I don't think there is any reason to rush out and trade anyone right now. The Flames need the market to ripen. It just isn't there yet.
I don't understand the Maloney interview in relation to the trade market itself - I don't see it as the Flames giving anything away. They are last (or were last), and the season is over. Everyone knows this. Everyone can see that Andersson needs to be traded this year. Everyone can see that Kadri and Coleman have term.
I don't think much happens this year until after the Olympics. I think the market will go bonkers then, especially since you can count on key players getting injured. Teams won't want to punt a season. I bet this trade deadline's prices will be high, especially given the lack of lousy rebuilding teams.
Things were going along 100% fine until Maloney did his thing. Now the fan base is all riled up and worried. I worry about the long-term approach, but to me, this is a textbook rebuild. I also think there is never a better opportunity to ship out vets for prospects than at the deadline when the value of vets is at the highest, and the value of picks is the lowest. The draft always seems like the opposite to me.
I am just glad that Andersson is having a really good start to the season (though he did last year already, so I am knocking on wood), Kadri hasn't noticeably regressed (and the minute he does, I think his valuation flips from positive to negative instantly), and Coleman is his usual consistent self. These are all positives that make me relax.
|