Still processing this last series and I'm sure my opinions will change over the next few months but based on the whole body of work from this season here's my thoughts on the off-season:
Johnny - Re-sign Long Term, Gets the team to the playoffs, was over a PPG in playoffs and without Johnny this team would need to go scorched earth to replace what he brings. His best season as a Flame. If Johnny walks, most of this below is irrelevant, but I believe he signs long-term.
Tkachuk - Unless we hear on garbage bag day that he was dealing with some sort of nagging injury during playoffs.. I'd be very open to packaging him with a Valimaki/Mackey and going for a hockey trade like what Tre did with Carolina. Ideally we could acquire a high-end Center as the return, pushing Backlund to 3C and giving our Top 6 a new look.
Mangiapane - Re-sign on a 4 year deal (similar to Coleman/Toffoli), gives the team a pretty clear window of contention and we've seen progression from him year over year. The line with him, Backlund and Coleman were undoubtedly our strongest threat in this series.
Kylington - Re-sign, yeah he made a bunch of gaffs in the playoffs once Tanev went down, but he's only going to get better IMO. Would be great if he added some muscle this off-season and perhaps that would also help him stay on his feet. Just do squats for the whole summer please.
Monahan - LTIR for a full-season next year to get him back to 100% healthy, or package with a Tkachuk/Valimaki. I'm not going to bash the guy but I don't believe he's the answer to any of our problems, give him a fresh start and move that contract off the books if you can.
Lucic - No idea if they can get that contract off the books, love the guy and the toughness/leadership he brings but the game is too fast for him.
Jarnkrok - Let him walk IMO. I think at the time it was a good trade and one that I was hoping Tre would make but I'd rather give that roster spot to a Pelletier or FA with more to offer offensively.
Zadorov - I hope he re-signs, he's still young and fits the Flames identity. Fully expecting him to leave for more money though.
Gudbranson - Was better this season than I was expecting, it's felt all season like he's a guy we will re-sign on a discount and I hope that's the case. Need some of that toughness around the team especially if we lose Zadorov.
Lewis - Would be happy to re-sign him for league minimum. Or let him walk.
Ritchie - Let him walk as UFA
Stone - Would be happy to re-sign him for league minimum. Or let him walk.
What I'd love to see this off-season is a Top 6 center added to the core, and young guys like Pelletier/Mackey making a huge push in camp and making the team. We need these solid ELC guys to have an impact in order to free up cap space, that's how Tampa has done it and IMO they're the model to follow.
Don't blow the team up unless Johnny walks, and if that's the case and he does go out East.. get all possible first rounds picks for the Bedard draft, don't half-ass it.
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