Originally Posted by New Era
I agree that change has to be made. I will be extremely disenchanted of this team comes back with the same core roster and coaching staff. My thoughts on what needs to be done, and why.
1. Bring in another senior hockey guy in Burke's old position. Another set of eyes and someone with some vision.
2. Put Treliving on notice and on a short leash. "The process" has to happen a lot quicker and more effectively.
3. Hire a good coach with a proven track record. No more of this cutting corners and thinking you're the smartest guy in the room by bringing in a huy with "new ideas" or "a believer in analytics." Get a guy that has a track record of getting the most out of his players and can adapt. Get a coach who believe in playing the up tempo transition game. There are a number of candidates out there, so get it done.
4. Find a team identity. I don't think this team has had one since 2004. The Flames need to be up tempo and relentless in their fore check to be successful in the league, so find a coach and players who have the ability to make that happen. That needs to be the identity.
5. Address the core. Recognize who your players are going forward and start making moves to support that core. Personally, I am a massive Johnny Hockey fan. I have not been this attached to a player since Loob wore the Flaming C. But I recognize that Johnny disappears in big games, especially when the physicality ratchets up. I've seen too much of it, and as a result, I believe he has to go. The team needs to get bigger and tougher to play against, and Gaudreau is the antithesis of that belief. So he has to be the core player that departs. I also believe he has the most value of any player on the Flames roster and will bring a return that improves the team now and in the long term.
6. Understand the intent of free agency is to create greater depth in an area allowing you to make a deal to plug holes that are so obvious. If Taylor Hall is really willing to sign here, and Treliving should have an idea by now, then trade for his rights and get the deal done. That will allow you to move one of our existing LWs to fill other holes. If this is not the case, then the team has to be willing to be more flexible and target other players that fill holes but still allow you to make a deal of that core player. I still think that you can sign Toffoli and still be able to make the other deals happen.
7. Trade Gaudreau for a young up and coming center as the center piece, a good young defender that could play in the top four, and then be willing to take on salary to fill other gaps. The player I keep coming back to is Morgan Frost, but I understand the attraction of Dylan Cozens. I prefer Frost over Cozens because Frost has a more complete game, is more a playmaker, and provides a very different look that Cozens does. Cozens reminds me so much of Monahan when he played for Ottawa. That's a good thing, but a bad thing at the same time. I think this team is too similar from line to line, which makes it easy to defend against. I would ultimately be happy with either player, but I think Frost will be the better and more accomplished player over his career. Again, this is just preference.
My trade preference depends on free agency and who we are able to grab. If it is Hall then I would move Gaudreau and Kylington to Philly for Frost, Myers, and Voracek, but that boat may have sailed. Myers was a stud for Philly this season and especially in the post season. So that may mean we shift things a bit and go for Frost, Gostisbehere, and Ratcliffe. We take a little less salary, so our package does not quite blow our hair back as much, but we get really good value. We get that center, a puck moving defenseman, and a massive LW project who has shown the ability to finish.
The other option is the Flames go in on a cheaper free agent and target Tofolli to fill that scorer on the right side. That would then allow the Flames to change their expectations and be willing to take back another LW in swap. Gaudreau, Kylington, Pelletier or our 1st for Frost, Gostisbehere, and Konecny (I don't think they are happy with his performance). Going this road might provide bigger bang for the buck and allow a little more flexibility in the free agent market as well.
8. Make it abundantly clear that this is not a country club. That moving Johnny was the first move of possibly many to come. Be prepared to move Backlund. Let the players know you need step up and be the player you think you are if you are going to stay here.
9. Find a goaltender. Make a decision, and go all in on a goaltender, one that can also act as a mentor for the younger tenders in the system. My personal choice is Fleury, but that would require some trade magic. Rittich and Ryan for Fleury (25% retained)? Cost neutral in the first year, then Vegas saves in year two and the Flames will have a year to work out the budget, although expansion may help in that regard.
Those are my thoughts. Lots of moving pieces, but it is doable. I think the timing is right to make some big moves and retool. As long as Treliving doesn't get locked up in "the process" and learns how to make a decision, this can get done.
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