First line LW replacement until Gaudreau situation is resolved?

[Lanny_McDonald]

This is a legitimate question that needs to be floated out there. Should this drag out and a contract not be signed immediately after the World Shinny Exhibition series, who do you see as a temporary replacement up front until Johnny Hockey is signed? Who could be brought in to possibly put a little bit of pressure on Johnny’s agent to strike a good deal?

Do the Flames invite Alex Tanguay to camp on a PTO, or do they go so far as to sign him to a contract? Tanguay is a very similar player to Gaudreau in style of play (pass first and not recognized as a defensive stalwart) and could fit in the missing gap until the Gaudreau negotiations come to some type of close. I could see them doing worse looking for a cheap replacement.

Suggestions?

[TheScorpion]

Tanguay again? What, do we bring Brendan Morrison and Curtis Glencross out of retirement?

Look, I like Tanguay. But I don't want him back, especially not as the first-line LW. I'd rather bring in a Versteeg.

[calculoso]

Bennett

[GranteedEV]

Frolik.

[Vinny01]

We have the in house options. Shinkaruk and Tkachuk

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

Tanguay again? What, do we bring Brendan Morrison and Curtis Glencross out of retirement?

Look, I like Tanguay. But I don't want him back, especially not as the first-line LW. I'd rather bring in a Versteeg.

Devil you know versus devil you don't. You know what Tanguay brings to the table and how he is going to play. You also know he's going to be a good team mate and be coachable. He is also a guy that would likely understand his role and be more accepting at this point in his career. Versteeg is also a RW.

I'll also add, the last thing this team needs to do is move Sam Bennett out of his natural center position and screw with his development. Monahan/Bennett is the 1-2 punch this team has been waiting for in the middle for almost 20 years. Why screw with that?

[doctajones428]

David Jones.

[calculoso]

Originally Posted by New Era

I'll also add, the last thing this team needs to do is move Sam Bennett out of his natural center position and screw with his development. Monahan/Bennett is the 1-2 punch this team has been waiting for in the middle for almost 20 years. Why screw with that?

You mean the center position that he didn't play last year until very late?

I'd argue that being part of the top line and working with Monahan will be just as good for his development than being the second line center. He'd be playing against tougher opponents and playing with known good players on our side.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

We have the in house options. Shinkaruk and Tkachuk

Too soon to push either of those two into that role IMO. If Tkachuk hangs around I see him as a third liner on the LW with Sam Bennett as his pivot. Let those guys grow together to become a lethal combination. Shinkaruk is interesting, but the line needs a setup guy. If the team wants to push a young unproven player into that role maybe Jankowski is a better fit. Personally I wouldn't do that in a million years. This team needs a quick start to the season or it will quickly become another lost year, hence the veteran who can step up and deal with the pressure right away. For young guys there are some good options. For a team that wants to be in the playoffs, and needs a quick start to do that, a veteran is probably a better solution.

[Jacks]

My memory is foggy but wasn't Tanguay sulking about something last time he was here? I thought everyone was happy to see him go?

[Dajazz]

Nigel Dawes

[polak]

Originally Posted by Jacks

My memory is foggy but wasn't Tanguay sulking about something last time he was here? I thought everyone was happy to see him go?

I think it was cause Mike Keenan was playing him on the 3rd line when he was a season removed from PPG or something? I actually don't remember.

[Cole436]

Has Boyd signed yet?

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by calculoso

You mean the center position that he didn't play last year until very late?

I'd argue that being part of the top line and working with Monahan will be just as good for his development than being the second line center. He'd be playing against tougher opponents and playing with known good players on our side.

When you say very late in the season you mean mid January?

I'd argue that when you're trying to learn a position in the NHL, or any league for that matter, that it is most important to get time in at that position, and in situations where the player has potential to achieve some success. Seems this is how most good teams do it anyways.

[TheScorpion]

Originally Posted by polak

I think it was cause Mike Keenan was playing him on the 3rd line when he was a season removed from PPG or something? I actually don't remember.

Hartley was coach when Tangs was last here. Not sure what happened. It might've been that he didn't want to play on a rebuilding team, so we traded him to then-good Colorado for Jones and SOB.

[polak]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

Hartley was coach when Tangs was last here. Not sure what happened. It might've been that he didn't want to play on a rebuilding team, so we traded him to then-good Colorado for Jones and SOB.

Right. I thought it was playing time?

He was really good for us for a few seasons.

[Bingo]

I don't mind the PTO idea at all ... would be smart.

But please no on Tanguay. Too much rumbling from that past era of not buying in, pulling the rope with both hands.

Pass

[GreenLantern2814]

Johnny Gaudreau.

[Azhouse]

Originally Posted by New Era

You know what Tanguay brings to the table and how he is going to play. You also know he's going to be a good team mate and be coachable.

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by New Era

This is a legitimate question that needs to be floated out there.

No, I really don't think it is.