[Signing] Chicago signs Artemi Panarin

[Lanny_McDonald]

All those extra 2nd round picks the Flames have will make solid trade bait for a team needing to move a salary. Calgary could really improve their lineup without hurting the future in any way this off season. Should be interesting.

[flamesfan55]

Originally Posted by New Era

All those extra 2nd round picks the Flames have will make solid trade bait for a team needing to move a salary. Calgary could really improve their lineup without hurting the future in any way this off season. Should be interesting.

As much as that's true, we have said and heard this for the last 3 years. I am still waiting for the Flames to make even just one salary cap trade.

[T@T]

Originally Posted by flamesfan55

As much as that's true, we have said and heard this for the last 3 years. I am still waiting for the Flames to make even just one salary cap trade.

Unless it's someone with only a year left I hope they stay away, after next season big contracts are going to be signed, Monahan,Gaudreau, Gio and Russell to name just a few.

[Funkhouser]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

The way ELC performance bonuses are structured, to get full max bonuses as a forward he would need to meet 4 of these criteria:

1. ice time among top 6 forwards (minimum 42 games played)
2. 20+ goals
3. 35+ assists
4. 60+ points
5. 0.73+ points per game
6. among top 3 forwards in plus/minus
7. selected to play or plays in the all star game

and also be up for a major NHL award such as the Hart, Selke, Richard, Byng, Conn Smythe and/or be in the NHL's top 10 in goals, assists, points or PPG.

Did Gaudreau hit all of these targets??

[flamesfan55]

Originally Posted by T@T

Unless it's someone with only a year left I hope they stay away, after next season big contracts are going to be signed, Monahan,Gaudreau, Gio and Russell to name just a few.

Well Atlanta cashed in with getting Ladd from Chicago so the possibilities are out there I guess.

[Da_Chief]

I'd like Patty Sharp from the Hawks. Granlund and later of the 3 2nds?

[Red Menace]

The Flames seem aware that they need to upgrade their 2nd-3rd line wingers, which is a good thing.

[Da_Chief]

Originally Posted by Red Menace

The Flames seem aware that they need to upgrade their 2nd-3rd line wingers, which is a good thing.

I would say the 2nd line wingers. 3rd line we have plenty of options. Down the middle we have Monahan, Backlund, Bennett, Stajan next year. Jooris, Colborne, Ferland, Bouma, Bollig, Jones, Shore and Byron if re-signed. Thats 8 guys who can play bottom 6 wings and 4 of them who can sub in at center too.

I also think the top line will need to be broken up next year. Hudler will have to come off of it as the league will make adjustments and we need to be proactive. Plus I like Hudler playing with a rookie every year.

Gaudreau-Monahan-?
Hudler-Bennett-?
Bouma-Backlund-Jones/Jooris
Ferland-Stajan-Colborne/Jooris
Shore/Bollig

Will be easier said then done but we will have to look at trades as UFA will cost a ton. Some teams we should target are Hawks, Blues, Rangers etc.

[skudr248]

This guy would have been awesome on the Flames (only based on my limited youtube scouting). Pretty dynamic player

[neo45]

I wonder if this means the Flames could package some of their extra picks to trade for Andrew Shaw?

[Fire of the Phoenix]

Originally Posted by Da_Chief

I would say the 2nd line wingers. 3rd line we have plenty of options. Down the middle we have Monahan, Backlund, Bennett, Stajan next year. Jooris, Colborne, Ferland, Bouma, Bollig, Jones, Shore and Byron if re-signed. Thats 8 guys who can play bottom 6 wings and 4 of them who can sub in at center too.

I also think the top line will need to be broken up next year. Hudler will have to come off of it as the league will make adjustments and we need to be proactive. Plus I like Hudler playing with a rookie every year.

Gaudreau-Monahan-?
Hudler-Bennett-?
Bouma-Backlund-Jones/Jooris
Ferland-Stajan-Colborne/Jooris
Shore/Bollig

Will be easier said then done but we will have to look at trades as UFA will cost a ton. Some teams we should target are Hawks, Blues, Rangers etc.

Can't see the Flames moving Hudler to LW anytime soon. Also, I don't see Ferland on the 4th Line, no reason he can't be a staple on the 3rd line. It's looking like Jooris probably won't have a spot on the team soon with Poirier on the horizon. Backlund, Shore and Jooris could all realistically be trade bait this summer, in addition to picks. I wonder if some of those pieces are enough to bring in a top line RW? Looking around the league, probably not a lot available in a trade. Guys like Oshie, Hossa and Sharp strike me as available but not sure if they are a fit. I wonder if Treliving targets Stafford in FA? Hudler-Stafford-Jones looks pretty good as your top 3 RW, and it would leave our trade chips available to be moved for a top 4 dman.

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by flamesfan55

As much as that's true, we have said and heard this for the last 3 years. I am still waiting for the Flames to make even just one salary cap trade.

Sure. And apparently they had one last year agreed to - to get Riberio from Phoenix plus a pick. But Ribs wouldn't waive to come to Calgary so it feel through.
They were also close on Ward+ from Carolina.

Just because we haven't seen a deal like this doesn't mean they can't happen.
The Flames paid an extra 2nd to drop Kotalik on the Sabres.
These deals are possible.

[sureLoss]

The Smid trade was a salary cap trade.

[Fire]

Is he better than Cervenka?

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by Fire

Is he better than Cervenka?

He had a similar KHL career year to Cervenka at a younger age, so yes potential is there to be better.

Will he be? Only the upcoming season will tell but it is a no risk scenario for the Blackhawks.

[Fire of the Phoenix]

I would love to see Patrick Sharp added as a salary dump. Something's got to give in Chicago with the Kane and Toews extensions kicking in and lots a young forwards coming in. Hopefully Treliving can take advantage of them.

[sureLoss]

One other positive note on this, is that the Flames are not afraid to go after small players if they think they can contribute at the NHL level.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

He had a similar KHL career year to Cervenka at a younger age, so yes potential is there to be better.

Will he be? Only the upcoming season will tell but it is a no risk scenario for the Blackhawks.

I still think that Cervenka had a lot of forces working against him and that under different circumstances, it could have worked. From the lockout, to the blood problem, and the miscasting of him as a centre.... There was a lot of misfortune on that one.

[thefoss1957]

I would think that Sharp would be available for a pick (2nd or 3rd round) or a mid-level prospect...as the 'Hawks seem to be looking to shed his $5.9 million cap hit for an ELC.

As far as Panarin goes, I think that this is just the trickle, before the floodgates open for KHL talent bailing. Bad Russian economic forces mean that that KHL money will be drying up, for a lot of players.

As far as Hjammer goes, keep dreaming...when the choice was keeping one of Hjammer and a Cup winning goaltender, Niemi, the 'Hawks tied up the D-man. Despite the appearance that Keith is the 'Hawk #1 D-man, it is Hjarlmasson that draws the top defensive assignment. He is not going anywhere.

[Imported_Aussie]

Would Sharp be a good winger for Bennett? That is the potential line I see coming together:

Gaudreau - Monahan - Hudler
Sharp - Bennett - Colborne
Bouma - Backlund - Jooris
Ferland - Stajan - Jones
ex. Bollig, Shore

Then Bennett gets a good veteran beside him, Colborne to aid on the faceoffs, and the two lines below take more D-zone starts to shelter Bennett as he gets used to playing centre at NHL level.

Granlund makes sense to trade IMO as the Flames are about to have a glut of players in that age group pushing for time. The 2nd round pick this year could get a guy who may develop to where Granlund is in time, but that way it means more players coming along as this current crop of youth progresses