[News] Upd: Drouin decides to sit out until trade is completed. Lightning suspend him.

[Weitz]

I wonder how much top-5 protecting a 1st round pick would kill the value? I imagine a lot because it would delay the pick a year.

[djsFlames]

Hudler + Kylington for Drouin

Throw whatever additional pick in there is required.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by codynw

Drouin and Hamilton are not the same calibre of player. Drouin is in the AHL, Hamilton was a top pairing defenceman with 3 NHL seasons played before the trade.

Drouin could certainly become a great player, but he could also bust, like plenty of smallish skilled wingers have in the past, and will in the future.

No they are not the same player but Drouin is no plug on the NHL. He has very high upside and I don't think the Flames are going to be picking top 5/10 this year and doubt a mid first rounder on this draft will have an impact on the team as quickly as Drouin who is the same age as our young core.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by Weitz

I wonder how much top-5 protecting a 1st round pick would kill the value? I imagine a lot because it would delay the pick a year.

I think it is unlikely the flames pick top 5. A lot of protected picks have been dealt in recent memory.

[codynw]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

No they are not the same player but Drouin is no plug on the NHL. He has very high upside and I don't think the Flames are going to be picking top 5/10 this year and doubt a mid first rounder on this draft will have an impact on the team as quickly as Drouin who is the same age as our young core.

That's too risky though. If the season ended today, without anything weird happening in the lottery, the Flames would be picking 5th. Halfway through the season.

You simply can't trade that pick. Even if it ended up being ~10th I'd be pretty annoyed.

[Weitz]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

I think it is unlikely the flames pick top 5. A lot of protected picks have been dealt in recent memory.

It's different this year because of the top 3 lottery.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by codynw

That's too risky though. If the season ended today, without anything weird happening in the lottery, the Flames would be picking 5th. Halfway through the season.

You simply can't trade that pick. Even if it ended up being ~10th I'd be pretty annoyed.

They pick 5th but a win tonight buts them at 10th potentially with games in hand. This is a team coming off an 11-5-1 run in Q2. The awful start has them in a bottom position but they continue to dig themselves out.


I have no problem if the pick is 10th

[Fire of the Phoenix]

Any trade for our first could cost us Auston Matthews or one of the Fins. Imagine if that actually happened? Really, think about it. That's a franchise altering blunder of epic proportions. Even if it's only a 25% chance of drafting top 3, I'd rather avoid the possibility of that happening.

[Enoch Root]

Currently, our core of young players looks as follows:

LW..... 2Cs
.....2D

IMO, we need (in order of need and importance)

1) RW
2) G
3) another D
4) size in key positions (any and all positions)
5) another F (any position)

Drouin fills the 5th need, which is great, but it's important that we don't spend too many key assets acquiring someone like him because we need those assets to acquire the 1st 4, far more important, pieces.

[PaperBagger'14]

Originally Posted by Fire of the Phoenix

Any trade for our first could cost us Auston Matthews or one of the Fins. Imagine if that actually happened? Really, think about it. That's a franchise altering blunder of epic proportions. Even if it's only a 25% chance of drafting top 3, I'd rather avoid the possibility of that happening.

If our pick landed Matthews for someone else I'd be choked. However I'm not really sure if the comparisons of Drouin to Lain or Pululjarvi (sp?) Have as much weight. At least to me I'd think it would be a lateral move. Knowing our trade would cost us more than a first round pick is where I get skeptical of making a trade with the end of the season drawing nearer.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by Fire of the Phoenix

Any trade for our first could cost us Auston Matthews or one of the Fins. Imagine if that actually happened? Really, think about it. That's a franchise altering blunder of epic proportions. Even if it's only a 25% chance of drafting top 3, I'd rather avoid the possibility of that happening.

It is highly doubtful Flames pick in the top 3 but it could happen. If Tampa doesn't take a protected 1st then maybe the Flames hesitate. Tampa has made conditional pick trades before so not sure why they wouldn't again. The Flames deal for Bouwmeetser was a protected 1st.

[Fire of the Phoenix]

I would waaaaaaaay rather have Puljujarvi or Laing than Drouin.

RW, RH, bigger and they just seem like better prospects. That's just me though.

I would trade 4 OA for him though, provided those guys are off the table.

[Fire of the Phoenix]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

It is highly doubtful Flames pick in the top 3 but it could happen. If Tampa doesn't take a protected 1st then maybe the Flames hesitate. Tampa has made conditional pick trades before so not sure why they wouldn't again. The Flames deal for Bouwmeetser was a protected 1st.

They are just as likely as anyone who's not Columbus, Buffalo or Edmonton as it stands currently.

If this was last year, or last year's rules, I would be all for this. As it stands it's far too risky under the new rules.

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by Fire of the Phoenix

I would waaaaaaaay rather have Puljujarvi or Laing than Drouin.

RW, RH, bigger and they just seem like better prospects. That's just me though.

I would trade 4 OA for him though, provided those guys are off the table.

Laine is the more proficient goal scorer though. Both the Finns are deadly.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by PaperBagger'14

If our pick landed Matthews for someone else I'd be choked. However I'm not really sure if the comparisons of Drouin to Lain or Pululjarvi (sp?) Have as much weight. At least to me I'd think it would be a lateral move. Knowing our trade would cost us more than a first round pick is where I get skeptical of making a trade with the end of the season drawing nearer.

