2016/2017 Trade Speculation and Rumors

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

I believe that people should start to see Backlund as an integral part of the core that can't be traded.

I think people should see Backlund what he is, a third line center having a career year on an underperforming team. Don't pull a Bouma and overpay a guy that is over performing.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by FlameZilla

Peoples' memories are surprisingly short.

Yes, the team is playing poorly now but does that mean you cut loose Monahan, Gaudreau, Hamilton & Bennett?

How stupid.

Fyp

[Monahan For Mayor]

Okay. Now bare with me because I don't like thinking about it either, but could we make Brodie available ? If Tre and Gulutzan are insisting on keeping him on the left side should we move him for a different similar caliber lefty ? I don't really have anyone in particular but there are many teams out there that I'm sure would not mind trading for him and playing him on the right side. He is horrible on the left side and if we won't move him to the right it mite pay off to trade him for a different lefty dman.

I'd rather see the coach fired before moving Brodie. This is just in the case that coaching stays the same. Brodie's cap hit would be a very big bonus for contenders looking to push their team over the top, and may be willing to part with younger blue chip d.


Ottawa would love a guy like Brodie with his cap. Could we work out a deal for Chabot + ?

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by N-E-B

I agree, I'm a really big fan of Backlunds but I wouldn't be totally upset if they moved him out in the offseason. I think they could get a really good package for him as well.

That said, I'm not saying they should trade him, I'd be just as happy to re-up him.

I get the feeling management wants to keep Backlund in the fold but if you really want to get that scoring RW I can't think of a better trading chip. I don't think they can fit Backlund long term at $5 million a season personally knowing he's going to eventually revert back to his career normal scoring. Jankowski has potential to be his replacement so it's not like the team doesn't have a succession plan in place.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

I get the feeling management wants to keep Backlund in the fold but if you really want to get that scoring RW I can't think of a better trading chip. I don't think they can fit Backlund long term at $5 million a season personally knowing he's going to eventually revert back to his career normal scoring. Jankowski has potential to be his replacement so it's not like the team doesn't have a succession plan in place.

Even if Jankowski is his replacement (which is not something you want to bet on), it won't be for years. If tagged flames trade Backlund they'll be worse for quite a while

[Monahan For Mayor]

Trade Backs, Sign Hanzal. If only it was that easy.

[Poe969]

Will Backlund be able to keep playing like this forever though? Is this year just a career year for him or is it how he'll always be? If you look at how he's been in the past, it isn't this good. I'm all for keeping him if it's a reasonable contract but at the same time, his value has never been higher. Trading him now would be the ultimate "sell high" scenario with him. I think you have to at least explore it and see what you could get for him.

As sad as it is, I don't see the Flames making any big trades because they have too much faith in the current team. At this point I think it's misplaced because they just aren't good enough. I think management (and most fans) are too emotionally attached to some players to trade them.

[Monahan For Mayor]

What teams could be targeting Backlund ? Who have a scoring RS RW to move in return ?

[Par]

Originally Posted by Poe969

Will Backlund be able to keep playing like this forever though? Is this year just a career year for him or is it how he'll always be? If you look at how he's been in the past, it isn't this good. I'm all for keeping him if it's a reasonable contract but at the same time, his value has never been higher. Trading him now would be the ultimate "sell high" scenario with him. I think you have to at least explore it and see what you could get for him.

As sad as it is, I don't see the Flames making any big trades because they have too much faith in the current team. At this point I think it's misplaced because they just aren't good enough. I think management (and most fans) are too emotionally attached to some players to trade them.

This is very true, I love Backlund but if he gets you something nice, than you do it. Maybe you a get a decent center that can replace him while Jankowski matures to take over that role, with another very nice piece coming the Flames way. If he signs for $5 million or under, than you sign him.

What I would like to see:

Lance Bouma traded for picks(what ever you can get).

Dennis Wideman traded for picks(whatever you can get).

Deryk Engelland traded for picks(whatever you can get).

Brian Elliott traded for picks(whatever you can get).

Out of that group Bouma will be the hardest to trade because he still has a few more years left but the others can easily be traded to Stanley Cup Contenders looking for depth.

With whatever you get for these, package them together with Backlund and see what you can get, at the draft and with the Las Vegas expansion team coming there will be lots of trades and movement.

I know I will get Flamed for this but if we are in the same spot come trade deadline, we should be sellers(we will be in tough position to make the playoffs and even if we do make it, with the goaltending we have, we probably wont stand a chance). With the short list of sellers, this could be a sellers market.

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by Monahan For Mayor

What teams could be targeting Backlund ? Who have a scoring RS RW to move in return ?

We'd need a #2C if we moved him though, more than we'd need a RW

[BrownDrake]

If you want to keep Backlund you must move one of Gaudreau/Monahan/Bennett or severely limit the cash you have available to pay a #4 Dman/#1 Goalie. Sell him high and get something in return. This franchise has sucked at asset management...enough already.

Everyone loves their shiny toys, wants to keep everyone and its not possible in a cap world.

[Monahan For Mayor]

Originally Posted by Monahan For Mayor

What teams could be targeting Backlund ? Who have a scoring RS RW to move in return ?

