic (preferably Brodie IMO, although he's been one of my favorite Flames in his time here), some of our 2nd tier prospects like Dube, Phillips, or Parsons. Obviously not all of them, but if some combo of those left for someone who could solidify that spot for the rest of our window that would be fine by me.