Hate to be the wet blanket again, but I’m still seeing tons of names in this thread that just don’t seem realistic in my opinion. I feel like a lot of posters are setting themselves up for disappointment and also putting unfair expectations on Brad Treliving.
Even though I’m typically very critical of the guy, even I don’t think it’s realistic for Brad to trade for the Laine’s, DeBrincat’s or even the Toffoli’s of the hockey world with the Flames’ cap situation being what it is next season. I don’t think it makes sense acquiring big ticket players with term/rights that could impede the Flames’ ability to sign their 4 free agents this summer.
For instance, just to pay for the raises of Gaudreau, Tkachuk, Mangiapane & Kylington, Treliving will likely have to move one or more of Monahan, Backlund, Hanifin and etc. If you throw in a Toffoli contract on top of that, then it just adds more complexity and risk in to the mix. Then we’ll be in a situation of diminishing returns just due to sheer desperation. That’s not a good idea at all.
So in my opinion, the scenario that makes the most sense is a rental, at least until the TDL of 2023 when Lucic and Monahan’s contracts will be up.
|