Sometimes I wonder what would have been if Gaudreau scored in OT instead of Pavelski sliding across and getting a piece of the shot.
As much as I think the group needs a bit of a shake up, I understand why a move isn't being made for the sake of making a move. Last things the Flames need is paint themselves into a corner and the result is a one for one trade similar to the Hall one.
My hope, if everyone comes back, is there is a bit of a return to the team a couple years ago where the depth allowed for the lines to come in waves. I do think that the team is young enough that the team can potentially move forward if players keep progressing. Andersson, Valamiki, Hanifin, Klyington, Dube, Mangipane, Tkachuk, and Bennett are all still young players. Hell even Monahan, Gaudreau, and Lindholm are still pretty young.
Even if you leave off that last group of players you have almost half the roster that should/could make a step forward.
The only thing that makes me leery of trading Monahan without a centre prospect coming back, is understanding Backlund is on the back nine. You really don't know how many productive years he has left or if he will be around after the expansion draft. What this team looks like down the middle will be interesting to see in a couple years, which is why if Monahan is traded, it has to be be for the right pieces for a long term solution.
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