2014/2015 Trade Speculation and Rumors

[codynw]

Originally Posted by Dienasty

The Flames biggest issue is not having a second line.

I think the Flames should make a push to get Ryan O'Reilly to be the second line center.

I would offer Wideman+Colborne and a 2nd

Or Colborne and a 1st.

With O'Reilly and Bennett on the second line we would have another threat that teams would have to deal with.

No thanks. O'Reilly is UFA next summer, and he will want to get paid.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by Dienasty

The Flames biggest issue is not having a second line.

Actually, it's not having a big #3 defenseman of the calibre of a Leddy / Hjarlmarsson / Boychuk / Muzzin etc.

[Fighting Banana Slug]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

Actually, it's not having a big #3 defenseman of the calibre of a Leddy / Hjarlmarsson / Boychuk / Muzzin etc.

This. I think getting a guy of that calibre would be amazing. In particular a Boychuk/Muzzin that can be more of a physical presence. Our top 4 have been great, but we need to cut back the minutes a bit, so that they can be more effective over the course of an entire season.

Second line could use some work, but at least there is some potential that Backlund/Colborne can improve offensively, and Bennett/Poirier could step in next year and contribute as well.

[Dienasty]

Originally Posted by codynw

No thanks. O'Reilly is UFA next summer, and he will want to get paid.

And the Flames have the cap space to pay him...

Look at the Flames scoring leaders... it is the first line, 4-D men then Bouma, not really intimidating. Backlund/Bouma/Jones is a great third line but the Flames don't have another offensive threat after the top line. O Reilly will not only be a huge help offensively, but he is a two way player who while on the road can match up against opposing top line to give Monahan a bit of a break.

As for D men being the issue, Engelland has played alright and with Gio back that is a pretty awesome top 5. Flames have Schlemko/Diaz/Wotherspoon who can be 6-7. I think the Flames are doing pretty well on the point. I don't think our D is the issue, it is actually the biggest strength on the team.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by Dienasty

And the Flames have the cap space to pay him...

Look at the Flames scoring leaders... it is the first line, 4-D men then Bouma, not really intimidating. Backlund/Bouma/Jones is a great third line but the Flames don't have another offensive threat after the top line. O Reilly will not only be a huge help offensively, but he is a two way player who while on the road can match up against opposing top line to give Monahan a bit of a break.

As for D men being the issue, Engelland has played alright and with Gio back that is a pretty awesome top 5. Flames have Schlemko/Diaz/Wotherspoon who can be 6-7. I think the Flames are doing pretty well on the point. I don't think our D is the issue, it is actually the biggest strength on the team.

ROR is overrated. The Avs can continue to overpay him.

I agree on the poster that said we should OS Saad. He would be a fantastic 2nd liner, and would help with the secondary scoring by a long shot. Easily worst a 1st round pick and maybe a 2nd/3rd as well.

[Sylvanfan]

The Flames have heaps of cap space for next season....but how much will they have to start the 2016 season? I wouldn't go hog wild this summer getting guys with too much term just yet. I think I'd want to determine how my 2016-17 numbers look, than see what fits without messing up that up.

[PeteMoss]

No offer sheets. The Flames aren't the Blackhawks or Blues who can be assured of picking late in the draft. You don't want to give up a potential lottery pick for someone unless its an elite player.

[chockfullofgoodness]

Originally Posted by Dienasty

The Flames biggest issue is not having a second line.

I think the Flames should make a push to get Ryan O'Reilly to be the second line center.

I would offer Wideman+Colborne and a 2nd

Or Colborne and a 1st.

With O'Reilly and Bennett on the second line we would have another threat that teams would have to deal with.

We drafted Bennett as a center. I think we should develop him as a center. Wasn't that the whole point of drafting a natural center 4th overall?

[codynw]

Originally Posted by Dienasty

And the Flames have the cap space to pay him...

Look at the Flames scoring leaders... it is the first line, 4-D men then Bouma, not really intimidating. Backlund/Bouma/Jones is a great third line but the Flames don't have another offensive threat after the top line. O Reilly will not only be a huge help offensively, but he is a two way player who while on the road can match up against opposing top line to give Monahan a bit of a break.

The Flames have cap space now. What happens when they need that cap space to re-sign Giordano, Gaudreau, Monahan, Bennett and whoever else?

[JohnnySkittles]

Originally Posted by Dienasty

The Flames biggest issue is not having a second line.

I think the Flames should make a push to get Ryan O'Reilly to be the second line center.

I would offer Wideman+Colborne and a 2nd

Or Colborne and a 1st.

With O'Reilly and Bennett on the second line we would have another threat that teams would have to deal with.

Would love ROR on this team, however he would cost an arm and a leg and we would just be creating a new hole by getting him from what we'd have to give up to get him.

Better off just hoping he makes it to UFA and sign him. Though I doubt he would given our center depth.

[Jason14h]

What happens when they need that cap space to re-sign Giordano, Gaudreau, Monahan, Bennett and whoever else?

Smid, Stajan, Jones, Hiller are all gone and we pay them?

[mdubz]

Wouldn't mind dealing one of our 3rds for ROR's rights and then signing him. We have tons of cap space and he brings a great compete level, which would fit in perfectly.

[Anduril]

Originally Posted by Caged Great

I was meaning that Vlasic would be the Flames #3, not that he's a #3.

Anyway, I think that is the main piece that the Flames need to target moving into next year, a defenseman that is better than Russell and Wideman, but not quite as good as Brodie and Gio.

