2017/2018 Trade Speculation and Rumors

[Heavy Jack]

Originally Posted by dammage79

It's both Dreger and McKenzie saying this. I think he wants a more stable LHD. I know folks love Kulak and he has been fine but at the end of the day I bet Treliving feels he needs "more" out that #3 LHD spot.

I hope it doesn't come at the cost of more prospects though.

The top 4 needs to be the stability now ~ at some point we need guys like Kulak or guys like Kylington or guys like Andersson to take the step and if we keep plugging in bottom pairing D we aren't allowing the prospects to earn a chance like they should be given. If Brodie, Gio, Hammer and Hamonic were playing like everyone thought they would be I don't think there would be any smoke to improving the 3rd pairing D. I just don't see the need at this point when you consider just how deep we are at Defense. Is another player like Stone really worth what it will cost? I think we need to focus on thinning out some of the forward contracts (Stajan, Versteeg, F. Hamilton) promoting 1 or 2 of the youth (Hathaway, Mangiapane) and MAYBE look at adding 1 more depth forward closer to the deadline.

[Heavy Jack]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

Not sure what else Ferland can do to prove he’s a top line RW. He has consistently improved his game from year to year, and is breaking out right before our eyes.

That’s his spot.

The only real roster spot that needs improvement is the 4th line. Play Kulak over Bartkowski, and the 3rd pairing is fine. Bennett-Jankowski-Jagr, since being put together have been an effective line. The 4th line is a damn trainwreck though. Brouwer and Stajan are not NHL players, and with how Gully handled 5v5 minutes, they’re getting regular shifts and it’s hurting the team.

By primary focus for right wing I'm meaning someone to replace Jagr down the road and eventually even Frolik if he becomes to expensive when his contract runs out. No doubt Ferly is the top guy at this time with Johnny and Mony but we need to try and upgrade the wings more than D as we have a stronger cast of D prospects versus wingers.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by dammage79

It's both Dreger and McKenzie saying this. I think he wants a more stable LHD. I know folks love Kulak and he has been fine but at the end of the day I bet Treliving feels he needs "more" out that #3 LHD spot.

I think at the end of the day, the #6 spot shouldn't really necessary to "upgrade." If Kulak and Bartkowski are not doing well, you always have Andersson, Wotherspoon, or even Kylington to try out for the spot.

[Heavy Jack]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

I think at the end of the day, the #6 spot shouldn't really necessary to "upgrade." If Kulak and Bartkowski are not doing well, you always have Andersson, Wotherspoon, or even Kylington to try out for the spot.

This is just it at this point. It's not a good message to send the guys trying to come up that even if they are performing down there it won't even get them a look because Kulak just hasn't given them the stability they were hoping for so how could any of those options. Kylington is progressing very nicely, Wotherspoon is playing very well too. There are options that we haven't even tried yet this year in the 6th spot that I think warrant a look before making more changes.

Wotherspoon ~ 18 GP / 1 G / 9 A / 10 PTS / +12 / 20 PIMS
Andersson ~ 15 GP / 2 G / 9 A / 11 PTS / +9 / 12 PIMS
Kylington ~ 18 GP / 1 G / 7 A / 8 PTS / +3 / 4 PIMS
Kulak (NHL) ~ 14 GP / 0 G / 3 A / 3 PTS / +2 / 13 PIMS

Send Bart down and give these guys a shot ~ we have enough long time stability in Gio, Hamilton, Brodie, Hamonic and Stone that we can start allowing our prospects to have a chance.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by dammage79

It's both Dreger and McKenzie saying this. I think he wants a more stable LHD. I know folks love Kulak and he has been fine but at the end of the day I bet Treliving feels he needs "more" out that #3 LHD spot.

I feel he needs a lot more out of the #2 LHD spot as the 3rd pairing has been arguably more stable than the 2nd pairing a lot of nights. Before he moves out any more assets or draft picks he needs to talk to his coach about cleaning up team defensive play before upgrading players because he's not getting value for his last upgrade (Hamonic).

[Fischy13]

Stajan for Cole

[dammage79]

Well, I guess we will just have to wait and see what Treliving has in mind.

I think we already know he's pushed his chips all in on this season and next so if he feels he can soup up the third paring he's going to regardless of what's in the system.

I mean I agree that some sort of shake up with what they have should be tried before shopping i.e swapping Stone and Hamonic let's say.But I trust Treliving enough to see what he has in mind.

[Ozy_Flame]

Originally Posted by Fischy13

Stajan for Cole

Reily Sheahan was brought into Pittsburgh, so that negates that idea when it was floated around at the beginning of the season.

You only get rid of Stajan two ways at this point: let him play out his contract in sporadic appearances, or trade him for another boat anchor contract.

[Oling_Roachinen]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

You only get rid of Stajan two ways at this point: let him play out his contract in sporadic appearances, or trade him for another boat anchor contract.

So Stajan for Cole?

Cole's a 6th defensemen who's been healthy scratch for three games in a row. And he'll be paid more than Stajan in actual dollars, so it's not like any team would be giving up much of anything.

[Karl]

If a trade like Stajan for Cole is even possible, Cole can then replace Bart as the 7th D-man.

[Toonage]

Originally Posted by Karl

If a trade like Stajan for Cole is even possible, Cole can then replace Bart as the 7th D-man.

