Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community - View Single Post - 2019/2020 Trade Speculation and Rumors 2.0

Calgary4LIfe · 09-30-2020, 12:44 PM

I easily see both sides of the Kuemper for a first vs Markstrom for free argument. I think both sides are right.

I rationalize this way:

If both players play well for however long they are signed for (and assuming that Markstrom doesn't sign for a crazy cap hit like 6 or 7 million a year, and given a 5 year term), then Markstrom is the superior choice. You address the goaltending position for the next 5 seasons with (if it works out) above average goaltending, possibly even much better than that. That's huge. That's better than spending a first to save 1 or 2 million a season, and then be left with yet another big question mark at the end of those 2 seasons - try to re-sign Kuemper again, or find another goalie.

However...

If Markstrom doesn't work out (and even if Kuemper doesn't either), then having a goalie with a mid-to-high cap hit for 5+ seasons is easily worth a first to avoid, and it isn't even close. It would take much more than 1 first to clear up what would be 4 seasons (assuming the Flames keep him for the first season) of dead cap. You can't play a bad goalie like you could with an underperforming player at a different position - there is no hiding or sheltering really, even against bad teams.

I would rather 'gamble' and go after Markstrom myself. I do see that if it doesn't work out, it is going to suck for a very long time, however. Still, I take the risk - but I keep Rittich and try to work with him on positioning, as his high danger sv% is damn good, and the rest of his game COULD be an issue more with positioning that is making him somewhat unreliable.

Holtby is such an interesting question mark for me as well. Will come in cheaper I think, as he has been so up and down in his career. I don't want to take him, but I am curious to see how he responds on a new team. Seems like a guy that rides that confidence wave, and then seems to crash.

I want no part of MAF. Mediocre goalie at best who is declining. Unreliable goalie with flashes of brilliance that makes people believe he is something special, but perhaps one of the worst starters in the league (not sure how far down the list he is as compared to other starters, but he must be down there).

09-30-2020, 12:44 PM	#8731
Calgary4LIfe Franchise Player Join Date: Jun 2010 Exp:	I easily see both sides of the Kuemper for a first vs Markstrom for free argument. I think both sides are right. I rationalize this way: If both players play well for however long they are signed for (and assuming that Markstrom doesn't sign for a crazy cap hit like 6 or 7 million a year, and given a 5 year term), then Markstrom is the superior choice. You address the goaltending position for the next 5 seasons with (if it works out) above average goaltending, possibly even much better than that. That's huge. That's better than spending a first to save 1 or 2 million a season, and then be left with yet another big question mark at the end of those 2 seasons - try to re-sign Kuemper again, or find another goalie. However... If Markstrom doesn't work out (and even if Kuemper doesn't either), then having a goalie with a mid-to-high cap hit for 5+ seasons is easily worth a first to avoid, and it isn't even close. It would take much more than 1 first to clear up what would be 4 seasons (assuming the Flames keep him for the first season) of dead cap. You can't play a bad goalie like you could with an underperforming player at a different position - there is no hiding or sheltering really, even against bad teams. I would rather 'gamble' and go after Markstrom myself. I do see that if it doesn't work out, it is going to suck for a very long time, however. Still, I take the risk - but I keep Rittich and try to work with him on positioning, as his high danger sv% is damn good, and the rest of his game COULD be an issue more with positioning that is making him somewhat unreliable. Holtby is such an interesting question mark for me as well. Will come in cheaper I think, as he has been so up and down in his career. I don't want to take him, but I am curious to see how he responds on a new team. Seems like a guy that rides that confidence wave, and then seems to crash. I want no part of MAF. Mediocre goalie at best who is declining. Unreliable goalie with flashes of brilliance that makes people believe he is something special, but perhaps one of the worst starters in the league (not sure how far down the list he is as compared to other starters, but he must be down there).