2017/2018 Trade Speculation and Rumors

[Toonage]

Originally Posted by bigrangy

Byron would be my target from the habs. Perfect third liner and he probably won’t take a premium asset to get.

Byron by all accounts was very popular in the room when he was with the Flames. Would fit in nicely on the 3L/4L. Love to see him back. You always worry about upsetting the balance with a late addition or deadline addition. Likely wouldn't happen here.

[ResAlien]

Originally Posted by Moneyhands23

Not sure why Pageau would be a good fit. He is a smallish forward with underwhelming offence. Is there something im missing?

Pageau, Byron, Skinner, you can never have too many undersized forwards. We really missed an opportunity when we didn’t sign Gerbe.

[Vinny01]

Aren’t the Flames looking for a top 6 guy? I don’t think they should target bottom 6 guys like Pageau, Byron, Smith etc.

Top 6 or stand pat

[SportsJunky]

As far as the Bennett saga goes, I am heartened by the progress MacKinnon made this year in Colorado. He has been a real force for that team. Perhaps the leading Hart candidate. Much of it came after Duchene was traded away. Sometimes it can’t be explained. A player takes the next step when he’s ready.

Also, I’m not comparing the two, skill-wise, I’m just saying that it wouldn’t be a huge surprise if Sam still took the next step and became an important player for the Flames. It ain’t over yet!

[SportsJunky]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

FWIW Friedman said on Edmonton radio yesterday that it is starting to look unlikely that the Sens will move Hoffman.

They will likely move Pageau and/or Smith.

I would support a move to get Pageau. He is a smart, defensively-minded C that can chip in offensively in spurts. Always liked the guy and I imagine the price tag wouldn’t be exorbitant. Not sure where he fits on the Flames though. Maybe if Backlund isn’t re-signing?

[icecube]

Originally Posted by SportsJunky

As far as the Bennett saga goes, I am heartened by the progress MacKinnon made this year in Colorado. He has been a real force for that team. Perhaps the leading Hart candidate. Much of it came after Duchene was traded away. Sometimes it can’t be explained. A player takes the next step when he’s ready.

Also, I’m not comparing the two, skill-wise, I’m just saying that it wouldn’t be a huge surprise if Sam still took the next step and became an important player for the Flames. It ain’t over yet!

Also look at Schenn and Couturier and the massive steps forward they took this year. Good things come to those who wait. Bennett will figure it out sooner than later.

[drewtastic]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

Aren’t the Flames looking for a top 6 guy? I don’t think they should target bottom 6 guys like Pageau, Byron, Smith etc.

Top 6 or stand pat

I think they need additions to both, although I’d agree that that top 6 player is probably the priority.

My hope is that the bottom 6 “add” comes internally, by shuffling people down the lines when Frolik returns. Of course, adding a top 6 would also help reshuffle the bottom 6...

Regardless, I’d like the 3rd & 4th lines to start showing more grit, be more physical and work to wear down the other team’s lines. Thinking back to 2004, guys like Nieminen, Nilson, Yelle, Donovan and Clark made it really tough on opponents with their speed and physical play. Our current third line is young, but I think they can become these types of players. While the fourth line gets, IMO, too much derision sometimes ‘round these parts, it’s still not injecting fear into anyone on other teams and could use an infusion of a Byron-type player. Again, hopefully one of the recently promoted farm hands fills this role, but if you could get such a player for a low cost, I think it’s worth it.

[PugnaciousIntern]

Ugh. Just remembered that we gave up Byron just to make sure that we didn't lose Ortio, Hiller, or Ramo.

He and Bouma really stirred the drink during 14-15. I don't miss Bouma much now, but Byron would really open up ice for our slow-ish bottom lines.

[Strange Brew]

If the Flames want to address an immediate need, they really need to focus on adding a PP guy. Although I’m not sure talent is really the issue.

[bzoo02]

Originally Posted by strange brew

if the flames want to address an immediate need, they really need to focus on adding a pp COACH. Although i’m not sure talent is really the issue.

fyp

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by SportsJunky

As far as the Bennett saga goes, I am heartened by the progress MacKinnon made this year in Colorado. He has been a real force for that team. Perhaps the leading Hart candidate. Much of it came after Duchene was traded away. Sometimes it can’t be explained. A player takes the next step when he’s ready.

Also, I’m not comparing the two, skill-wise, I’m just saying that it wouldn’t be a huge surprise if Sam still took the next step and became an important player for the Flames. It ain’t over yet!

