Summer 2016 - Huge Offseason

[Samonadreau]

It's the calm before the storm. Tons of story-lines this summer and pretty soon we will be able to do more than just speculate with this building up to be one of the biggest offseasons ever for the Flames.

From your perspective, what is the most important of these story lines for the Flames to hit an absolute home run on this offseason?

(In no particular order)

1. New Head coach

2. New Starting Goaltender

3. 2016 Draft

4. Monahan/Gaudreau Extensions

5. Other (which other)

[Enoch Root]

In the short term, the starting goalie is probably the biggest.

Over the longer term, it's probably the coach (because the goalie might be replaced by one of our prospects anyway).

The Monahan and Gaudreau contracts will take care of themselves - Treliving has shown to be very prudent on that front.

And as far as the draft goes, I trust the scouting staff. And at the end of the day, the draft is mostly a game of chance.

[codynw]

Tie between coach and goalie. Voted goalie, because I don't want this team to be stuck in mediocrity because they never find a replacement for Kipper.

[Monahan For Mayor]

Goalie.

[Fire of the Phoenix]

Home run goalie acquisition means we get Murray so I picked that.

[Enoch Root]

Based on the wording of the poll (if you could hit an absolute home run), then I would choose the draft for sure.

A home run draft can set a team up for a decade.

[RyZ]

Home run on the new G would produce the most points in the standings, so Ill go that way.

[Poe969]

Wemt with other, UFA market or trade. Trade up to the 3 pick or get another good young player through trade to build around OR sign 2 high end UFA's to good deals like Lucic, Perron, okposo, backes and the list goes on. I feel this team will find a good goalie soon anyway. Adding key players for nothing is a great way to build a good team.

[Samonadreau]

I had to go with the Head coach myself. With this young developing team - if BT can find the perfect fit that can get a few extra gears out of the team and get them set up with a better defensive system and special teams than it sets up the foundation to mold this young skilled team.

Goaltender and draft were probably tied for 2nd for me

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

The Monahan and Gaudreau contracts will take care of themselves - Treliving has shown to be very prudent on that front.

I would argue he has shown to be better at trades than signings and contracts.

I voted goalie. If he somehow lands a young franchise goalie that would be amazing.

[Par]

Originally Posted by Samonadreau

It's the calm before the storm. Tons of story-lines this summer and pretty soon we will be able to do more than just speculate with this building up to be one of the biggest offseasons ever for the Flames.

From your perspective, what is the most important of these story lines for the Flames to hit an absolute home run on this offseason?

(In no particular order)

1. New Head coach

2. New Starting Goaltender

3. 2016 Draft

4. Monahan/Gaudreau Extensions

5. Other (which other)

A very good goaltender and a head coach that can get extra gears out of this team and help them build are the top things. A couple of top 6 forwards(preferably RW's), should also be on the top of list.

[greentree]

Very interesting poll question. I went with draft, for reason cited by Enoch Root.

[UKflames]

I went draft as well because that could include trading picks for a goalie at the draft, so two birds with one stone

[Itse]

"Absolute home run" for a goalie in my books would be a top tier goaltender capable of carrying the team for years. Which is easily the biggest advantage a team could have.

[jmac98]

I believe a goalie is the most important piece here as well. If that is not properly addressed and is an issue this year once again, then this particular problem will have carried over across two seasons and have a multitude of failed resolutions against the GM on topic.

A new coach and the systems and style they bring is obviously of great importance, but it was not a particular highlighted issue heading into this off season to address. The firing of Hartley was almost a bit of a surprise at the time it transpired.

The new coach will get a bit of leeway to allow the team to learn and buy into his systems. So even if the coach selected turns out to be the wrong choice, it won't be fully realized or scrutinized with validity until a later time. By contrast, if the wrong goalie is selected - especially at a cost - it's only going to pile on to not properly addressing the situation last year and will as such garner a lot more attention to it now being a two time failed problem.

[Fischy13]

Has to be draft or goalie, those are the only options that could last 10+ years. A coach has a max life of 3, maybe 4 years. As was pointed out, draft could produce a trade for goalie. Draft it is by a mile.

[Gaudfather]

Goalie - full stop! (pun intended)

[SuperMatt18]

Voted the Gaudreau & Monahan contracts.

Those are the biggest factors long term to us being a contender.

Not a surprise that Chicago was dominant when they had Toews and Kane on sweetheart deals.

A big part of the Sharks success this year is Couture, Pavelski, and Burns all playing way above their pay grade.

[flambers]

I selected "New Starting Goalie", organization desperately requires a true #1 goalie to be competitive within the West. With below average goaltending, Flames are a lottery team

Coaches is another aspect, which needs to be done correctly. This would be my second pick.

Monahan/Gaudreau are RFAs, therefore I would not consider it a homerun. Key aspect around the contracts are the term and value.

2016 Draft is hard to predict, most likely will take years before its known if the Flames had a quality draft

[TheScorpion]

Goaltender, every day.