OST's interview with Darren Haynes

[Da_Chief]

We got a chance to interview Darren Haynes. Asked him about his top 20 prospects list, who the Flames goalie should be next year. Which Fin he likes more etc.

He made a great point regarding the expansion draft and how it could be really help the Flames.

http://ostalk.podbean.com/e/ostalk-e...darren-haynes/

Any feedback will be appreciated. Great guy to talk to.

Check out his website flamesfrom80feet.ca if you haven't.

[handgroen]

Originally Posted by Da_Chief

We got a chance to interview Darren Haynes. Asked him about his top 20 prospects list, who the Flames goalie should be next year. Which Fin he likes more etc.

He made a great point regarding the expansion draft and how it could be really help the Flames.

http://ostalk.podbean.com/e/ostalk-e...darren-haynes/

Any feedback will be appreciated. Great guy to talk to.

Check out his website flamesfrom80feet.ca if you haven't.

that's a great get, congrats

[Da_Chief]

With to respect to the potential expansion draft:

He made a great point on how teams will only get to protect one goalie so it's a great time for the Flames to go goalie shopping this summer. Get an asset now before you lose one of your goalies for nothing to expansion.

Anaheim: Gibson & Andersen
St. Louis: Allen & Elliott
Chicago: Crawford & Darling
Tampa: Bishop & Vesilevsky
Pittsburgh: Fleury & Murray
Philadelphia: Mason & Neuvirth
Colorado: Pickard & Varlamov

7 potential sellers with Calgary, Toronto, Vancouver, Arizona, Carolina as the teams that could be looking for a goalie this summer.

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by Da_Chief

7 potential sellers with Calgary, Toronto, Vancouver, Arizona, Carolina as the teams that could be looking for a goalie this summer.

This summer, Arizona and Vancouver won't be looking for a goalie. They both have significant dollars tied up in a starter, and both have good options as back up.

Vancouver:
Miller
Markstrom

Arizona:
Domingue (RFA)
Smith

[Bingo]

if Gillies isn't an issue for exposure than the Flames are in a great spot (games played or something with his wiped out season).

However if they say 2 pro seasons period than Gillies will have to be exposed meaning the Flames would have to lose either Gillies or the guy they acquire which snuffs out the opportunity in my mind.

[Da_Chief]

Originally Posted by Bingo

if Gillies isn't an issue for exposure than the Flames are in a great spot (games played or something with his wiped out season).

However if they say 2 pro seasons period than Gillies will have to be exposed meaning the Flames would have to lose either Gillies or the guy they acquire which snuffs out the opportunity in my mind.

Possibly but Gillies would have to have a great year even if he's not exempt.

Some other AHL goalies:
Jusse Saros
Tristan Jarry
Malcolm Subban
Anton Forsberg
Laurent Brossoit
Zane McIntyre
Zach Fucale
Kristers Gudlevskis
Eric Comrie
Joonas Korpisalo

All these guys would like be coming off 2 solid AHL campaigns + some NHL experience as well.

I'm not certain Flames lose Gillies even if he's not protected.

[PeteMoss]

Originally Posted by Bingo

if Gillies isn't an issue for exposure than the Flames are in a great spot (games played or something with his wiped out season).

However if they say 2 pro seasons period than Gillies will have to be exposed meaning the Flames would have to lose either Gillies or the guy they acquire which snuffs out the opportunity in my mind.

Nothing against Gillies but he's played 3 pro games. He's a good looking prospect but you can't worry about that now. If he has a good year next than you have an issue that you can deal with, but you still have to address the net for next year and let the chips fall where they may.

Its not like Gillies is the only goalie prospect in the world either, these teams will have a bunch of options for goalies.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Bingo

if Gillies isn't an issue for exposure than the Flames are in a great spot (games played or something with his wiped out season).

However if they say 2 pro seasons period than Gillies will have to be exposed meaning the Flames would have to lose either Gillies or the guy they acquire which snuffs out the opportunity in my mind.

IMO a lot of teams will be in that same situation with their groomed goaltenders in the AHL. I imagine the expansion team would have a choice of several prospective goaltenders on Gillies level and would have to like him better than the others so not something I would overly worry about. I doubt the team would take Gillies over say Murray and they would likely take a veteran goaltender for the 2nd spot.

[PeteMoss]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

IMO a lot of teams will be in that same situation with their groomed goaltenders in the AHL. I imagine the expansion team would have a choice of several prospective goaltenders on Gillies level and would have to like him better than the others so not something I would overly worry about. I doubt the team would take Gillies over say Murray and they would likely take a veteran goaltender for the 2nd spot.

There's still so many unanswered questions with the expansion draft. Last two times each team took 3 goalies. Nashville took 5 goalies in 1998 including Vokoun (Flames actually traded Jim Dowd to Nashville so they wouldn't take a Flames goalie).

If you've got one team taking three goalies - they'd probably take at least two veterans and then one prospect. If you've got two teams taking five each - then you've got to worry about Gillies.

[Erick Estrada]

I'm not even sure why the NHL is looking at expansion at this point when the common theme when watching highlights over the league is empty seats even in good hockey markets.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

I'm not even sure why the NHL is looking at expansion at this point when the common theme when watching highlights over the league is empty seats even in good hockey markets.

$500 million per expansion team.

Mind you, only one buyer is willing to pay that price, which suggests that it's too high. But try telling that to the NHL owners when they've got dollar signs in their eyes.

[Bingo]

I agree he may not get taken, but the only way you'd ease up on not worrying about exposing him is if you've acquired another goaltender that is young enough with team control.

Gillies is on a lot of top prospect lists for goaltenders so I do think they'd lose him in an expansion draft.

Additionally, teams are going to have to project which goaltenders will suffer and which will thrive in the changing equipment world and I think Gillies may be well positioned as he's big but also athletic as opposed to just big.

May make the Flames alter their plans and go after a guy that they either don't fear losing (say Howard or Smith in a deal where the other team retains salary), or a guy that will be a UFA in a year like Elliot

Then go get another one from the expansion team once they build up a stable.