This is a really good point.

The possibility is very much real that he could be dealt and then pull a Brayden Schenn. Though one wonders if Schenn breaks out this year if he wasn't dealt.

Sam is only 21 years of age and has all kinds of room for improvement. I do find the fact he could not effectively play C thus far troubling however.

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by bigrangy

The Flames don’t have the right pieces IMO

Probably something like Valimaki+C level prospect/4th liner/late pick but I don’t think Bergeron would go for that

Byron would be my target from the habs. Perfect third liner and he probably won’t take a premium asset to get.

Byron should require no asset to get
Because he shouldn't be a hab

[yourbestfriend]

The thing with Mackinnon, Schenn, and Couturier were that before the changes were made, they were still very very good players. Mackinnon was the 1C on the Aves, Schenn was a 2C and put up two 55pt+ seasons prior, and Couturier was an elite shutdown C who was on a 45pt pace his prior 2 seasons.
Bennett isn't really like any of them. He doesn't have the high end offense like Mackinnon, isn't as consistent and well rounded as Schenn, and doesn't have the elite defensive prowess of Couturier.

If he does indeed "breakout" at some point, it will not be with the Flames. It'll be extremely hard for him to take that step in Calgary while being on the 3rd line.

Edit. It would of been nice to put Bennett in Frolik's spot while he was injured. See what he can do with some better players.

[1qqaaz]

No thanks to anything less that a top 6 forward.

The Flames already have plenty of low-offence bottom 6 forwards.
Also, no thanks to UFAs or anyone over 30.

I would rather the Flames pay a lot for a good piece, than a medium amount for a mediocre piece.
I hope the Flames get someone with a consistent track record of 45+ points, or someone with upside.

[transplant99]

Rangers ready to blow it up according to Foster Brooks.

There is no ambivalence within management. The Blueshirts, we’re told on good authority, view the Feb. 26 trade deadline as a unique opportunity to refresh the roster and replenish the organization, regardless of where the club stands in relation to a playoff spot.

The mandate, approved (if not established) in the owner’s suite by Jim Dolan, is to build a Stanley Cup winner rather than to simply extend a seven-year playoff streak that is in jeopardy.

https://nypost.com/2018/01/26/mcdona...to-blow-it-up/

Given the source, its grain of salt time, but how good would Rick Nash look as a RW on this club?

Grabner is another guy that should garner a lot of attention.

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by transplant99

Rangers ready to blow it up according to Foster Brooks.




https://nypost.com/2018/01/26/mcdona...to-blow-it-up/

Given the source, its grain of salt time, but how good would Rick Nash look as a RW on this club?

Grabner is another guy that should garner a lot of attention.

Rick Nash on a 3rd line with Janko and Bennett appeals to me a great deal.

[oldschoolcalgary]

Originally Posted by Moneyhands23

Not sure why Pageau would be a good fit. He is a smallish forward with underwhelming offence. Is there something im missing?

well, with many of these trade proposals, beauty is in the eye of the beholder...

While JGP's regular season stats aren't overwhelming, i think he has shown an extra gear in the playoffs - albeit a small sample size...

i believe that the bottom 6 needs to be upgraded... everyone wants to add a top flight winger, however i simply don't see the Flames making such a major move at the deadline...

so you are left with secondary deals...like Pageau.... or standing pat.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by SportsJunky

As far as the Bennett saga goes, I am heartened by the progress MacKinnon made this year in Colorado. He has been a real force for that team. Perhaps the leading Hart candidate. Much of it came after Duchene was traded away. Sometimes it can’t be explained. A player takes the next step when he’s ready.

Also, I’m not comparing the two, skill-wise, I’m just saying that it wouldn’t be a huge surprise if Sam still took the next step and became an important player for the Flames. It ain’t over yet!

Mackinnon is definitely an interesting case study, but you have to admit that Bennett has never looked as good as MacKinnon did early in his career. Mackinnon has progressed definitely, but he has also "rebounded".

Bennett is so streaky. Question is whether he can ever be as good as he appears to be when he is at his best, and just how good is that exactly. A 20 goal, 50 point guy with some grit and energy?

[djsFlames]

Grabner. Isn't a high profile guy that'll require a hefty price tag but is scoring at a Monahan clip this year. This is the rental you are looking for. (if Hoffman is indeed unavailable)

[Samonadreau]

No rentals please. Cupboards are too empty. If it's someone worth re-signing that's a different story.