Quote:
Originally Posted by DiracSpike
I don't want to run Gaudreau out of town but as a fan the team is in a tough spot with him. Between his impending free agency and how this team has clearly hit a ceiling with him as the best player the Flames are basically going to be forced to trade him. Or they can be stubborn, hold on for one more mediocre season and lose him for nothing when he walks in 2022. Those are the choices, everyone talking purely about JG's skills or shortcomings are missing the big picture.
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I agree. Johnny has been my favourite player since he came into the league and he has been amazing for most of his time as a Flame. If Brad Treliving can land a #1 center, top 6 RW moving out pieces like Monahan, Bennett, Ryan and picks and prospects then turn around and resign Johnny and Tkachuk and other young RFA's like Valimaki and Dube in a salary cap that probably remains flat for 2 to 3 years then great lets keep Johnny. I just don't think anyone that thinks this is going to happen is being realistic.
Probably need a #1 dman too as it's pretty clear that Gio is no longer a top pairing dman let alone a norris calibre dman. Tanev and Hanifin have been great but some of our offensive struggles are due to these guys being more defensive and maybe that PPG QB PP dman that Gio was is missing? Maybe we struggle to score as we under valued how good he was a few years ago. 70 point dman don't grow on trees either and we will be lucky to have someone put up 0.5 PPG pace this season.
Not sure if we should do this deal but moving Johnny for TK does fix the up and coming cap issues. He is a top 6 RW and if you like the idea of a retool and plan to win come 22/23 season this would be a great step towards building a great team in the future even if we take a step back this year and next.
Also would drive our first up a bit. Who knows maybe one year we will get lucky and win the draft lottery. If not I don't mind adding a top 8 pick to our prospect pool.
Gio might raise his hand to chase a cup if we moved Johnny too. I'd like to see that.
These moves helps with expansion draft protect list issues.
I love Johnny but I just don't see this team fixing our issues before he is a UFA.