Johnny Gaudreau - re-sign or trade?

[dissentowner]

This is pretty divided in discussion on the board, can we add a poll to see where the percentages lie? Also a good thread to discuss a big decision going forward. Everybody knows how I feel.

[troutman]

I don't know how you feel.

[N-E-B]

Can you get Eichel? If yes, re-sign. If not, trade.

[Ashasx]

I think if you trade Gaudreau, you may as well trade everybody because your window to compete is securely closed.

I am a Gaudreau booster, but I would trade him and many others.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Re-sign for me.

But the key here is talking to him during the offseason. If either signs point to him bouncing after next season or has no desire to stay here then you need to trade him. He won’t have the same value when he gets to choose only 5 teams to go to when the first day of free agency comes up.

He’s still an effective player. The Gaudreau - Lindholm - Tkachuk line was on fire. I’m all for keeping him but I do understand if it’s time we part ways.

Going to be an interesting offseason.

[Roof-Daddy]

If he wants to sign here long term and will sign a fair deal (not some bloated contract) I'm fine keeping him. He's the straw that stirs the drink offensively.

Go get him Jack ####ing Eichel though please

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by troutman

I don't know how you feel.

I think this team is going to be ugly without Gaudreau. If he is honest in wanting to stay and signs a reasonable deal you get it done. He has been lightning under Sutter and is the straw that stirs the drink offensively here. He is a big merch seller as well and just fun to watch. Unless BT pulls off a miracle you are going to lose any Gaudreau trade. I think he can still be a 90-100 point guy with the right linemates like who he is playing with now.

[Jetfire]

I'd be in the keep him camp if we can move a couple of the other old core pieces.

[1qqaaz]

I would rather trade Monahan (poor performance), Tkachuk (QO requirement, highest trade value), Backlund and Gio (old).

Keep Lindholm for sure. Re-sign Gaudreau if possible.

[Manhattanboy]

I really hope we keep Johnny and hopefully he wants to stay.

[SeanCharles]

If he is willing, easy re-sign.

We are a much younger team than people calling for a rebuild realize.

Gio, Tanev, Lucic, Backlund, and Markstrom are really the only older guys under contract for next season.

Tanev is a beast, goalies age much more gracefully than skaters so Markstrom should be solid for the remainder of his contract. Gio only has a year left on his contract and who knows a lot of people are speculating Lucic could get picked in expansion so we already have a younger foundation in place.

[SuperMatt18]

I think it depends on the cost.

Trade
Re-sign: 4+ years, > $8M
Re-sign: 4+ years, < $8M

To me I'd probably re-sign him for less than $8M, but anything more than that and I'd probably look for a trade.

[blankall]

If he is willing to sign, then you sign him IMO.

Perhaps I'm a massive glutton for punishment and never learn, but I actually see a lot of good things about this group, and don't think they are as far from being good as most people say. Certainly I don't advocate a blow-up, assuming Gaudreau is willing to stay.

The first line looks a lot better, with our 3 best players all on the top line. Beyond that there is solid depth pieces in Mangiapane and Dube. The defence and goaltending looks great. At this stage, I think the Flames are 2-3 good depth forwards from being competitive. If we could add a Toffoli and an RNH you've got a competitive team. The kinds of moves the Flames are missing, are the kind you make with trades and signings, not by blowing it up.....

Maybe I'm crazy though, and part of the problem why the Flames have been not super successful since 2004. That being said if Gaudreau wants out, that changes everything. Our offence without him is awful.

[djsFlames]

If he's willing, yes.

If he can be part of a package that lands you Eichel, no.

[flamesgod]

Do everything you can to re-sign.

[madmike]

Re-signing Gaudreau is the key to what the Flames do moving forward in my opinion. If he’s willing to re-sign you bring him back. If he’s not, then you trade him and start the rebuild.

[dino7c]

Sign him if possible...add better players around him

Play him with 2 other quality NHL players not zero or 1

[Cali Panthers Fan]

I trade Gaudreau only in a situation where you get another very skilled player in return, but whoever we get back has to have the size and tenacity to endure playoff hockey. Gaudreau will always perform in the regular season, but playoffs are much tougher for him. I just don't think you can win if he's your #1 offensive player. If he's a complementary guy, like winger to an elite center, then you have a good shot of winning.

For that reason, unless you can pry Eichel out of buffalo, or a similar player, I think Johnny has to be the guy you move because you can get the most in return to retool the roster.

[868904]

Depends if they trade Tkachuk for Eichel.

If you trade Tkachuk for Eichel, you have to sign Gaudreau long term.

One of Tkachuk or Gaudreau have to be around to play with Eichel.

If they can get Eichel without trading Tkahuck, I think you trade Gaudreau to recoup value.

You can't have Eichel, Tkachuk and Gaudreau all on the same team each making over $8 million per.

[dammage79]

Trade. I dont think hes the guy that gets you deep into the party no matter who he lines with.

Ive fallen out of liking Gaudreau very hard these past two seasons.

Time to move on.