[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by OptimalTates

If Gaudreau makes it clear his intention is to move on (or even "test free agency") my plan would be to gut that top line in order to prepare for a rebuild:

Give him carte blanche to talk with any team and make it known the Flames are willing to sign-and-trade for the right price so he can still get that 8th year. Hopefully that means team like NJ and Philly will be negotiating against each other for the AAV but also competing to get the sign-and-trade in for that 8th year. Play hardball but take whatever you can get by the end even if it's a late pick, but I think there's a chance that it could be quite a bit more if a team feels that getting that 8th year is the difference between signing him or not.

Ask if Tkachuk is willing to be part of an earnest rebuild. Likely won't, but it's up to him. If he doesn't want to, i.e. won't sign long term, ask which teams he would consider signing an 8 year deal with and work on a trade with them for a signed Tkachuk. Obviously NJ for the 2nd would be a great basis for a trade in this respect but lots of moving parts here.

Shop Lindholm hard. Take on bad contracts for a premium. Arizona might form a good twofer here with Lindholm for Ladd. If they have any hope of staying in Arizona, which they might not, they need to make some noise quickly. Instead of waiting to trade Chychrun, Schmaltz then Keller because they all want out from the failing franchise, instead give them a reason to want to stay. Lindholm, third overall this year, Hayton, a UFA signing or two and maybe they can compete or at least not be expected to finish at the bottom again and again and again.

To Flyers:
Gaudreau (signed 8 years)
2023 2nd round pick (expected to be in the 32-40th spot)

To Calgary:
JVR
2023 1st round pick (expected to be in that 16th-24th spot but no lottery protection)

To New Jersey:
Tkachuk (with intention to sign long-term)

To Calgary:
2nd overall pick

To Arizona:
Lindholm
JVR (50% for 2M salary)

To Calgary:
34th pick in 2022
1st round pick in 2023
Ladd

Flames with three shots (their own, Arizona and Philly) going into the 2023 draft of Bedard/Michkov, plus the 2nd overall like Wright to build around for the next decade. The expense is at the top line of the 2022 season but hand is being forced.

Flyers pay a premium but get Gaudreau and make room by moving a player on the verge of being bought out and bet on themselves finishing in the playoffs making the pick a late 1st for an early 2nd.

New Jersey misses out on Gaudreau but supplements their young core with an elite sandpaper player like Tkachuk as they shift from rebuilding to trying to contend.

Arizona gets a player with an absurd cap hit but at 2M in actual salary and consistent 25 goal scorer, while bringing in a Selke level center that could centre Keller and Schmaltz making a very strong two-way first line. Hayton centers a second line with JVR or Crouse and Boyd and Ritchie see if they can keep up their strong play on a solid third line. They also clear out 4M by moving Ladd which they desperately would want to do.

Next steps would be looking at what teams are on Lucic's trade list and see if any of them want him at 1M for a pick. (Arizona would love him at 1M, but he might not waive for there while Kraken being close to home might be more plausible).

Next year look at trading Backlund and Tanev at the deadline. Hopefully re-sign Hanafin, re-assess what to do with Toffoli.

That Devils deal needs ++ for NJ. A 2nd OA in a crap draft is not enough for a 24 year old 100pt scorer who is also a unicorn in terms of being a pest.

Also not a fan of the Arizona deal as the Coyotes would simply not give up their 1st no chance no shot.

If you tear it down Lucic stays until the deadline

Markstrom would need to be traded