[Rumour] Friedman: Flames aggressive in trade market. Getting calls on Hudler.

[Riles]

Originally Posted by GoJetsGo

Has there been any info leaked about Mantha and the Wings? He seems to have fallen out of favour after putting up just 15g 33a in 60 games in the AHL after such a dominant end to his time in the CHL. He was looking like a steal of a pick a year ago and now there's been several rumours about Detroit being unhappy with his progress...

He's an intriguing player with his size and scoring ability, but it seems like a red flag that Detroit is even entertaining moving him.

Someone I know - former NHLer - who is involved in the game said Mantha is still playing like a junior and that's the issue.

[H2SO4(aq)]

Originally Posted by Tinordi

Great post, you can be a fan, love certain players and still see the hockey ops side of things.

Originally Posted by Mattman

Amen.

There's so many "what ifs" to trading Hudler but at the end of the day its still about winning the cup. Not memories of that one season we made it to the 2nd round.

Separate feelings from business and look to improve your team.

Yep. I think this season in particular will be a tough one because of how emotional it was for fans, players, and likely management/coaches (as evidenced by treliving hugging each player after we clinched). But at the end of the day Treliving is going to have to detach himself from some of that and make moves that are in the best interest of the team. It may not be easy, but its what winning hockey/sports franchises do.

[Vinny01]

Sounds like Treliving is doing a good job getting everything ready for the draft. Trading Hudler for a big return is something i certainly would approve of.

Gio, Brodie, Johnny, Monahan, Bennett are core pieces and everyone else is movable for a price

[GranteedEV]

The ideal scenario would be this:

Keep Hudler until trade deadline
Flip Hudler for Madison Bowey
Promote Madison Bowey to #3D where he succeeds.
Re-Sign Hudler for 16m/4yr at 2016 offseason.
Laugh at any GM who would trade Bowey for 2 months of Jiri Hudler.

[Oil Stain]

It would make sense to trade Hudler for a defenseman or a slightly younger roster player.

His value is as high as it is ever going to be.

I wouldn't trade him for picks and prospects.

[troutman]

I'd keep him and use all the picks we already have.

[heep223]

Originally Posted by H2SO4(aq)

I will be mighty sad when hudler leaves. He scored probably the best empty net goal I've ever seen, never been so choked up during a hockey game than that.

That was an amazing moment for the franchise. One of the most fun nights of my life really. So awesome

[heep223]

I feel like I would be ok with trading Hudler straight up for a young top 4 defenceman. A hockey deal. So rare to see those these days.

[troutman]

Hudler is very valuable. 2nd in the NHL in even strength points. Big part of the leadership group. There is not much I would trade him for.

Johnny and Monahan will not produce as much without him.

[PrettyBoyFlizzy]

If we get a good return for Hulder I would deal him as well. The one thing we need to be careful of this time around is not getting career losers and players who are accustomed to playing on losing teams like Olli Jokinen and Jay Bouwmeester.

Hudler was brought up in Detroit and the culture of winning and doing it the right way, that rubs off on the guys.

Adding a bit more power and speed will help this team big time going forward.

[Badgers Nose]

There could be players drafted from 10-20 this year that crack their teams opening night lineup. If Flames can load up on picks by moving a couple of key contributors from last year such as Hudler then I think it's worth it.

I've got faith in the talent pool to make up the lost production. The committee approach worked good this year.

Also, I expect Money, Johnny and Sam to continue to make steps forward in their development. And I think Poirier makes the team. They might not be top ten in goals, but I don't see them falling off the face of the earth

[J79]

If you trade Hudler, you're not only trading a very consitent, never injured warrior, you also trade a part of Monahan and Gaudreau... and leadership... and a great locker room guy.
There's just no way you can replace that with any trade.
Sure, it remains to be seen if he can continue his play but I think he earned a chance.
Hudler should be as untouchable as Monahan, Gaudreau, Giordano, Brodie and Bennett. At least until the trade deadline.

It just makes no sense to trade your MVP... We're already ~6 months past that point in the rebuild.

[RyZ]

Originally Posted by JohnnySkittles

No chance Washington does that IMO. Hudler's great, but Alzner is in his prime and Wilson is an up and coming power forward for them.

Let me guess.....the Flames would have to include Monahan and/or Bennett in any package to aquire those players.

[stemit14]

I prefer the idea of only trading hudler if it feels like a massive overpayment by the other team. Someone has mentioned Mantha + Detroit's 1st round pick. I don't think Detroit would ever do that but that is the kind of overpayment in thinking of. Treliving should not be in any hurry to trade hudler and should need to be blown away by an offer before considering it.

