Matthew Tkachuk & Johnny Gaudreau Signing Watch Thread

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Flames_F.T.W

Backlund and Gaudreau were the only forwards who seem to be able to skate the puck through the neutral zone and drive play

Yep and one of those players is UFA. One of the big issues facing the team is that there are too many slow players in Tkachuk, Toffoli, Monahan that are expected to be offensive difference makers. Throw in slugs like Lucic and this is an extremely plodding forward group. It was why the Stars could effectively box out Flames forwards in the first series and in the second series the Oilers exposed them with their speed. I question the pro scouting as after Brouwer and Neal I'm very surprised they are still actively acquiring forwards that are poor skaters.

[Squirrel]

I want Tkachuk to leave just so I don't have to see his stupid mouth guard chewing anymore.
Also needs to stop trying to make the between the legs goals happen.

[DJones]

Originally Posted by Flames_F.T.W

IF they move Tkachuk (over contract issues) they absolutely have to get a player in return that can actually skate. Two of our main finishers (Tkachuk and Toffoli) are horrendous skaters.

Backlund and Gaudreau were the only forwards who seem to be able to skate the puck through the neutral zone and drive play

If you trade Tkachuk, you gotta go for a chance at an elite talent. Senators #7 OA or go for a Krebs types prospect.

Use the cap savings on another player

[chedder]

I just don't see us getting back anything near a haul for Tkachuk. He holds all the cards. Who is going to trade much for a guy on a 1 year 9 million dollar deal that is a ufa after next season? Why wouldn't they just wait and get him for free? We'll get something but it won't be anywhere near a replacement for his regular season production.

And I love Johnny for what he brings but I believe we watched his last game as a Flame last night.

This team is in a tough spot.

[Vinny01]

Why are people assuming Tkachuk has already signed his QO and is running to free agency?

If Tkachuk decides he is moving on teams that can sign him long term will be lining up. The Sens, Blues, Rangers, Bruins, Flyers, Devils, Islanders, Ducks, Kings and more will be all over getting him if he wants to go there.

A 24 year old coming off a top 8 scoring run with a 40 goal 100pt season under his belt. We either keep him and make him captain or get some young building blocks back in return.

Pierre Dorian traded Zibenijad and a 2nd for Derrick Brassard. He is desperate to get back to the playoffs. I think they would pay through the nose to get a second Tkachuk.

[Big Erned Nevergivn]

Still frustrated from last night BUT this team is the best flames team we have had in the 20 years I have been a flames fan. These two and lindholm stir the drink. We need to find a way to keep both of these guys long term.

[DJones]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

Why are people assuming Tkachuk has already signed his QO and is running to free agency?

If Tkachuk decides he is moving on teams that can sign him long term will be lining up. The Sens, Blues, Rangers, Bruins, Flyers, Devils, Islanders, Ducks, Kings and more will be all over getting him if he wants to go there.

A 24 year old coming off a top 8 scoring run with a 40 goal 100pt season under his belt. We either keep him and make him captain or get some young building blocks back in return.

Pierre Dorian traded Zibenijad and a 2nd for Derrick Brassard. He is desperate to get back to the playoffs. I think they would pay through the nose to get a second Tkachuk.

Ya if I was him I'd be signing my long term contract after a 100 point season. Be quite the risk to go for a one year contract now.

Ottawa makes sense to me as well. 7OA +?. Good starting point.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by NewFan

I think Tkachuk may be traded to STL. Tarasenko, A prospect and draft pick?
We have Toffoli Coleman and a couple RW in AHL to play RW next year.

You spelled Kyrou wrong. Tkachuk would be a huge marketing gift for the Blues, they want him they pay through the nose.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by GordonBlue

I think his value isn't as high as you think because he gets 9 million next year and then is an UFA. Add in that you know it won't be an easy contract negotiation. He also isn't a great skater and I don't think his play will age well, even if he does mature away from his antics.

Why would teams give up the farm for that?

NJ would be far better off just throwing a pile of money at Gaudreau instead.

What makes you think the Devil's will get the chance to throw money at Gaudreau? He isn't going anywhere.

[Joborule]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Yep and one of those players is UFA. One of the big issues facing the team is that there are too many slow players in Tkachuk, Toffoli, Monahan that are expected to be offensive difference makers. Throw in slugs like Lucic and this is an extremely plodding forward group. It was why the Stars could effectively box out Flames forwards in the first series and in the second series the Oilers exposed them with their speed. I question the pro scouting as after Brouwer and Neal I'm very surprised they are still actively acquiring forwards that are poor skaters.

