Should the Flames target a RW via free agency?

[erikk3]

Lucic would be just great. What a mentor for ferkland!

Big brouwer fan too but he's getting up there in age.

[SanFranFlamesFan]

Originally Posted by Tacoman

Since we now know that Kevin Hayes is Matthew Tkachuk's cousin in addition to being Johny's line mate (plus being young and 6'5"), I think our path is very clear.

Make it happen Tree.

Hells yes, exactly what I want thinking. Young, big, proven chemistry with Gaudreau, inexpensive contract, right shot, badly misused and somewhat fallen out of favor in NY despite great underlying numbers. The cost to get him could not be super high. 2nd round pick and Poirier?

[MarkGio]

Originally Posted by kyuss275

No the flames need a big guy that can put the puck in the net once in a while. I get that we drafted a PF with our first pick, but he is years away from coming in and being dominant. Flames are still a small team.

Actually we need both.

The Flames parted ways with Russell and Hudler, and picked up Jokipakka, Tkachuk and Pollock. The only true small guy on the team is Gaudreau, who is exempt from all being small criticisms.

I think the "small" concerns are way overblown and even no longer relevant.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by erikk3

Lucic would be just great. What a mentor for ferkland!

And for Tkachuk too.

I'm warm to the idea of Lucic, as long as the bidding war doesn't get too crazy. Having Elliott cheap this year and Wideman off the books next year opens up some nice options.

[Apollo]

I'd love to get Okposo. The Flames would be deadly. Even more so if they can clear the backend our bad contracts. The Flames would be pretty stacked at that point.

[edslunch]

I'd love to see Poirier step up. RW, not small, has/had an edge, has speed. We need a prospect like that to have a breakout year

[Da_Chief]

Flames have about 21.5 mill in cap space right now. I think about 17 of that will go to Gaudreau/Monahan/Colborne extentions. Leaves 4.5 mill to re-sign Nakladal, get a backup goalie and make room for Tkachuk (that will be 12 forwards signed)

Of course if Smid goes on LTIR and Wideman gets traded for even half his salary that give them 5-6 mill to get a winger. Tough, cap crunch.

[Bend it like Bourgeois]

they better leave room for 3-5m in bonuses too depending on if they think tkachuk might stick this year

I think they have to dump at least Raymond and maybe wideman just to keep the usual cushion for injuries and late season moves.

[Mike F]

Did anyone watch enough of Vancouver's games to determine what went wrong for Vrbata last year? Did his play really drop off, or did Vancouver just say, "Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead with the youth movement in the top 6!"

I wouldn't want him on anything more than a 1 year show-me deal, but if you're looking for a veteran to fill a space until a young guy forces him out, the Vrbata that was in Vancouver in 14/15 would be a good fit.

[GoJetsGo]

I think we make a move for Hayes and sign Perron in free agency. After Tkachuk wills himself onto the team we'll see a top six of:

Gaudreau-Mohanan-Hayes
Tkachuk-Bennett-Perron


Profit.

[Flash Walken]

Alex chiasson from Ottawa. Maybe move colborne as part of the deal

[Major Happy]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

Alex chiasson from Ottawa. Maybe move colborne as part of the deal

If we want a major downgrade, then I guess.

Chiasson is terrible.

[Reggie Dunlop]

Originally Posted by edslunch

I'd love to see Poirier step up. RW, not small, has/had an edge, has speed. We need a prospect like that to have a breakout year

I'm with you there too.

Still a well-regarded prospect.

[Knut]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

Alex chiasson from Ottawa. Maybe move colborne as part of the deal

Why? Colborne is way better

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Well if our goaltending is Elliott/Ortio then Treliving will have a lot more money to play with than we thought he might. In fact that means we can get a big name UFA this summer and still keep Wideman for the start of next year. Or if Wideman is dealt we're just in great shape cap wise even if we add a big name UFA.

IMO the best fits are Lucic, Eriksson, Backes and McGinn. The first 3 being potential 1st line options while McGinn makes a good 2nd/3rd line power forward option. Most of the other guys available will make too much for what they bring IMO. I don't think we can afford Stamkos at 10 million. I don't think I'd want to pay Okposo 6 million. Perron? Not sure he really fits a need enough to want to overpay him as an UFA.

Lucic would give us a legit 1st line power forward. Yes the term might be awkward but he's still quite young having just turned 28. I think he'd be a perfect fit. Great mentor for Ferland and Tkachuk and would allow us to ice 3 powerforwards.

Ericsson would upgrade our goalscoring ability and he isn't just a one-way guy. However he is almost 31 and probably wants to sign longterm so I fear the albatross nature of his contract more than I do Lucic because he's 3 years older.

Backes would upgrade our leadership, grit, physical play but he is 32. So again we'd have to be wary of longterm.

McGinn isn't in the same sphere as the others but hopefully you wouldn't be paying him anywhere near the same as the others. He could be a good secondary power forward option for your 2nd/3rd line.

Overall I think Lucic would be the best fit given his style of play and age. Yes there is a risk he slows down and the contract looks bad but there's also a good chance he's just a great fit for years and helps us contend.

[Karl]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

Alex chiasson from Ottawa. Maybe move colborne as part of the deal

Chiasson sucks.

[GoJetsGo]

Really wish Lucic was a RW

[Ashasx]

Brouwer is terrifying

[codynw]

Ashasx, if you don't mind me asking, where do you get those charts from? I really like those.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by codynw

Ashasx, if you don't mind me asking, where do you get those charts from? I really like those.

Forward / Defensemen HERO charts

Goalie SAVE charts