Quote:
Originally Posted by Flash Walken
When you trade for prospects you're getting some of the worst return possible because you're either overpaying significantly for a player an organization doesn't want to let go, or you're paying market price for a player they don't mind letting go.
Trading for prospects as the major components of trades is a re-tool, it won't work, it's a bad idea and the Flames shouldn't do that if they want to be competitive.
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Other teams can be desperate or impatient too. Look at Vegas. When they concluded their window was now, they traded away two very good prospects in Suzuki (drafted 13 OA) and Brannstrom (15 OA). Suzuki looks like he'll be a #1/2 C. Brannstrom is likely a top-4 d-man going forward, maybe even top pairing. I think the Habs and Sens are both happy with those deals now.
What is rarely on the table are elite blue chip prospects like Cozens, or top 8 OA picks. They're just too valuable to teams in an era when the draft is the lifeblood of a franchise, and impact players on entry-level contracts are absolute gold.
The Flames should rebuild properly. Acquire lots of 1st and 2nd round picks and rebuild through the draft. But they won't. Edwards is too arrogant or impatient. And ownership won't want a team sitting 26th in the NHL when their corporate box and seasons tickets drives are in high gear two years from now. Treliving's marching orders will be to retool.
Ownership might come to their senses if the Flames miss the playoffs next season. But just as they did during the Iginla era, they'll refuse to recognize the need for a rebuild until they have no other choice.
Treliving will be active this off-season. Gaudreau, Monahan, maybe Hanifin will be gone. Expect deals for 19-21 year old prospects who are a tier down from blue-chippers, late 1st and 2nd round picks, along with reclamation projects who might benefit from a change of scenery. It also wouldn't surprise me if the team blew any of the salary freed up on a big-ticket UFA like Hall or one of the goalies.