To answer my own question.

What about Gallagher + McCarron from MTL ? That's a true top 6 rw, and a big centre who projects as a good 3rd line C. Gally is also locked in long term at a reasonable cap hit. He brings scoring and fire in his belly.

Gaudreau - Monahan - Gally
Tkachuk - Bennett - Brouwer/Versteeg Edit: Frolik (My Bad)

Is a good top 6 if Bennett can get it together. I'd still try and push for Hanzal in the offseason.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by New Era

I think people should see Backlund what he is, a third line center having a career year on an underperforming team. Don't pull a Bouma and overpay a guy that is over performing.

I agree with your thoughts, and I'd also add, that even if this wasn't likely a better performance from Backlund then we should expect moving forward, and he truly is going to be a fantastic player for the next few years. Doesn't change the fact that his age and then subsequent contract he will earn moving forward simply doesn't align well with what this teams actual window will be based on our other key players.

We already have one player signed long term who's performance window is going to be a huge problem when it comes to how it relates to when our other core players will hit their prime, we can't afford another. If Backlund is going to end up getting core player money, the Flames have to walk away from him regardless of how good he might be or even if we think someone like Bennett is going to bust, he's just going to be too old and expensive when Johnny, Matt, Mono and Dougie hit their primes.

[Par]

Originally Posted by Monahan For Mayor

To answer my own question.

What about Gallagher + McCarron from MTL ? That's a true top 6 rw, and a big centre who projects as a good 3rd line C. Gally is also locked in long term at a reasonable cap hit. He brings scoring and fire in his belly.

Gaudreau - Monahan - Gally
Tkachuk - Bennett - Brouwer/Versteeg

Is a good top 6 if Bennett can get it together. I'd still try and push for Hanzal in the offseason.

I would think very long and hard about this, this looks like a good trade. The only thing I would be worried about is that Gallagher will be 25 and he has yet to hit 50 points at the NHL level but if we look at his 2014-15 season, he has the ability to do that. McCarrion is very intriguing, 6'6 and 230 pounds, can play center or wing, in the end I would probably do this deal, what do you all think?

Another team I would look at is the Washington Capitals, André Burakovsky and Lars Eller, this package would cost a bit more and I don't know if the Caps would trade André Burakovsky.

I think the Montreal Canadiens and the Washington Capitals, could be two good targeting options because if they get bounced in the 1st round of playoffs, they will be looking to make changes.

[Ashasx]

Originally Posted by New Era

I think people should see Backlund what he is, a third line center having a career year on an underperforming team. Don't pull a Bouma and overpay a guy that is over performing.

What 3rd line centers around the league put up 50 points while facing the toughest competition and zone starts on their team?

Jesus Christ man this is an embarrassing post.

[IgiTang]

All this talk about Backlund being integral, I love Backlund and it appears he's finally put it all together but..

How much of this is due to who he is playing with? I would like to see Backs with some different wingers to see if his game remains the same. Then a proper analysis can be made about his consistency and if he's taken that next step. He needs to prove he can do it with out Matty and Fro.

In saying that, you can't trade him or sign him to a new deal until you put him in a different situation and see how he responds.

[Ashasx]

Considering how good Backlund has been for the last 3 seasons or so, it's more likely that players like Tkachuk are benefitting the most from playing with him, and not the other way around. And that's not to say Tkachuk hasn't looked great, but Backlund has had great numbers for a while now.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

Even if Jankowski is his replacement (which is not something you want to bet on), it won't be for years. If tagged flames trade Backlund they'll be worse for quite a while

They are 3 points out of 28th overall. Really how much worse can they get without having a legit offensive RW in the top 6? This season is proving that Backlund's best season isn't changing the fate of the team with guys like Chaisson playing on the top line.

You have to give up something to get something and he's really the only realistic trading chip that could net a top line player or prospect. Would there be growing pains for Jankowski? Absolutely, but top organizations go through this all the time. You think it was easy for the Hawks to part with Brandon Saad? I would hope management isn't getting emotionally attached to any player that's not an elite talent because that's a bad way to operate your hockey team.

[Toonage]

Backlund made Colborne look good 2 seasons ago. Nuff said?

[Monahan For Mayor]

Originally Posted by Par

I would think very long and hard about this, this looks like a good trade. The only thing I would be worried about is that Gallagher will be 25 and he has yet to hit 50 points at the NHL level but if we look at his 2014-15 season, he has the ability to do that. McCarrion is very intriguing, 6'6 and 230 pounds, can play center or wing, in the end I would probably do this deal, what do you all think?

Another team I would look at is the Washington Capitals, André Burakovsky and Lars Eller, this package would cost a bit more and I don't know if the Caps would trade André Burakovsky.

I think the Montreal Canadiens and the Washington Capitals, could be two good targeting options because if they get bounced in the 1st round of playoffs, they will be looking to make changes.

The great thing about Gallagher is even if he isn't scoring he's helping his team win. He plays hard, is great defensively for a winger, agitates the other team. He does all the little things. Him an Tkachuk are very similar play styles IMO. Tkachuk has more skill and size. Gally is faster, and better shot.