The 6 UFAs in 2024

[bigrangy]

Mods can move this to the trade speculation thread if they want but I think it’s enough for a separate discussion, so it doesn’t clutter that one where people want actual rumours.

Backlund, 35
Tanev, 34
Lindholm, 29
Hanifin, 27
Toffoli, 32
Zadorov, 29

These 6 players will be these ages when their next contracts kick in. What should be done with them?

Backlund has earned the right to do what he wants imo, if he wants to extend at $5-6 mil x 2 or 3, extend him. If he wants to chase a cup, send him where he wants to go.

Tanev would be similar, he’s a huge asset on the back end, but also his health hasn’t let him make an impact in the important games yet. Would like to keep but think the trade return would be attractive.

Lindholm is an interesting problem. Is he an elite 1C and expects to be paid like one? Or does he think he’s just a solid top line guy? Can you trade him for elite 1C value? Re-singing him at $8x6 or 7 wouldn’t even be the worst thing in the world but I’d be super interested to see what a 50% retained Lindholm package would be this TDL.

Hanifin has many of the same questions. Is he a core piece? Does his next contract start with a 5, 6, 7, or 8? Seeing the American exodus, does he even want to re-sign?

Toffoli had been up and down as a Flame, and is very up this year. It always hurts less to move wingers, but consequently they’re worth less.

Zadorov, do any other teams think he could be a top 4 solution? Or is he a depth guy? Do the Flames want to pay a depth guy 3.75 mil?

If it was up to me I’m moving Hanifin, Toffoli, and Zadorov for futures and currency. I wouldn’t immediately shortcut into moving that currency for like a Chychrun or whatever, keep it through the draft and see what can be best done with it. Not having the 2025 1st means the team can’t be bad that year but 2024 can still be building if needed. Should be an interesting week leading up to the TDL.

[ComixZone]

I'd like to see each of them traded between now and the 2024 Trade Deadline - with as much value harvested at the 2023 draft. This season is a waste already so if we can sell-off some of these pieces before the deadline on Friday it would help maximize what we do at the 2023 and it would also help elevate our own 2023 picks as we'd likely tumble down the standings this season as well - and that's important.

I'd be open to Backlund and Toffoli sticking around if they were on team-friendly shorter deals, but that seems unlikely to me.

Sell 'em all.

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Selling off Lindholm and Hanifin would be enough to Kickstart a rebuild. That's two 1sts and likely other prospects. 3 in the first round this year would be a nice influx of talent since the floor is high

Backlund has been the most consistent player. If a contender will take him retained for a 1st then you can't say no to that

If Backlund isn't generating that kind of interest then keep him and award him the captaincy

Hand this team off to Pelletier, Coronato, Zary, Poirier and Wolf and the picks coming in

Do what you need to fetch the talent, then let it cook

This "iteration" of vets that have seen their best days isn't going anywhere

Pull off the band aid. Youth is fun, it means growth will come. And with that, hope.

And we can stop being butt end of jokes about being that team that signs ufa mercs to cling to dreams of 8th place

[devo22]

I would try to re-sign Lindholm and Hanifin long-term for sure. If you can't, you try to move them at the draft where I would suspect the offers would be best. Maybe even with an extension in place? Could probably fetch a really nice package.

Tanev and Zadorov, I'd keep them and move them at the deadline as rentals.

Backlund has earned to call his shot. Want to re-sign and be a Flame for life? That's more than okay for me. Want to go chase a cup? He more than earned that, and he'd frankly deserve it.

Toffoli, I'm not sure. I'd probably try to cash in on his career year and move him in the summer.

[Macho0978]

I'd keep Lindholm. Even though he likely gets paid, so is everyone else these days. Larkin wants $9M+, rumours Matthews wants $15M.

Even though there are tons of stats out there it still seems that points is what you get paid. I find player who bring more to the table are typically under paid. Lindholm is on pace for around 70 points. I could see him being around $9mil maybe slightly less. For what he brings to the table, that is a good contract.

Everyone else can go.

Backlund, Toffoli and Tanev IMO are must trade, unless the return is bad. Flames fans and management always seem to be married to their players. Trade these 3 and I bet we can avoid a lengthy rebuild.

Other teams are trading long time players away who have been much more successful than the ones we are moving. I just don't get why this team won't. NYR have an advantage, but looking at the devils I would love to see our franchise be that deep with that many options and that much youth playing at a high level.

[Parallex]

Keep Backlund (extend him and give him the "C"). Trade the rest. I have no attachment to the rest but I have a bunch for Backlund. If we're retooling for next year then a guy like Backlund who can play against the toughs will help and if we're rebuilding then I want him around as an example to follow for the incoming youth. Either way I think his value in remaining exceeds his value in trade.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Macho0978

I'd keep Lindholm. Even though he likely gets paid, so is everyone else these days. Larkin wants $9M+, rumours Matthews wants $15M.

Even though there are tons of stats out there it still seems that points is what you get paid. I find player who bring more to the table are typically under paid. Lindholm is on pace for around 70 points. I could see him being around $9mil maybe slightly less. For what he brings to the table, that is a good contract.

Everyone else can go.

Backlund, Toffoli and Tanev IMO are must trade, unless the return is bad. Flames fans and management always seem to be married to their players. Trade these 3 and I bet we can avoid a lengthy rebuild.

Other teams are trading long time players away who have been much more successful than the ones we are moving. I just don't get why this team won't. NYR have an advantage, but looking at the devils I would love to see our franchise be that deep with that many options and that much youth playing at a high level.

