Quote:
Originally Posted by stemit14
I think the return for the team trading Andersson this season could be a huge benefit in the long term - especially if they can get someone like Helenius. It could also lead to the flames finishing in the bottom 10 this year - getting a potential future impact player in the draft rather than losing that pick to Montreal. It could also lead to the flames “bottoming out” next season. If there is a year to finish in the bottom 5, it’s next season. I know it’s unlikely for Calgary but it would be wonderful to finally get a franchise center like McKenna in the draft.
If Conroy trades Andersson and possibly Coleman this year/in the offseason and doesn’t sign any vets to replace them, they might be bad enough to be in the mix for McKenna. I know there can be value in signing vets and trading them at the deadline but I don’t think return will be worth enough compared to keeping spots available for young players like Brz, Parekh and Honzek to play significant minutes in the NHL. Plus the potential to have a chance at McKenna. I know the odds of getting McKenna in 2026 are poor no matter what but getting a couple of 3rd and 4th round picks for guys like Kuzmenko, Mantha and Barrie will not be worth it next year IMO.
Here’s the hope (and that’s really all it is is hope so it’s not a real strategy):
Trade Andersson for a top center prospect (like Helenius) + 1st round pick (2025 or 2026)
Trade Coleman for a 2nd round pick/late first round pick (2025 or 2026)
Finish bottom 10 this year (draft an impact top line forward with that pick)
Finish bottom 5 next year (draft a potential franchise forward with that pick)
If the drafted players reach their potential…
Impact top line forward from 2025 draft
Franchise center from 2026 draft
2nd line center (like Helenius) from Andersson trade
Two years from right now, the lineup could be:
Zary - <Franchise center from 2026 draft> - Coronato
Honzek - Helenius - <Impact forward from 2025 draft>
Huberdeau - Backlund - Gridin
Posposil-Kadri-Klapka
By then, you still have plenty of vets on the team in Backlund, Kadri, Huberdeau, Weegar and Sharangovich. Also, guys like Zary, Coronato, Posposil and Klapka could be considered NHL veterans themselves by then. Then there will be other young players that could surprise or at least be pushing for roster spots from the later draft picks (guys like Basha for example).
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You are expecting a lot from recently drafted players.
Fantilli, Carlsson and Smith from the 2023 draft year are still finding their way, and they were considered great 2-4 picks. You are expecting a top 10 pick from 2025 likely a late top 10 pick at best) to be an impact forward playing on the first line in 2026.
He’s more likely to still be in the AHL that playing meaningful minutes in the NHL, absent a lot of luck.