Quote:
Originally Posted by wireframe
I think slightly worse. Treliving did an amazing job with the hand he was dealt but it was a very bad hand. Gaudreau for Huberdeau could be equivalent. Tkachuk is an elite scoring presence in front of the net that isn't quite replaced by Kadri. Weegar is a big add but I think it doesn't quite make up the gap from losing Tkachuk.
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Maybe in the regular season, but the post season, this team is better on paper and better strategically built;
1) They've added a legit 1st pairing dman who can play all situations and transitionally is very underrated.
2) They've replaced Gaudreau with Huberdeau, based on Gaudreau's mentality (see his thoughts on the Oilers series after game 1), they've won this already.
3) Tkachuk was a playoff zero, he continuously disappeared when it mattered most, Kadri although has had some playoff brain farts consistently has shown he loves the moment and can elevate (see last year). Kadri had as many points last year in 16 playoff games as Tkachuk has had in 27 playoff games. He also gives us a legit 2nd line centre who drops Backlund into his correct slot, that cant be over looked. The Flames went from sub average centre depth to one of the deeper teams in the league.
I've been super critical of BT the last few years but its astonishing what hes pulled off here and with IMO the absolute perfect pieces and needs of the team, from a position of weakness nonetheless. Ive said it before and I'll say it again, Gaudreau and Tkahcuk wanting out might have been the best thing for this team and also indirectly awaken BT. The previous core wasn't working and his continued effort to bring in complimentary pieces and not touch the core was clearly hurting the team from being a playoff threat.
I hope he has one more move up his sleeve to bring in another top 6 forward (without giving up any more 1sts), then I think we match up extremely well against the best team in the west (Colorado). They are the barometer.