It isn't a question of whether or not those players are better than Drouin (impossible to say at this point), it's that they are RWs, big, fast, physical, and most importantly: FREE (if we had a top 5 pick).

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Currently, our core of young players looks as follows:

LW..... 2Cs
.....2D

IMO, we need (in order of need and importance)

1) RW
2) G
3) another D
4) size in key positions (any and all positions)
5) another F (any position)

Drouin fills the 5th need, which is great, but it's important that we don't spend too many key assets acquiring someone like him because we need those assets to acquire the 1st 4, far more important, pieces.

Disagree that Drouin is that far down our list of needs. We need more elite level talents up front, period. Given the fact that we have 3 D on our roster that could slot in as a #1 right now (which is more than most teams could say), and prospect depth of the likes of Kylington, Andersson and Hickey coming up, I think high-end forwards comes above more D right now.
We simply don't have enough legitimate top 6 forwards right now that we have to activate our D in games constantly to provide the needed offense.
Bennett needs a productive linemate for the next 5+ years to play with, left or right winger. Preferrably a gifted playmaker. Drouin will fit that exact mould.
Besides, if you look at the league right now, there isn't a hell of a lot of productive RWs out there. Legitimate top line RWs are hard to come by in the current NHL for whatever reason. We definitely need someone to play on Gaudreau and Monahan's right side but you're not gonna find a lot of gems. I'd say Hayes is a prime target given his size and abilities but with the added bonus of proven chemistry with Gaudreau.

But I'd definitely say without a doubt that adding Drouin addresses one of our two biggest needs right now - elite forward talent and goaltending. You're not going to find an available player with even close to as much potential that can slot down the right side right now. So taking a run at this kid is a no-brainer.

[Hackey]

Originally Posted by PaperBagger'14

If our pick landed Matthews for someone else I'd be choked. However I'm not really sure if the comparisons of Drouin to Lain or Pululjarvi (sp?) Have as much weight. At least to me I'd think it would be a lateral move. Knowing our trade would cost us more than a first round pick is where I get skeptical of making a trade with the end of the season drawing nearer.

Both those guys are huge. 6'3 and 6'4 and over 200lbs at 17. Pretty much exactly what we need in our top 6. Take either over Drouin.

[djsFlames]

Looking at what Barkov is starting to do in the NHL now, those Finns would be either be ideal pickups at the draft. But you simply cannot bank on picking that high. Our highest pick ever is 4th OA still. It would be great but this team with its lack of historical tanking and the roster in place will be in all likelihood picking 10-15th when it's all said and done.

[Calgary4LIfe]

If the rumors are true and the Flames are still in the mix, I am horribly curious as to what (if any?) package Treliving has on the table.

Yzerman wants a cost-controolled younger roster player. I can not possibly see Bennett, Gaudreau, Monahan, Brodie or Hamilton as being on the table. That leaves Ferland, Jooris, Granlund... Not much there that is too enticing (though I am of the opinion that Ferland has very good upside) for Yzerman to chew on.

There is also the possibility that the Flames package prospects + picks (like a 1st + some of the prospects they have). Yes, Yzerman is supposedly not interested in acquiring players that are not ready to contribute today in the NHL, but value is value. What is the easiest currency to trade in the NHL? Picks. What is the 2nd easiest currency? Prospects. You don't have to worry so much about cap space and contract space (well, at least if the prospects are in junior or in Europe anyways).

These assets (especially a 1st round pick) can be used to then trade for someone down the road from the sellers for Tampa to try and make a run. Just thinking out-loud anyways.

My guess? Hudler + Russell + 1st + Rafikov (Yzerman seems to love his Russian prospects) and Flames get Drouin + Carle.

I can't see the Flames giving up too much more than that. Hudler and Russell are both UFAs after this season, but can definitely help Tampa now (and a chance to sign them). 1st + Rafikov is a little on the low end of a return, but taking Carle hurts, whereas Tampa doesn't get any cap implications as long as they choose not to re-sign (or are unable to re-sign) Hudler and Russell.

I think it makes sense for both sides. Hudler gets reunited with Filppula, and can be a solid playmaker for Stamkos.

I suck at trades anyways. It isn't exactly what Tampa needs, but that 1st can then be flipped for additional help at the TD (either alone or packaged up with another asset they have).

Either way, I am just really interested to know if Calgary really is still in it, and what package they offered.

[djsFlames]

We've been surprised at returns before. Actually about half of the time these days fans and analysts are off on the value/return for sought after players.
It depends on the range of offers being thrown out. If Stevie Y thinks keeping Drouin is toxic and a distraction, and knows he must deal him at some point, but the offers given don't even include 1sts, perhaps to do with the increased value of picks 1-14 due to the new lottery system, or because teams haven't bought into Drouin's abilities at the NHL level, then you might see him go for a lesser package than initially speculated.
Just like Dougie. Except he was far more proven than Drouin at the time of the trade. And Drouin doesnt have the physical stature/game to ensure a high floor, if he doesn't reach his potential.
I really think it'll be a decent (maybe salary retained) roster player, B+ prospect and some combination of 2nd/3rd/both if Yzerman doesn't hold out and opts to trade now just to deal with the issue.