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Originally Posted by TrentCrimmIndependent
The downside to walking away is much greater for NJ than the Flames.
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No, I would say it is about equal for both teams. Let's be frank here. The teams are headed in very different directions. New Jersey is headed up and is a puck stopper away from having a very good team. Calgary is headed in the opposite direction and Markstrom is not a part of that future. Calgary should be looking to the future and doing everything they can to secure pieces that will be part of that future team. A Mercer or a Holtz is definitely a piece for the future.
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Calgary can still make runs for playoffs with Markstrom backstopping them, and he can mentor the wolf. They can look to move Hanifin for the young center.
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Calgary is NOT making a run for the playoffs. The loss of Tanev and Hanifin all but gut that idea. The Flames will be playing out the string and looking toward next year. I would also argue that Markstrom would be a horrible mentor for Wolf. Markstrom is a goaltender whose style is completely different than Wolf's. Markstrom is a big puck stopper who relies on angles. Wolf is an instinctive athletic goaltender who actually makes saves. Different styles, different mentalities, and very different approaches to the game.
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NJ would be stuck looking at worse B tier options and continue losing due to goaltending woes in the meantime, and this season would be toast (if it wasn't already).
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And Calgary will still be looking for a top six forward to improve the lineup. Conroy's job is to improve the team and here is an opportunity to do just that. He needs to take that step back and realize the position he's created and try to make the best out of it. If a player like Mercer or Holtz is still on the table for the taking you make the trade.
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This is why Conroy doesn't need to budge.
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Conroy has overplayed his hand IMO. He's pressed too hard, made a mistake with the NTC, and destroyed the relationship with the player. The only move forward now is to move the player and move him quickly.
Make. The. Trade.