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Old 06-21-2020, 11:55 AM   #197
TheScorpion
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In any trade you make involving Gaudreau, he's going to be the best player involved. That's just the reality of it, IMO.

But Bjorkstrand is very Lindholm-esque in terms of his on-ice impact. He had a breakout year this year, but not due to an inflated shooting percentage -- with Atkinson being injured and Panarin having left, his ATOI jumped from 12:20 last year to 17:56 this year.

He shined with increased opportunity. But there's still uncertainty there in terms of, "can he do it again." The Flames capitalized on the uncertainty surrounding Lindholm and they'd be well-served to capitalize here.

With Bjorkstrand, he's signed for one more year and then he becomes an RFA entering his age-26 season. (He just turned 25). If you can lock him up for 7 years, you get him for 8 years including the final year of his current contract.

One of the big things with the Dougie Hamilton trade was cost-certainty. They traded 3 years of Dougie, 1 year of Ferland, and 0 years of Fox for 6 years each of Hanifin and Lindholm. With Bjorkstrand and Anderson, the Flames have an opportunity to do something similar. They're both still firmly entrenched in RFA status. They're both big right-shot right-wingers, the Flames' biggest area of need.

Trading Gaudreau for Bjorkstrand, Anderson, and two top prospects directly addresses the Flames' biggest area of need up front. It gives them the cap space to sign Taylor Hall. In Bjorkstrand, it gives them a guy on the verge of breaking out into a star who is a tremendously impactful player for Columbus whenever he's on the ice and who has thrived with increased opportunity.

With Bjorkstrand on the ice, Columbus jumps up from 2.34 expected goals/60 to 2.86. Defensively, they go from allowing 2.36 expected goals/60 to a sparkling 1.95. Those are Lindholm numbers. In fact, they're much better than Lindholm's numbers. He's a star in the making.

He'd be my #1 target.

Edit: this article spells out a lot of the reasons why I'd be all over Bjorkstrand. 1stohiobattery.com/columbus-blue-jackets-analysis/2020/05/4827/bjorkstrand-has-chance-to-shine-on-national-stage-vs-maple-leafs
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Last edited by TheScorpion; 06-21-2020 at 12:21 PM.
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