[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

I just think that this is a totally unrealistic perspective of the situation that doesn't factor into consideration several significant contributing factors. Presumably, there was an option heading into last summer to trade Gaudreau before his trade protection kicked in, but this assumes 1) that this is something either side wanted, and 2) that there were teams willing to move pieces of value to acquire him. How did discussions between Gaudreau and the Flames go last summer? What were his plans long term? Did he have any interest at all in moving on, and where to? Did he express any level of commitment to the Flames? Coming off of two(!) down-seasons, what did the framework of an extension look like? How much were the Flames willing to offer, and what was he willing to accept? Did his own value prompt him to delay signing until after this year? What did the trade market look like? Coming off of a couple poor seasons, were there many teams interested in the diminutive winger with middling playoff success? Were other teams less interested in acquiring Gaudreau as a result?

We don't know the answer to any of these questions, and without a clearer picture of what the market looked like from the inside, then we simply cannot know whether there were any missed opportunities that the Flames will now pay for as a result. You can make guesses about who is to blame, but in the end these all remain just guesses until we get some kind of clarity about how negotiations have transpired over the past year.


I have said this several times before, but I continue to think that most NHL GMs are not given enough time to do their job properly. Some of the more recently successful managers are those who have been in their current position for a long time. Joe Sakic is going on nine years in Colorado. Doug Armstrong has been in charge in St. Louis for over fourteen. Julien Brisbois has been on the job for only four years, but that is effectively the same regime that has been in place since 2010 when Yzerman arrived in Tampa. I, for one, am happy that Flames ownership is not so reactionary, and that Treliving is being afforded the latitude and time to do his work. Yes, he has made mistakes—all GMs do. But on balance, he has built a team that continues to improve, has won two Division championships, and a couple of playoff rounds. I like the way he goes about his business, and it seems that the owners do as well—and not because they are only interested in the bottom line, but because at the heart of it they are fans who want to win.


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That’s fair and I agree but those teams you listed have won cups. I’m not sure the Flames will be better going into next season. It’s looking like they could be a team on the decline if they lose one or two of their best players. That hasn’t happened with the other teams. Blues have some good young players on their roster so their window is still open.