Quote:
Originally Posted by Enoch Root
Most of these arguments against acquiring Hall are mental gymnastics, in an attempt to justify a desired view of a rebuild. However, a rebuild is almost certainly not on the table for this team (I think it is very safe to assume that). That being the case, trading for Hall's rights makes a lot of sense.
1) the point of acquiring the rights to negotiate early is precisely to get him a little cheaper and save some cap room. If you wait until free agency, you don't get the opportunity to present your plan, you just participate in a bidding war. But with time to negotiate, you present your vision, you explain what the team is planning to do with the roster, how and why he fits, and you explain why a more team-favourable deal makes sense (i.e. to help build a winner). It's essentially the same as a team re-signing their own UFA prior to them testing the market - they almost invariably sign for less than they would likely sign for on July 1st.
2) Getting it done before the draft and before free agency gives them WAY more flexibility. They would then enter the off-season with that asset in place, allowing them to take the next steps in their plan. Trying to argue that it makes Gaudreau less valuable is pretty silly (unless he had an NTC that limited the number of teams). You would still have 2 drafts, 2 free agency seasons, and two trade deadlines with which to make a deal. And Gaudreau is a huge asset at his cap hit.
3) If you don't make another trade before next season, no problem: you move Tkachuk to the right side where he is very comfortable, and you don't re-sign Brodie. The D is weaker, but the top 6 is really good. And if that is the worst case scenario, it gives you the opportunity to better assess your young defensemen.
4) Giving up a pick sucks (only happens if he signs of course), but we would then have him on the roster, allowing us to move other assets and (presumably) improve our pick/prospect allotment.
Adding a major asset without giving up assets does not put you in a weaker position, it puts you in a stronger position. The only downside is cap room, but you have (more) options on that front.
Really, the only argument against it is that you want a full rebuild. And while I would personally welcome that, I think it is a non-starter for this franchise.
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Have you looked at the Flames cap situation for next season?
Can you explain to me how the Flames can add an 8 million dollar winger and still ice a full lineup?
The Flames have 17 million in Cap space to sign 11 players. If they add Hall at 8 million that means they have 9 million to sign 10 players.
How do the Flames simultaneously add Taylor Hall and keep Gaudreau and still sign 10 necessary players for more than league minimum?
It's lot more difficult than saying "oh just don't sign brodie".