Definitely what's been exposed in this playoffs is that the Flames forwards are too slow. And with the amount of goals in the NHL this season, the league is getting faster, not slower.

It's why I have a hard time having Tkachuk as your main guy on the roster. As said, he's a good complementary piece, but he's not a gamebreaker who makes things happen every time the puck is on his stick. He's not the guy that will carry your roster. Not with his skating ability. He can be defended since the rest of his skill set is not enough to make up for his lack of speed.

Having two complementary players as your top two most expensive pieces for several plus years is hard to handle, because it keeps the ceiling pretty low. That's why I think you gotta keep the more dynamic one in Gaudreau, and get as much as you can from Tkachuk now to at least fill out your roster more, and get strong future pieces.

Flames focus this offseason should be about asset management, and bringing in speed to the forward group.

[Johnny Makarov]

Originally Posted by DJones

Ya if I was him I'd be signing my long term contract after a 100 point season. Be quite the risk to go for a one year contract now.

Ottawa makes sense to me as well. 7OA +?. Good starting point.

We would be an ABSOLUTE moron not to sign a long term deal after this season.

and then he should give Johnny half of it..

[Flames_F.T.W]

Originally Posted by DJones

Ya if I was him I'd be signing my long term contract after a 100 point season. Be quite the risk to go for a one year contract now.

Ottawa makes sense to me as well. 7OA +?. Good starting point.

That's actually a really good point that I haven't really considered. The odds of Tkachuk having consecutive 100pt seasons is highly unlikely, so there will be pressure on him to agree to an extension this year. If Gaudreau leaves or Tkachuk has a mediocre season next year, he could lose out on millions

[DJones]

Originally Posted by Flames_F.T.W

That's actually a really good point that I haven't really considered. The odds of Tkachuk having consecutive 100pt seasons is highly unlikely, so there will be pressure on him to agree to an extension this year. If Gaudreau leaves or Tkachuk has a mediocre season next year, he could lose out on millions

Gotta think the top line gets broken up as well next year.

Offensive depth just dried up in the playoffs. We need to be a 3 line team. If he's carrying his own line, 100 points is highly unlikely.

[Icantwhisper]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

What makes you think the Devil's will get the chance to throw money at Gaudreau? He isn't going anywhere.

The fact that they will get the opportunity to negotiate one week before he goes UFA, Gaudreau would be stupid to sign before he's seen the other offers.
We don't know the Flames offer and we don't know the other offers out there, signing before you do know would be stupid

[Tacoman]

Tkachuk and Hanifin for Norris and Batherson. Do it.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by Tacoman

Tkachuk and Hanifin for Norris and Batherson. Do it.

Ottawa adds

104pt forward who is 24 and 48pt Dman who is 25 are worth more than some guys who are still mostly potential

[calgaryred]

Tkachuk and Gaudreau have been great these playoffs they have done way more than I thought they would. They have minimum playoff experience and still had great games. I do believe in my heart Gaudreau will stay, I think he will be paid handsomely. Tkachuk I believe is too unpredictable and will be in a huge trade, I hope it's better than what we got for Gilmour and Phaneuf.

[Johnny Makarov]

Originally Posted by Tacoman

Tkachuk and Hanifin for Norris and Batherson. Do it.

This. 1 million times out of 1 million times.

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

What makes you think the Devil's will get the chance to throw money at Gaudreau? He isn't going anywhere.

For a guy you keep saying is going no where, there hasn't been any indication he's signing a contract either, otherwise, he would have, you know, signed a contract.

Johnny took a risk playing out this season without a contract going forward. if it was essentially a "done deal" as you allude to, Johnny would have already signed and taken that risk away. There is no logical reason for him waiting to sign, unless he wanted to use the UFA leverage in getting the most money possible.

He may sign with Calgary, but there is certainly a chance he signs elsewhere. He won't come cheap, if he comes at all.

[Tacoman]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

Ottawa adds

104pt forward who is 24 and 48pt Dman who is 25 are worth more than some guys who are still mostly potential

Wow. Check out the year both of those guys had. Point a game players who are both younger than Tkachuk, both are around 6'3" and most importantly, both are great skaters. I do that trade even up. I'd even throw in Ottawa boy Sean Monohan.