The big question is how many teams are willing to offer more than one of their top 50 type prospects though.
From the rumoured offers that have been floating out there, teams are offering just one of these prospects but not multiple. For example, NYR offering just Kravstov (ranked #37 on THW's Top 100 list that was released last week, #16 on Craig Button's top 75 list), VGK offering Krebs (#17 THW, #20 Button).
After thinking about the rumoured trade offer EE mentioned earlier this week (Pelletier, Zary, Monahan, 1st), I can sort of believe it. The Flames were willing to drop down twice in that 2020 draft and were okay with picking from a group of players they had in the same tier as Zary (#44 THW, #36 Button), I don't think they would have any problem including him in their offer. Pelletier (#47 THW, #51 Button) seems redundant with Mangiapane and Dube already on the roster and Coronato in the pipeline. The Flames have been trying to move Monahan since last off-season at least, and as far has established NHlers go, he might be the best one being offered to Buffalo. After seeing the returns for Dvorak and Reinhart, Monahan could fetch at least a 1st if he improves his numbers with top line minutes and PP time - I don't think a player like Reilly Smith would.
I also think that if the Flames didn't believe their offer was good enough or weren't prepared to add to it if Buffalo got a better offer later, they would have moved on already and used their cap space on another trade or signing.
|