2016/2017 Trade Speculation and Rumors

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by theslymonkey

As of right now Jankowski has proven that he's a good AHL center, that's all. Next year he can challenge for 4C, but they have Lazar who is also a 3/4C who has played in the NHL for a few years. Once Janko plays half a season at 4C we can all consider him a top 3C, but until then he has no business surpassing any of Monahan, Backlund, Bennett, or even Lazar for now.

I don't think Jankowski will ever play 4th line centre, it makes little to no sense having him there. He projects as a top two line offensive centre and you keep him in the AHL until he's ready to step in and achieve that. I'm talking about what happens when that happens.

Jankowski has proven more than he's just a good Ahl centre. He's proven he's our top prospect and arguably most NHL ready prospect. He's well ahead of Lazar in offensive ability. Lazar is a much more likely candidate to be a 4th line centre.

The question is, what do you do if Jankowski shows he's close in ability to Backlund, Bennett and Monahan? He may have to wait for an injury to get his chance but I'm looking ahead at the future. I think some fans are underrating just how close Janko and Bennett are in development

[D as in David]

^ If Jankowski was to make the team full time next year, who ends up with more points; Bennett or Jankowski?

[DJones]

Originally Posted by D as in David

^ If Jankowski was to make the team full time next year, who ends up with more points; Bennett or Jankowski?

Whoever plays on Backlund's wing.

[Calgary4LIfe]

I also have been advocating a Gaudreau - Bennett pairing. Bennett drives the net more and is much more aggressive on the boards, and has great speed. He isn't so much a playmaker either, and that lets Gaudreau do his thing.

Monahan I think has proven that he can drive a line by himself. Versteeg was a good partner for him. Tkachuk will be as well. I am even happy to throw Jankowski into the mix as a winger while he gets his ears wet in the NHL, and to see how Bennett does at another year of playing center.

Tkachuk - Monahan - Versteeg
Ferland - Backlund - Frolik
Gaudreau - Bennett - Jankowski

That's the top 9 I would like to roll with, at least for a stretch. Jankowski should be able to translate his defensive acumen to that line as well (and Bennett I felt took massive strides in that department last season). I think this lineup allows you to roll those 3 lines very well.

Chiasson - Stajan - Brouwer

That's a pretty good 4th line, and I really like Chiasson in that slot. He is a productive scorer given his ice time there. Brouwer or Stajan will (IMO) be selected by Vegas, so re-insert Bouma on that line as the center (if it is Stajan). Still a 4th line that you can roll without being overwhelmed. Don't like Brouwer's footspeed and I prefer Hathaway or Hamilton being added to that line, but Brouwer is still a much more talented player than anyone else on that 4th line (overpaid, but he is more talented).

Know who would do well with Monahan? Fricken Jagr. I don't care if he is 60 already and uses a cane. I would love to sign him just for a season to play next to Monahan and rub some of his skill off on Monahan. I mean, it is fricken Jagr.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by D as in David

^ If Jankowski was to make the team full time next year, who ends up with more points; Bennett or Jankowski?

I could see it going either way. There's a lot of factors that would go into it with linemates, injuries and power play time potentially being the deciders. Impossible to predict. But I do think they are closer in their development than some think.

[DJones]

Personally I don't see the Gaudreau/Bennett pairing as being ideal, their fast breaks would be great but for normal system offense not so much. Bennett like's the puck and is getting pretty good at cycling. While Gaudreau like's the puck and thrives in the one mistake and it's a goal. Monahan is our best finisher so it just make's sense to stick with Gaudreau.

[D as in David]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

I also have been advocating a Gaudreau - Bennett pairing. Bennett drives the net more and is much more aggressive on the boards, and has great speed. He isn't so much a playmaker either, and that lets Gaudreau do his thing.

Monahan I think has proven that he can drive a line by himself. Versteeg was a good partner for him. Tkachuk will be as well. I am even happy to throw Jankowski into the mix as a winger while he gets his ears wet in the NHL, and to see how Bennett does at another year of playing center.

Tkachuk - Monahan - Versteeg
Ferland - Backlund - Frolik
Gaudreau - Bennett - Jankowski

That's the top 9 I would like to roll with, at least for a stretch. Jankowski should be able to translate his defensive acumen to that line as well (and Bennett I felt took massive strides in that department last season). I think this lineup allows you to roll those 3 lines very well.

Chiasson - Stajan - Brouwer

That's a pretty good 4th line, and I really like Chiasson in that slot. He is a productive scorer given his ice time there. Brouwer or Stajan will (IMO) be selected by Vegas, so re-insert Bouma on that line as the center (if it is Stajan). Still a 4th line that you can roll without being overwhelmed. Don't like Brouwer's footspeed and I prefer Hathaway or Hamilton being added to that line, but Brouwer is still a much more talented player than anyone else on that 4th line (overpaid, but he is more talented).

Know who would do well with Monahan? Fricken Jagr. I don't care if he is 60 already and uses a cane. I would love to sign him just for a season to play next to Monahan and rub some of his skill off on Monahan. I mean, it is fricken Jagr.

Don't forget about Lazar.

[jayswin]

Bennett (current state) doesn't seem like a great fit for Gaudreau. He thrives off line-mates who either have a high hockey IQ and can follow what he's doing in real time and be there or big finishers who just go to the open areas and wait with their stick ready (Monahan/Ferland).

Bennett seems like a player that would be more of a cycler and mucker that doesn't quite have the quick hockey sense to be ready for Gaudreau's sudden passes and turnover plays.

[bigrangy]

Jankowski has everything one would want in a Right Winger for Gaudreau apart from the truculence.