You assume Lindholm wants to stay.

[bigrangy]

Alternately, keep everyone, and since they’re all in contract years next year they will be extra motivated to dominate. Fix the goaltending and go for it.

It’s definitely a crossroads.

[Vinny01]

I think the team needs to sell off a good chunk of those players. There are ways I can see Lindholm or Hanifin staying but with Huberdeau, Kadri, and Weegar signed to big money long term I think it makes more sense to not add big money in that age bracket.

This team will not tankbuild but if they are able to get some great assets for any of the 6 mentioned players to make room for Zary and Coronato to join that would help. I think having a bunch of picks and cap flexibility opens the Flames to pounce when a RFA wants a 8x8 deal and his team can’t afford to keep him.

Selling off some of these guys is the path to retooling the team. I personally think Sutter and the team are going to “mutually part ways” this offseason so the team will shift to a younger lineup next year.

[DylanScores]

Originally Posted by TrentCrimmIndependent

Selling off Lindholm and Hanifin would be enough to Kickstart a rebuild. That's two 1sts and likely other prospects. 3 in the first round this year would be a nice influx of talent since the floor is high

Backlund has been the most consistent player. If a contender will take him retained for a 1st then you can't say no to that

If Backlund isn't generating that kind of interest then keep him and award him the captaincy

Hand this team off to Pelletier, Coronato, Zary, Poirier and Wolf and the picks coming in

Do what you need to fetch the talent, then let it cook

This "iteration" of vets that have seen their best days isn't going anywhere

Pull off the band aid. Youth is fun, it means growth will come. And with that, hope.

And we can stop being butt end of jokes about being that team that signs ufa mercs to cling to dreams of 8th place

I like what the TB GM did!
He stated that picks/draft picks doesn't win you a Stanley Cup but proven players do! Was it reckless ? It depends who you ask? But I agree with his mindset. I wish more GMs do this, it's more fun!

[Geeoff]

considering the price for middle 6 wingers right now, I would consider trading Toffoli before the deadline

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Geeoff

considering the price for middle 6 wingers right now, I would consider trading Toffoli before the deadline

To trade any of those 2024 UFAs now, you probably have to retain, for this year and next year. And the teams who are in the mix are limited. Do they want/need him and can they afford him even retained? Plus, since you can't extend them until next year (IIRC) it's unlikely Treliving has a feel for what they want or their willingness to stay so it's harder to plan.

The offseason will have a bigger market. Maybe less home run returns, though a team that thinks they can make a push might have better picks to give than current contenders.

[SuperMatt18]

I feel like the Flames and Carolina make a ton of sense. Carolina could use a scoring winger, and a physical d-man. Carolina has a ton of cap space next year (13 players signed for $53M - $30M of projected cap space).

Toffoli ($4.25M)
Zadorov ($2.75M - Flames retain $1M)

$7M Total Salary

for

2023 1st
2024 2nd (PHI)
2024 3rd (Conditional to 2nd of Carolina makes Stanley Cup Finals)
Ryan Suzuki (2019 1st - keep the Flames tradition of having the worse brother alive)

Carolina has the room to take on that $7M next year easily. Flames open up some cap room for the offseason and add some assets to either use in the draft or to use to re-tool.

[traptor]

You need to decide who you want to go forward with. I'd move at least 2 of them, 1D and 1F even if you want to stay competitive.

Forwards: Lindholm, Backlund and Toffoli.

Since you have Kadri signed long term you probably need to move one center. So either Lindholm or Backlund goes.
Then you need to decide who is your top 6 wingers. You control of have Huberdeau, Mang, Dube, Pelletier with Coronato coming up. Feels like you probably don't want toffoli locked up long term.

Defence: Tanev, Hanifin and Zadorov.

Tanev is by far the oldest and has the biggest injury history. I think he's the odd man out. Then I would keep Hanfin over Zadorov. Hanfin has been the more consistent top 4Defender and is younger.

Sooo.

Move at least one of but maybe both of Backlund and Toffoli.

Move at least one of but maybe both of Tanev and Zadorov.

[cam_wmh]

Who coaches them thru this re-build?

[Erick Estrada]

Hanafin is the only player on the list I don't shop hard over the summer. I would hate to see Backlund go but he's getting up there in age and deserves a chance to play for a Stanley Cup and I would hope to send him to a good team like the Avs, Canes, etc.

[traptor]

Originally Posted by cam_wmh

Who coaches them thru this re-build?

Doesn't have to be a rebuild. Moving 2 or 3 of these guys doesn't mean you can't compete. You can pick up a couple younger guys in the process and our current younger guys will continue to grow.

[jaginla]

Originally Posted by cam_wmh

Who coaches them thru this re-build?

A remorseful and reformed joel quennville

[Cycling76er]

Originally Posted by bigrangy

Mods can move this to the trade speculation thread if they want but I think it’s enough for a separate discussion, so it doesn’t clutter that one where people want actual rumours.

Let me know when that thread gets created.

[bubbsy]

Backlund - keep until retirement
Lindholm - depends on his ask. If he wants to be paid as a 1st line player trade him.
Hanafin - I see him and weegar as somewhat redundant players. I’d trade one of them depending on each’s trade value and what type of contract hanafin wants
Toffoli - trade
Zadorov - trade
Tanev - I’d see what his contracts demands are. Give Len that this team sucks when he’s not playing, if you decide to trade him, might as well trade all of the above too.