Quote:
Originally Posted by CliffFletcher
The Flames are not rebuilding this season or next. Just last season they signed two thirty-plus UFAs as core players and brought in Sutter. They’re in a playoff spot, and desperately want to win a round.
But the window is short. Over the next two off-seasons they may lose one or both of Guadreau and Tkachuk.
The team is in win-now mode, but are not motivated enough to mortgage the future. I don’t think they’re willing to move a 1st or a top prospect (Coranato, Wolf, Pelletier).
I agree that the Flames can’t take on a difference-maker who has term without complicating an already difficult off-season even further. So the rental option makes the most sense.
So realistic options are pending UFAs who can be had for less than a 1st. So Jarnkrok/Debrusk/Rackell rather than Hertl/Eberle/Giroux.
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I think this is pretty accurate. Can't see the Flames fooling themselves into thinking they are a player, or two, away from competing with the top tier teams; Colorado, Vegas, TB, Florida, Carolina. So, I would be surprised to see them part with one of their top prospects or a 1st for a rental. Freidman said as much recently on a 32 Thoughts podcast when asked why the Flames weren't in on Chychrun. He did then go on to say the Flames are interested in Charot and Marek linked the Flames to Chychrun not long after. I suspect this is more kicking tires and enquiring on cost, opposed to making an offer.
Jarnkrok makes sense, as does Rakell. Debrusk in a hockey trade could also make sense.
Have a real hard time seeing Giroux or Hertl accepting a trade to Calgary, or more specifically, Canada at this point.
I do think Eberle is a maybe though. Reason why is because Eric D recently brought up an interesting point in that every year the TDL market is a bit different. He is foreseeing this year to be similar to 2012 where there was a lot of available players on the market, in other words a buyers market. He specifically pointed to the Kings aquiring Gaborik for a 2nd and a 3rd. Not a bad price for a player who lead them in scoring in the playoffs and continued to contribute beyond that year. Could Eberle be had for a similar price?
Really though the brontosaurus in the room is the Gaudreau situation. I suspect the Flames will be hesitant to do anything too big without the Gaudreau situation becoming clear, one way or the other.