He is very offensively aware and can keep up with high IQ players. He can lead a rush and create solid zone entries. He protects the puck very well with his giant frame and distributes it well when needed. And best of all, he has a great one timer from his off-wing.

So why not try

Gaudreau-Monahan-Jankowski
Tkachuk-Bennett-Frolik
Ferland-Backlund-Chiasson
Bouma-Lazar-Brouwer

*Stajan as expansion pick

Lazar gets stuck with awful wingers but at least the top 9 looks decent.

Focus on internal development next season and make sure that Bennett (or someone else) can play 2C before deciding whether or not to extend Backlund or move him for someone who aligns better with the core age group of the team.

[theslymonkey]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

I don't think Jankowski will ever play 4th line centre, it makes little to no sense having him there. He projects as a top two line offensive centre and you keep him in the AHL until he's ready to step in and achieve that. I'm talking about what happens when that happens.

Jankowski has proven more than he's just a good Ahl centre. He's proven he's our top prospect and arguably most NHL ready prospect. He's well ahead of Lazar in offensive ability. Lazar is a much more likely candidate to be a 4th line centre.

The question is, what do you do if Jankowski shows he's close in ability to Backlund, Bennett and Monahan? He may have to wait for an injury to get his chance but I'm looking ahead at the future. I think some fans are underrating just how close Janko and Bennett are in development

Being a top prospect in the AHL is still far from being anything in the NHL. If he shows to be close in ability to Bennett, we all will be dancing. But until then he's still just potential.

Bennett was a #4 overall pick and lit up the OHL. Janko has proven to dominate after a long time in the minors. Bennett would be 2+ ppg if he was in the minors right now (my opinion). For right now I'll trust the guys with multiple seasons in the NHL before a prospect. But I do hope I'm wrong.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by MarkGio

I have to agree with Bingo. The only big free agent the Flames should be interested in is Kovalchuk. Anyone else should be "home-town" discount guys like Versteeg, Stone, or Engelland. Perhaps some mid-range guys like Hudler or Kulikov.

I am not on the Oshie train either because I don't think he fits the skill player that Gaudreau needs on the other side. Now Radulov, he might be an ideal fit if he hits UFA.

[Johnny Rotten]

Unless it's Versteeg, I don't want the Flames to go crazy free agent-wise. The Flames were 17th in league scoring- not great, but not horrible. I'm willing to see how the (hopeful) additions of Jankowski and Lazar help with scoring, not to mention hopeful improvements with Bennett and Tkachuk, then that may be all they need.

Twenty more goals scored this year, and the Flames would have scored more than Chicago.

Stopping the puck is more of a priority, I think.

[Roof-Daddy]

The only free agent I want the Flames to realistically pursue other than Stone, is Bishop.

IF Brouwer is taken in the expansion draft, I would also be fine with them looking into 1-2 year deals with Justin Williams or Patrick Marleau as stop gap top 6 wing options.

[MarkGio]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

I am not on the Oshie train either because I don't think he fits the skill player that Gaudreau needs on the other side. Now Radulov, he might be an ideal fit if he hits UFA.

Yeah Radulov is the ideal player for the Flames. But his contract demands is what concerns me the most about him.

[burnitdown]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

Jankowski-Bennett was the reason I started the thread speculating that selling high on Backlund this summer could be an interesting move for the Flames to make. The consensus was the move is too risky and Backlund is too valuable. I definitely don't disagree with that.

I'm not opposed to trading Backlund this off-season. Most tend to agree that Oshie as an UFA at age 30 doesn't make sense, so wouldn't it be equally harmful to sign Backlund to a 5-6 year deal at $5M+ when he's 29 (especially with strong C prospects waiting in the wing)?? I'd put some feelers out to see if he's interested in a hometown discount but if not, I think it would be wise to explore trading him in hopes of securing a strong RW or D and cash in off his career year.

[The Fonz]

Every time I see lineup projections, I can't help but believe we need to move Gaudreau to the right side.

Bennett Monahan Gaudreau
Tkachuk Backlund Frolik
Ferland Jankowski Versteeg

I think that's a great balance at all 3 fwd positions, if Gaudreau can play his off wing.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by burnitdown

I'm not opposed to trading Backlund this off-season. Most tend to agree that Oshie as an UFA at age 30 doesn't make sense, so wouldn't it be equally harmful to sign Backlund to a 5-6 year deal at $5M+ when he's 29 (especially with strong C prospects waiting in the wing)?? I'd put some feelers out to see if he's interested in a hometown discount but if not, I think it would be wise to explore trading him in hopes of securing a strong RW or D and cash in off his career year.

Backlund, as a strong two way center, is a much better signing at $5+ million than a more one dimensional winger like Oshie at $6+ million.

[burnitdown]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

Backlund, as a strong two way center, is a much better signing at $5+ million than a more one dimensional winger like Oshie at $6+ million.

Agreed. Although my point is it may be smarter to trade Backlund after his career year before he cashes in on UFA at age 29 next year.

[ResAlien]

Originally Posted by The Fonz

Every time I see lineup projections, I can't help but believe we need to move Gaudreau to the right side.

Bennett Monahan Gaudreau
Tkachuk Backlund Frolik
Ferland Jankowski Versteeg

I think that's a great balance at all 3 fwd positions, if Gaudreau can play his off wing.

If we're converting Bennett to winger why not put him on the right? Why mess with a position we already know Johnny can play at an elite level?

For the record I think Sam stays at C. They didn't develop him there all year to decide "meh, whatevs" and switch him to wing.

[Toonage]

Although he prefers the position it does seem more likely Lazar lines up on RW rather than C, leaving Bennett in the middle.