Quote:
Originally Posted by Strange Brew
Listening to Ryan Leslie and maybe this is from earlier in the day, but he seems to think the trade market for impact forwards is going to be awfully quiet now.
Those hoping for a change in the team’s core may end up disappointed.
I am interested if people think Flames have done enough as of now or if more changes needed to become a contender.
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For me, I ask myself which group between the forwards and the goalies would bounce back next year with the greatest impact if nothing were changed, and if I had to bet, I'd go with the forward group over Rittich and Talbot.
So, bringing in an actual number 1 goalie seems like the right approach and the Flames have clearly improved there by a lot.
On defense, I'm looking at things currently as Brodie and Hamonic out, and Tanev and maybe Valimaki in, only because Valimaki wasn't a factor last year. I think he gets an opportunity to play in the 5 spot next year if he can make the team. On paper, I think it's going to change the style and structure of the defense, which may not necessarily be a bad thing. If Valimaki can not be terrible and play the full season adequately on the bottom pairing in a sheltered role, the Flames should be okay.
I also feel like Treliving is going to add Toffoli still, without moving Gaudreau out.
Overall, the Flames will be better because of the addition of Markstrom.