This is a tough question to answer simply trade or sign.
I think this roster needs a shakeup and I still believe Tkachuk makes sense as the most logical player to build around. I hope no matter what one of those guys is signed to a long term extension this summer.
Where keeping Gaudreau intrigues me is if the Flames can get Eichel in a trade. Unfortunately the only way to get Eichel is to have Tkachuk going the other way. I have been searching Eichel Flames on Twitter and it does seem Sabres fans are very interested in a deal around Tkachuk and Eichel and I honestly think if a deal like that goes down we won’t see a ton of +++ coming from the Flames. If the Flames can pull that deal off then they need to focus heavily on a Gaudreau extension because I don’t think gettting Eichel works without pairing him with Johnny.
On the flip side of the Flyers are willing to do a deal around Konecny and Patrick for Gaudreau I would make that trade immediately as it would allow the Flames to expose Backlund in expansion and adds 2 younger players to the roster. Patrick has potential to be a Bennett/Strome/Turris like pickup where he is quite a bit better on a new team with a fresh start. Konecny is the prize though and would be a Sutter style winger who I think still forms a great top line with Lindholm and Tkachuk.
The one thing the Flames cannot do is lose Johnny for nothing or wait until his NTC kicks in to make the deal
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