We have all speculated that the flames would send a player with a cap hit around $6 million to Buffalo in exchange for eichel. I wonder if the delay in his surgery could make that less of a necessity. It would obviously mean depleting the prospect pool almost completely but what if it was something like:
Zary
Coronato
1st round pick in 2022 (top 10 protected)
2nd round pick in 2023 (becomes a 1st round pick if the flames make the playoffs in 2023)
To Calgary:
Eichel (15% retained salary)
That’s as much of an all futures deal as any team could get for a single player and it meets the asking price (equivalent of 4 first round picks). Eichel goes on LTIR. Flames get to start the season without losing a Monahan/tkachuk/backlund. It’s a big risk considering the injury and how much it would hurt the prospect base of this team which has finally become a strength. I can’t remember any recent trades that included this many 1st round picks (either previous or to come).
In order to activate eichel from LTIR, they’ll likely need to make room eventually but that could come in the form of:
a) Injuries to other players. Both Monahan and tkachuk have missed time with injuries over the last few seasons so that’s a real possibility. Tanev had a healthy season last year but he has been known to be injury-prone in the past. Same with Markstrom;
b) Having to trade someone mid-season. Monahan’s value can be improved if he plays and is 100% healthy for the first time in a while. He could be traded and be worth more by that point than he is now; or
c) Pulling a Kucherov. Whichever surgery eichel gets… they both have huge ranges of recovery periods (I’ve heard as little as 2 months to as long as 9 months). Even if he was 100% healthy after 4-5 months, the flames could have him practicing with the team for a full month or two getting him in “game shape”. He could conveniently be ready just in time for playoffs. Gaudreau, eichel, Lindholm, tkachuk, Monahan, mangiapane, backlund, Coleman, Dube, Lucic… that’s a beast of a forward lineup for the playoffs.
All of these scenarios hinge on the flames making the playoffs. I think this roster and this coach can do that if the goaltending is at least pretty solid. It makes 2021-2022 an “all in season” because players have to be traded at some point in order to fit eichel and gaudreau’s likely combined cap hit of around $17 million in 2022-2023. It might have to be tkachuk if the rumours are true that he wants to play for a US team. If so, he can be traded to recoup some of the futures lost in the eichel deal - next summer he would likely be worth at least a top prospect/1st round pick.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
|