2017/2018 Trade Speculation and Rumors

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

He was out for a third. But on that logic, Gio was out for a quarter of the season (at the most critical time) so that means he's dispensible?

On the other hand, Wideman played all 80 and got 56 points (4th on the team). Maybe we better get him back.

It means that almost any player can be replaced as Russell, Brodie, Wideman, etc stepped up. I feel Jankowski is only a year away from replacing Backlund on that 2nd line already. As I said in my post Gaudreau and Monahan and the goaltending are what ultimately dictate the success of this team.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

You mean that same season where we had to have Hudler, Wideman, and Bouma have career years? Don’t make it seem like Backlund isn’t crucial to our team’s success. I love how you didn’t mention us making the playoffs last year, a huge part of that was because of Backlund. He may be a complimentary piece, but he’s the best complimentary piece you could ask for.

What's your point? Backlund had his career season last year. He's in important piece but he's ultimately replaceable IMO. If he wasn't I expect Treliving would have extended him in the offseason but we have heard instead of Trelving kicking the tires on guys like Turris and Duchene that would ultimately replace Backlund.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

I was just coming here to post something similar, very well thought out post New Era.

Thank you sir. I appreciate where everyone is coming from on this issue. We invested so much in Backlund, and patiently waited for him to blossom and become a good player, that we may have become too attached to the player to remain objective. That is the strange thing about sports. If we stripped away the names and looked at the players blind, we would probably have a much different opinion on many of our own. I would prefer we kept Backlund, but only to the point where it economically makes sense.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

What's your point? Backlund had his career season last year. He's in important piece but he's ultimately replaceable IMO. If he wasn't I expect Treliving would have extended him in the offseason but we have heard instead of Trelving kicking the tires on guys like Turris and Duchene that would ultimately replace Backlund.

Probably the only flaw in Treliving. Doesn’t think we have the players in our system or on the farm already. Backlund has been loyal to this organization his whole career and hasn’t asked for an off-the-chart contract. I’m sure that like you said, Backlund is a complimentary piece and for that reason we have not extended him. We’re still trying to gauge his value, or what to re-sign him for.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

Probably the only flaw in Treliving. Doesn’t think we have the players in our system or on the farm already. Backlund has been loyal to this organization his whole career and hasn’t asked for an off-the-chart contract. I’m sure that like you said, Backlund is a complimentary piece and for that reason we have not extended him. We’re still trying to gauge his value, or what to re-sign him for.

I like Backlund but pending free agency for a player like this is a difficult thing for a GM. Treliving knows he's a popular player and recognizes his solid 2-way contributions but he's been stung by overpaying other free agents like Brouwer (his own fault of course) and players like Backlund are difficult to gauge because his offensive stats don't scream of a player that warrants a long term deal at $5+ million but he brings other intangibles that you have to weigh the pros and cons of his value into his 30's once he becomes a 30-40 point player. Somewhat similar to a player like Andrew Ladd that got overpaid because of intangibles and those deals tend to look poor sooner than later.

[Badgers Nose]

I think if there was a cap friendly contract to be had here with Backlund it would have already happened.

Janko's development trajectory make it really tough to get excited about signing Backlund at market value. I think he is great and would love to see Backlund stay here until his playing is over, but maybe that doesn't work.

There would likely be a serious bidding war for Backlund as a rental for a contender if Flames are out come trade deadline. Guys like Crosby talk him up.

But a bidding war is unlikely because Flames will make the playoffs. In that case its better to risk losing him for nothing post season because he would be vital in any playoff run - for offence and shut down. Plus contract year motivation.

So I doubt anything happens. It would take an exceptional hockey trade and those don't happen too often any more.

