You know what? I expected to be disappointed with today and I am actually pleasantly surprised. We have injuries on D and these guys provide us with some extra jam for the playoff push.
Forbort has handled elite competition before and is physical. Big force and great at boxing out the front of the net. Something the Flames have struggled with.
Gustafsson can really help our transition game. We need that puck up the ice quicker and he can do that while also helping the PP.
What Im really intrigued about is how this sets us up for next year. With Gustafsson being a leftie on the right there is a good chance to sign him for a decent price.
I always expected the Flames to make a push for Hall and switch up their defensive mix for next year, but if these guys work out it clears that picture up a bit. I could see the Flames doing:
Sign Forbort - 2.75
Sigh Gustafsson - 3.75
Sign Hall - 9.5
Sign Demelo - 1.8
Re-sign Mangiapane - 2.55
Re-sign Kylington - 1.5
That leaves you the opportunity trade Hanifin. I have no doubt you could move him at the draft and get a first ++ to help restock the cupboard a bit.
Gaudreau - Monahan - Lindholm
Hall - Backlund - Tkachuk
Lucic - Ryan - Mangiapane
Dube - Bennett - Gawdin
Giordano - Andersson
Valimaki - Demelo
Forbort - Gustafsson
Kylington
Not perfect, but something along those lines. Might need to shave some cap by trading Bennett or finding a cheap back up depending on what the cap rises to. Would be better to get some more right shots in the forward group as well, but not bad!
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