Quote:
Originally Posted by ComixZone
That bridge contract is some of Tree’s worst work. Right up there with Neal and Brouwer.
Brutal contract. Brutal incompetence to not clear the cap space to get a proper long term deal done.
|
That bridge contract may just be a saving grace. Tkachuk did not have a great year - no Flame did. With the cap remaining stagnant for the next few years it is very likely that Tkachuk cannot demand a massive bump on what he is currently making and has to settle for something in the neighborhood of $8M max, based on comparables. COVID may help the Flames out here.
After sleeping on this, I lean towards a retool. And When I say a retool, I mean some significant changes. It all depends on whether ownership wants to fire Treliving into the sun. If they do, then its a rebuilt, and it is going to be a very long and painful one. I don't think the fans realize how badly this is going to hurt, seeing we have nothing in the pipeline and are working a losing hand. So if it is a rebuild, this is going to take five years before they ice a product relatively close to what we have. Are you prepared for that? I don't think the owners are, so (unfortunately) Treliving hangs around. So, on to the retool. Here is what I would do.
1) Bring in another hockey executive like they did with Burke. They need another voice in the room, someone with experience and some vision. Someone that actually understands how to interview and hire a competent coach. Someone that can hold firm on not trading away any more of our picks.
2) Begin the purge. Every coach in the system is canned. EVERYONE. I don't care of they were part of the 2004 run, if they were coaching any part of this team, GONE! They have a stink on them that is going to years to wash off.
3) Hire a top NHL coach. There are a few available. I personally lean towards Gallant, because he knows how to get the most out of the talent he has to work with. Let this guy pick his coaching staff. No interference and appointments of guys that were part of the past, unless that coach personally asks for them.
4) Understand that this core requires change. I want consistency in performance. I want to finally develop an identity. So with that in mind...
a) Johnny Gaudreau and Oliver Kylington to Philadelphia for Sean Couturier and Shayne Gostisbehere. If that deal was on the table, circle back and get it done. Johnny has to go. He's a guy that just doesn't elevate his game when the going gets tough and you can't have that in a team leader.
b) Mikael Backlund and Mark Jankowski to Nashville for Victor Arvidsson and Nick Bonino. Backlund has been a constant for too long. Time for a change. Nashville will be looking for a shakeup as well so this may be of interest to them.
c) Sean Monahan and Sam Bennett to Florida for Alex Barkov. I hate dealing away Monahan. I still see him as an important player for this team, but you gotta give to get. I don't care what Bennett did for nine games this post season. What he did during the regular season is unforgivable. Sell high, get some value, and move on.
d) Find some, anyone, to take Milan Lucic off your hands, or find some way to come to terms that he is going to retire. All the positives he brought in the play-in games were washed away with two really bad penalties that gave momentum to the Stars in a game the Flames had under control. Not what you expect from a veteran leader, and when those leadership skills are no longer an excuse for your lack of skill, well you have nothing else to offer. I'd be willing to cough up our 2nd to make Lucic go away, and I hate bleeding picks.
Signings
Taylor Hall - $8M x 6 years.
Tyson Barrie - $3.5M x 5 years.
Braden Holtby - $3.5M x 1 year.
Hall ($8M)-Barkov ($5.9)-Arvidsson ($4.25)
Tkachuk ($7M)-Couturier ($4.33)-Lindholm ($4.85)
Dube ($1.5)-Bonino ($4.1)-Mangiapane ($2M)
Rieder ($.800)-Ryan ($3.125)-Gawdin ($.770)
13th forward ($1.00)
Hanafin ($4.95)-Andersson ($4.55)
Giordano ($6.75)-Barrie ($3.5)
Valimaki ($.895)-Gustafsson ($2M)
Mackey/Yelesin ($.775)
Holtby ($3.5)
Rittich ($2.5)
$79.715 - including dead cap space.
This is also trying to plan ahead and make some room for incoming players.
As Bonino and Ryan expire we hopefully see Pelletier step up and take a spot. Same with some of the other minor leaguers (Ruzicka, Matthews, Tuuola, Philip, etc. This is no easy task, but the very condition the league finds itself may provide opportunity for the Flames to strike and make it work.