I was looking at his TOI this season when he does play, and he logs some pretty good minutes.

I also want him to be paired with Stone, so when they throw the body we can call them the Cole-Stone Creamery

Well that's it, I'm done.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

Not sure what else Ferland can do to prove he’s a top line RW. He has consistently improved his game from year to year, and is breaking out right before our eyes.

That’s his spot.

The only real roster spot that needs improvement is the 4th line. Play Kulak over Bartkowski, and the 3rd pairing is fine. Bennett-Jankowski-Jagr, since being put together have been an effective line. The 4th line is a damn trainwreck though. Brouwer and Stajan are not NHL players, and with how Gully handled 5v5 minutes, they’re getting regular shifts and it’s hurting the team.

I'm still waiting for the third line to break out - I can't call it a success until they score. Brouwer is still an NHLer. He's more than an OK fourth line player. If he had better linemates this year he'd have a few more points as a matter of fact. He's set up Stajan and Lazar quite nicely from time to time.

By "regular shifts" I assume you mean the fourth line gets about half as much ice time as the third line and 1/3 the amount of the the other two lines? Or, if you are counting shifts, as many as 5 less than the third line, 8 less than the second line and 11 less than the top line?

[Karl]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

I'm still waiting for the third line to break out - I can't call it a success until they score. Brouwer is still an NHLer. He's more than an OK fourth line player. If he had better linemates this year he'd have a few more points as a matter of fact. He's set up Stajan and Lazar quite nicely from time to time.

By "regular shifts" I assume you mean the fourth line gets about half as much ice time as the third line and 1/3 the amount of the the other two lines? Or, if you are counting shifts, as many as 5 less than the third line, 8 less than the second line and 11 less than the top line?

I don't really think he would have much more. Quite frankly, all the Flames 4th liners seriously suck now.

[Karl]

Originally Posted by Toonage

I was looking at his TOI this season when he does play, and he logs some pretty good minutes.

I also want him to be paired with Stone, so when they throw the body we can call them the Cole-Stone Creamery

Well that's it, I'm done.

you cracked me up.

[bubbsy]

hmm, a trade to improve the d..... I'd be somewhat disappointed if they went that route, without at least trying to juggle the pairings up a bit.

If the defense continues to struggle, why not try switching hamonic and stone? Heck, why not try swapping Hamonic with Hamilton.

and just how married are we with dmen playing sides based on their handedness??

giordano - brodie
hamilton - hamonic/stone
kulak - hamonic/stone

all 3 of the current pairings have been a pretty steady disappointment 20-some games in. the fact, that outside a period or two, the coach hasn't tried anything to really provide a jolt is somewhat disappointing.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Karl

I don't really think he would have much more. Quite frankly, all the Flames 4th liners seriously suck now.

I've liked Brouwer's game quite a bit lately. He can only dig the puck out and set up his linemates in the slot so often without a result. He has more points than Bennett despite playing on the fourth line with less ice time, and not with the GOAT and Jankowski.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

I've liked Brouwer's game quite a bit lately. He can only dig the puck out and set up his linemates in the slot so often without a result. He has more points than Bennett despite playing on the fourth line with less ice time, and not with the GOAT and Jankowski.

Yup - still paid WAY too much but he hasn't been an issue in a 4th line role IMO.

Just keep him off the PP.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Yup - still paid WAY too much but he hasn't been an issue in a 4th line role IMO.

Just keep him off the PP.

He played PP the one game recently (maybe when Tkachuk was out?) and had a dandy screen on a goal. But he's not been a regular for quite a while.

[bax]

Originally Posted by bubbsy

hmm, a trade to improve the d..... I'd be somewhat disappointed if they went that route, without at least trying to juggle the pairings up a bit.

If the defense continues to struggle, why not try switching hamonic and stone? Heck, why not try swapping Hamonic with Hamilton.

and just how married are we with dmen playing sides based on their handedness??

giordano - brodie
hamilton - hamonic/stone
kulak - hamonic/stone

all 3 of the current pairings have been a pretty steady disappointment 20-some games in. the fact, that outside a period or two, the coach hasn't tried anything to really provide a jolt is somewhat disappointing.

I agree with this for the most part, but I wouldn’t say Giordano and Hamilton have been a disappointment. The offense has been a little slow to get going, but the still dominate possession and limit scoring chances when they are out there.

Dougie has made the occasional mistake, but overall I think they are one of the contenders for best pairing in the league.

[Anduril]

Originally Posted by bax

I agree with this for the most part, but I wouldn’t say Giordano and Hamilton have been a disappointment. The offense has been a little slow to get going, but the still dominate possession and limit scoring chances when they are out there.

Dougie has made the occasional mistake, but overall I think they are one of the contenders for best pairing in the league.

I think we've been spoiled by just how dominant our first pairing is. Dellow had an article on The Athletic comparing 1st and 2nd pairing across all the teams this season. #1 so far in Corsi for, 13th in goals for.

Ever since Hamilton and Gio were paired together, they've consistently been top 5, probably 3 in possession. As a side note, seeing how well our first pairing does makes me wonder if we even as Flames fans don't appreciate how good Gio is. He's been the consistent factor with different partners and dominating.