As for secondary scoring, that will sort itself out when Bennett and Poirier likely make the jump next year. Calgary is already one of the top scoring teams in the league, so adding to the secondary scoring, while nice, it isn't vital.

That's a pretty short list of players to go after. After how well Russell and Wideman have played, the bar has been raised. Just load up on D with prospects and continue to hunt for more Russell's. Somebody like McQuaid could be a worthwhile gamble even with his injury history.

Also, no to big free agent signings unless they're complimentary guy on a reasonable deal similar to Wideman/Hudler. No that I'm hoping for the same kind of success we've had with both guys but the cap space we have is an illusion. Backlund due for a solid raise if we decide to keep him, Monahan and Gaudreau needing deals after next season, as well as the possibility of keeping Hudler or not and what that might cost. Add in any other considerations like Russell and Bouma in the next couple years and you start having a basis for a quality team for years.

At this point you continue to add depth and keeping the gems that you find. Eventually serviceable NHLers like Jones and Raymond are let go or moved out. Maybe former young favourites like Granlund for example, are superseded by a surprise prospect. Say no to big game hunting.

[Dienasty]

Originally Posted by codynw

The Flames have cap space now. What happens when they need that cap space to re-sign Giordano, Gaudreau, Monahan, Bennett and whoever else?

Stajan/Wideman/Hudler/Jones/Raymond and Smid contracts will come off the books...

[Dienasty]

Originally Posted by chockfullofgoodness

We drafted Bennett as a center. I think we should develop him as a center. Wasn't that the whole point of drafting a natural center 4th overall?

O Reilly shifted to the wing in Colorado last year, and if Bennett pushed him to the wing he could do it again.

[psyang]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Predators sign KHL free agent Steve Moses to 1 yr $1 mil deal

http://predators.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=762178

Essentially the Mike Cammalleri of the KHL

Low risk high reward type signing for the Predators

Clear sign the Preds are scared of the Flames. Who better than Moses to part the Red C?

[Anduril]

Originally Posted by Dienasty

Stajan/Wideman/Hudler/Jones/Raymond and Smid contracts will come off the books...

Stajan 3.125 until 2018
Wideman 5.250 until 2017
Hudler 4.000 until 2016 (worth keeping?)
Jones 4.000 until 2016
Raymond 3.150 until 2017
Smid 3.500 until 2017

So by the 2017-18 season, excluding Hudler because I'd like to keep him if he remains to be a top 6 player and a key locker room presence, we'll have about 10M off the books. Currently 13M in capspace.

Things to account for

Backlund RFA 2015
Monahan RFA 2016
Gaudreau RFA 2016
Bouma RFA 2015
Bennett RFA 2018
Giordano UFA 2016
Russell UFA 2016
Brodie new contract +2.5M next season

Between Backlund, Monahan, and Gaudreau, we're looking at upwards of an extra 10M depending on how Treliving decides to bridge these guys, plus an extra season to consider before any final numbers.
Gio will probably get an extra high cap, short contract like 8mx4, Russell will command close to 4M if not more. Another 8 total including Brodie's new extension kicking in. Suddenly we've already eaten the extra capspace from the older bodies leave and into our current cap space. This doesn't take into consideration the need to replace the players we've lost through the odd UFA as well as increasing our defensive depth.

[Husky]

More than happy if the flames went into next year with the same roster except for Raymond and potentially bollig.

[Dienasty]

Originally Posted by Anduril

Stajan 3.125 until 2018
Wideman 5.250 until 2017
Hudler 4.000 until 2016 (worth keeping?)
Jones 4.000 until 2016
Raymond 3.150 until 2017
Smid 3.500 until 2017

So by the 2017-18 season, excluding Hudler because I'd like to keep him if he remains to be a top 6 player and a key locker room presence, we'll have about 10M off the books. Currently 13M in capspace.

Things to account for

Backlund RFA 2015
Monahan RFA 2016
Gaudreau RFA 2016
Bouma RFA 2015
Bennett RFA 2018
Giordano UFA 2016
Russell UFA 2016
Brodie new contract +2.5M next season

Between Backlund, Monahan, and Gaudreau, we're looking at upwards of an extra 10M depending on how Treliving decides to bridge these guys, plus an extra season to consider before any final numbers.
Gio will probably get an extra high cap, short contract like 8mx4, Russell will command close to 4M if not more. Another 8 total including Brodie's new extension kicking in. Suddenly we've already eaten the extra capspace from the older bodies leave and into our current cap space. This doesn't take into consideration the need to replace the players we've lost through the odd UFA as well as increasing our defensive depth.

Gio will cost us (key piece), Backlund can be replaced by Arnold/Jankowski or Granlund. Monahan and Gaudreau are key pieces so you pay them but they are RFA's so you have significant leverage, Bouma you would like to keep but Wolf/Hathaway/Ferland can fill in.

Engelland and his 3M come off in 2017, Hiller and his 4.5 come off next year and Ramo and his 3M this year, not to mention we have 13M free per hockey buzz which includes 28 players we only need to carry 23. Also the cap has historically gone up (every year so far).

If the Hawks can pay Keith/Seabrook/Toews/Kane/Hjalmarrson/Sharp the Flames can afford Gio/Brodie/Monahan/Gaudreau/Bennett in 4-5 years

[chockfullofgoodness]

Originally Posted by Dienasty

O Reilly shifted to the wing in Colorado last year, and if Bennett pushed him to the wing he could do it again.

Gotcha. I thought O Reilly was still a center, and you thought Bennett should play wing. My bad.