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Calgary4LIfe · 02-27-2020, 11:17 AM

I understand that signing Hall and trading Gaudreau is 'smart asset management'. I don't think there is a person here that will disagree with that statement.

However, I also look at it this way:

1) Teams that trade the best player away usually find the returns have been underwhelming, especially looking back over the seasons.
2) To win the Stanley Cup, depth is important. Know what else is important? Having more elite-level players.

Take a look at that 1988-89 Flames roster. How many elite players did they have? Heck, look at some depth guys on that team like Otto - he was an elite-level defensive centre. There was probably nobody better in the NHL at his job than he was. Incredible depth on D. Most importantly, they had game-breakers - Nieuwendyk, Roberts, Gilmour, Mullen, Loob... They had strong depth guys too - guys like Patterson (what a great 2-way player he was). Anyway, I digress. The point is that good teams have the most best players possible, not the most 'decent players'.

Gaudreau is not only an elite-level talent, but he is on a sweet-heart deal for the next two seasons after this. Flames decided to pay James Neal 1 million less than Gaudreau. That's a problem. Gaudreau having a 'tough year' is still a really good producer.

I think Hall could be a really good producer. I don't think he is nearly as good defensively, nor is he nearly as good at making players around him better. However, he can produce and he normally produces at a high enough clip (when he is healthy) that one can consider him as an elite-level talent.

Wouldn't it be easier to win a cup WITH Gaudreau and Hall rather than win with Hall and depth? That's the point I am making.

I understand asset management. Heck, I think Calgary is going to take a HUGE loss this off-season with Brodie walking away for nothing - Flames are going to miss him badly on the ice, and they took a big hit asset-wise as well.

I have always thought a team needs to have as many 'game-breakers' as possible. As many elite-level talents that fit within the structure and playstyle as possible. The '88-89 Flames had that in spades, plus solid depth.

Look around the NHL at the top teams and figure out how many of them have more top-end talent than the Flames.

I think the Flames should try to add to the core (and get a new coach), then sign Hall and trade Gaudreau for what is most assuredly going to be depth, or maybe a Brodie replacement (dammit!).

Hopefully it all works out and Gaudreau gets traded for a fantastic return, and the players REALLY contribute and the Flames win the cup. I just see that USUALLY the returns on an elite-level (or top end player) are underwhelming, especially over the years when you look back on it with hindsight. For instance, I bet that Nashville doesn't do the Jones trade over. Chiarrelli is an idiot and Brad wouldn't make the same mistake with Seguin, so I won't point that out as an obvious one... but it seems that when one team gives up a top-end player, they don't usually make their team better.

Gaudreau is a top-end player, and his salary is so team friendly right now. That's not what is hurting the Flames. What is hurting the Flames is over-priced depth and dead cap space on buyouts. Flames need to stop making these mistakes, and they should be trying to add elite-level talent gamebreakers to this team. I am no fan of Hall, but he is that type of player, and if the Flames are getting him for free as a UFA, then add him to the good pile of players while trying to reduce from the poor pile of players.

02-27-2020, 11:17 AM	#56
Calgary4LIfe Franchise Player Join Date: Jun 2010 Exp:	I understand that signing Hall and trading Gaudreau is 'smart asset management'. I don't think there is a person here that will disagree with that statement. However, I also look at it this way: 1) Teams that trade the best player away *usually* find the returns have been underwhelming, especially looking back over the seasons. 2) To win the Stanley Cup, depth is important. Know what else is important? Having more elite-level players. Take a look at that 1988-89 Flames roster. How many elite players did they have? Heck, look at some depth guys on that team like Otto - he was an elite-level defensive centre. There was probably nobody better in the NHL at his job than he was. Incredible depth on D. Most importantly, they had game-breakers - Nieuwendyk, Roberts, Gilmour, Mullen, Loob... They had strong depth guys too - guys like Patterson (what a great 2-way player he was). Anyway, I digress. The point is that good teams have the most best players possible, not the most 'decent players'. Gaudreau is not only an elite-level talent, but he is on a sweet-heart deal for the next two seasons after this. Flames decided to pay James Neal 1 million less than Gaudreau. That's a problem. Gaudreau having a 'tough year' is still a really good producer. I think Hall could be a really good producer. I don't think he is nearly as good defensively, nor is he nearly as good at making players around him better. However, he can produce and he normally produces at a high enough clip (when he is healthy) that one can consider him as an elite-level talent. Wouldn't it be easier to win a cup WITH Gaudreau and Hall rather than win with Hall and depth? That's the point I am making. I understand asset management. Heck, I think Calgary is going to take a HUGE loss this off-season with Brodie walking away for nothing - Flames are going to miss him badly on the ice, and they took a big hit asset-wise as well. I have always thought a team needs to have as many 'game-breakers' as possible. As many elite-level talents that fit within the structure and playstyle as possible. The '88-89 Flames had that in spades, plus solid depth. Look around the NHL at the top teams and figure out how many of them have more top-end talent than the Flames. I think the Flames should try to add to the core (and get a new coach), then sign Hall and trade Gaudreau for what is most assuredly going to be depth, or maybe a Brodie replacement (dammit!). Hopefully it all works out and Gaudreau gets traded for a fantastic return, and the players REALLY contribute and the Flames win the cup. I just see that USUALLY the returns on an elite-level (or top end player) are underwhelming, especially over the years when you look back on it with hindsight. For instance, I bet that Nashville doesn't do the Jones trade over. Chiarrelli is an idiot and Brad wouldn't make the same mistake with Seguin, so I won't point that out as an obvious one... but it seems that when one team gives up a top-end player, they don't usually make their team better. Gaudreau is a top-end player, and his salary is so team friendly right now. That's not what is hurting the Flames. What is hurting the Flames is over-priced depth and dead cap space on buyouts. Flames need to stop making these mistakes, and they should be trying to add elite-level talent gamebreakers to this team. I am no fan of Hall, but he is that type of player, and if the Flames are getting him for free as a UFA, then add him to the good pile of players while trying to reduce from the poor pile of players.