Quote:
Originally Posted by Sylvanfan
They do bung up a retention slot for multiple years, and the premier asset is 2 or 3 seasons away. But the return in a trade like this is less consequential than being willing to make the trade. Definitely puts the team all in on a rebuild and hopefully these next three drafts can yield some elite players. The trade itself is fine. But it's the action of making the trade that I think ultimately benefits the team long term. The fact that the Flames got this package with 20% retention would definitely have been laughed at in the summer of 2023 when many thought this contract could be a boat anchor.
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They use up a retention spot but frankly who really care about retention spots on this team. They aren't going to be anywhere near the cap in the upcoming future nor should they be. The fact that the cap is going up as well makes retention slightly less valuable and there is no double retention anymore so that benefit is gone as well. Ultimately I don't think that it hurts the Flames in any measurable way.
Also think about how the Flames a few years ago got an asset for free and have managed to turn it into assets for a rebuild. Then look up in Edmonton where they sign a player than then have to buy them out (Campbell) or have to package them with a first round pick just to get rid of them (Mangipane). A UFA signing working out this well is really rare.