[JohnnySkittles]

I'd really rather see us resign him, high dollars for low term. He seems to be a huge mentor to Monahan and Gaudreau, he makes that line click

[heep223]

Originally Posted by JohnnySkittles

No chance Washington does that IMO. Hudler's great, but Alzner is in his prime and Wilson is an up and coming power forward for them.

Disagree. I think there could be a fit there. Maybe Hudler for Alzner straight up? That being said I don't know about the Caps D depth or detailed cap situation. If they have some d prospects in the pipe, it could work.

Hudler is ideal trade bait for a team like Washington, who could use a boost in secondary scoring to push them over the edge to being an contender. They are trying to win now. Only one year left at $4M so it doesn't handcuff them long term. Productive, fairly young still, can work wonders on PP. Has won before and developed in a winning culture. He'd be a great fit there and it looks like they have quite a bit of cap space. They even have some middle six RW that are UFA that Hudler would be a huge upgrade on and he could immediately step into the depth chart.

I know Alzner is a prized asset but you have to give up something significant if you're going to trade for a top ten point producing top line RW. Alzner is exactly what the Flames need, a steady #3 two way defenceman who can skate, and that would put our back end as one of the best in the league if not the best. It'd be even better if we could get Carlson but that may be a pipe dream...

[Jacks]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

The ideal scenario would be this:

Keep Hudler until trade deadline
Flip Hudler for Madison Bowey
Promote Madison Bowey to #3D where he succeeds.
Re-Sign Hudler for 16m/4yr at 2016 offseason.
Laugh at any GM who would trade Bowey for 2 months of Jiri Hudler.

Barring a major regression or injury he is going to get a lot more money (and probably term) than that.

[stemit14]

I prefer the idea of only trading hudler if it feels like a massive overpayment by the other team. Someone has mentioned Mantha + Detroit's 1st round pick. I don't think Detroit would ever do that but that is the kind of overpayment I'm thinking of. Treliving should not be in any hurry to trade hudler and should need to be blown away by an offer before considering it.

[JohnnySkittles]

Originally Posted by heep223

Disagree. I think there could be a fit there. Maybe Hudler for Alzner straight up? That being said I don't know about the Caps D depth or detailed cap situation. If they have some d prospects in the pipe, it could work.

Green is all but assured gone, Orpik was surprisingly good but his best years are behind him, that leaves Niskanen, Carlson and Alzner as your top 3 which is pretty solid, but take Alzner out and it's very thin. They do have Bowey coming up who looks promising, but you can't throw a rookie defender into a top four role.

Hudler is ideal trade bait for a team like Washington, who could use a boost in secondary scoring to push them over the edge to being an contender. They are trying to win now. Only one year left at $4M so it doesn't handcuff them long term. Productive, fairly young still, can work wonders on PP. Has won before and developed in a winning culture. He'd be a great fit there and it looks like they have quite a bit of cap space. They even have some middle six RW that are UFA that Hudler would be a huge upgrade on and he could immediately step into the depth chart.

I really don't think they're in a position where they can be trading top 4 defense for more offense. Backstrom and Ovi will continue to be the main horses, Burakovsky and Kuznetsov are up and coming studs who should be able to provide good secondary scoring, and then you have guys like Johansson, Ward, Brouwer. Getting Hudler isn't a need for them IMO.

I know Alzner is a prized asset but you have to give up something significant if you're going to trade for a top ten point producing top line RW. Alzner is exactly what the Flames need, a steady #3 two way defenceman who can skate, and that would put our back end as one of the best in the league if not the best. It'd be even better if we could get Carlson but that may be a pipe dream...

He's exactly what the Flames need yes, but in that same breath he's just what the Caps need, so why give him up? Hudler's great, but it's just not a fit.

Originally Posted by RyZ

Let me guess.....the Flames would have to include Monahan and/or Bennett in any package to aquire those players.

No, he's not worth that much. I appreciate the tone though.

Green is all but assured gone, Orpik was surprisingly good but his best years are behind him, that leaves Niskanen, Carlson and Alzner as your top 3 which is pretty solid, but take Alzner out and it's very thin. They do have Bowey coming up who looks promising, but you can't throw a rookie defender into a top four role.

And then adding in Wilson along with it, no chance. He's their Ferland, but with more potential and further along.

The best spot for him would be a place that's desperate for offense, or if we're on the outside looking in at the trade deadline. IMO

[heep223]

Originally Posted by JohnnySkittles

No, he's not worth that much. I appreciate the tone though.

Green is all but assured gone, Orpik was surprisingly good but his best years are behind him, that leaves Niskanen, Carlson and Alzner as your top 3 which is pretty solid, but take Alzner out and it's very thin.

Why is Green all but gone? He's been quoted as saying that he's staying I believe.