Quote:
Originally Posted by Bingo
Things didn't work out.
Most of the hockey world thought the Flames did very well in a bad situation with the Tkachuk trade including a large majority on this site.
A lot of hindsight jockeying in this discussion.
Having said that, I'm with those that think they had a huge opportunity with the trade and then trade both Huberdeau and Weegar right after. I think that would have saved them a lot of pain with the other UFAs on the horizon.
But would I expect that from most teams? Not really. You don't see many tear downs happening before they're necessary, and that would have been pretty bold (potentially not even allowed from ownership)
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It's true. People thought the Flames made out alright in a bad situation and things didn't work out. Sometimes you swing and you miss. However i feel there's more to it than that.
I remember after the whole Johnny/Chucky situation played out there was an interview where Treliving talked about how just because the team had some cap room now and could spend some money, didn't mean they should. They had to be careful. Everyone was all emotional still. If the right opportunity came along of course they are going to look at it, but they needed to make sure they spent wisely otherwise or the team could really be handcuffed going forward.
He of course followed that up by attaching a 1st to Mony, who only had 1 year left on his deal, so that they could move him to make room to sign 32 year old Kadri to a 7 year deal. Then they signed Huberdeau to a 8 year extension, largest contract in Flames history, before he had ever played a game in the Flaming C. Treliving then had a front row seat for the implosion that followed and then decided to peace out.
Yes, it was a bad situation but it was basically one that Treliving created by signing Tkachuk to a bridge deal in 2019. In an era where the best teams sign their best young players to long term deals, the Flames decided that they should sign their best young player to a 3 year bridge so they could keep Michael Frolik and his 4.3 million contract. This was of course followed up by Frolik putting up 10 points in 38 games. Being benched. Having his agent cry about it on social media then asking for a trade and ultimately only playing 27 more games in the NHL before going back to Europe in 2021.
Had they signed Chucky to an 8 year deal, even if he still requested a trade in 2022, he would have been signed for 5 more years still. The team could have taken their time and not have been rushed into making the "best of a bad situation". His moves set this team back pretty far and there was more than a few people who pointed how needlessly risky all this was when it went down.
I feel like I'm rambling now but I guess my point is that Treliving sucked. Arguably one of the worst GMs in Flames history. And that's saying something because the Flames have quite a history of bad GMs.
Booo Treliving. Booooooooooooo.