[Bourque's Twin]

If the Flames buyout Brouwer after this season, next year this comes off the books (MM):
Backlund - $3.575
Brouwer - $3
Stajan - $3.125
Versteeg - $1.75
Jagr - $1
Jankowski - $0.925
Hathaway - $0.650
F. Hamilton - $0.6125
Kulak - $0.650
Bartkowski - $0.6125
Lack - $0.300
Raymond - $1.050
Rittich - $0.725
TOTAL = $17.975

Of the above, they should re-sign Backlund, Jankowski, Hathaway, Kulak, and Rittich. Then Lazar and 2 other forwards will make up the 4th line. Mangiapane and Klimchuk could make the jump. That should add about $1.7M to the cap. Tack on Bouma and Murphy's increases of $0.1375, and the Flames are left with roughly $16 million to sign those 5.

The cap is set to increase by $3 million to $7 million. The Flames would be smart to budget for $3 million. Now they have $19 million to work with.

Backlund gets $6, Hathaway gets $0.950, Jankowski gets $1.55, Rittich gets $1, and Kulak gets $1. Now the Flames have $8.5 million leftover. I don't think it's wise to use any of that, because the following year they need to re-sign Ferland, Bennett, and Tkachuk. Only Smith comes off the books and all that money should go towards a starting goalie. In my opinion, it would be unwise to trade for a re-signed Evander Kane or any other similar player because of the Flames current cap situation. In my eyes, this also makes it a no-brainer to buyout Brouwer either after this season or the next.

[Backlunds_socks]

Originally Posted by Bourque's Twin

If the Flames buyout Brouwer after this season, next year this comes off the books (MM):
Backlund - $3.575
Brouwer - $3
Stajan - $3.125
Versteeg - $1.75
Jagr - $1
Jankowski - $0.925
Hathaway - $0.650
F. Hamilton - $0.6125
Kulak - $0.650
Bartkowski - $0.6125
Lack - $0.300
Raymond - $1.050
Rittich - $0.725
TOTAL = $17.975

Of the above, they should re-sign Backlund, Jankowski, Hathaway, Kulak, and Rittich. Then Lazar and 2 other forwards will make up the 4th line. Mangiapane and Klimchuk could make the jump. That should add about $1.7M to the cap. Tack on Bouma and Murphy's increases of $0.1375, and the Flames are left with roughly $16 million to sign those 5.

The cap is set to increase by $3 million to $7 million. The Flames would be smart to budget for $3 million. Now they have $19 million to work with.

Backlund gets $6, Hathaway gets $0.950, Jankowski gets $1.55, Rittich gets $1, and Kulak gets $1. Now the Flames have $8.5 million leftover. I don't think it's wise to use any of that, because the following year they need to re-sign Ferland, Bennett, and Tkachuk. Only Smith comes off the books and all that money should go towards a starting goalie. In my opinion, it would be unwise to trade for a re-signed Evander Kane or any other similar player because of the Flames current cap situation. In my eyes, this also makes it a no-brainer to buyout Brouwer either after this season or the next.

Isn’t Brouwer here for 2 more?

[AC]

Originally Posted by Backlunds_socks

Isn’t Brouwer here for 2 more?

Read the first sentence of the post you quoted.

[Jason14h]

Originally Posted by Bourque's Twin

If the Flames buyout Brouwer after this season, next year this comes off the books (MM):
Backlund - $3.575
Brouwer - $3
Stajan - $3.125
Versteeg - $1.75
Jagr - $1
Jankowski - $0.925
Hathaway - $0.650
F. Hamilton - $0.6125
Kulak - $0.650
Bartkowski - $0.6125
Lack - $0.300
Raymond - $1.050
Rittich - $0.725
TOTAL = $17.975

Of the above, they should re-sign Backlund, Jankowski, Hathaway, Kulak, and Rittich. Then Lazar and 2 other forwards will make up the 4th line. Mangiapane and Klimchuk could make the jump. That should add about $1.7M to the cap. Tack on Bouma and Murphy's increases of $0.1375, and the Flames are left with roughly $16 million to sign those 5.

The cap is set to increase by $3 million to $7 million. The Flames would be smart to budget for $3 million. Now they have $19 million to work with.

Backlund gets $6, Hathaway gets $0.950, Jankowski gets $1.55, Rittich gets $1, and Kulak gets $1. Now the Flames have $8.5 million leftover. I don't think it's wise to use any of that, because the following year they need to re-sign Ferland, Bennett, and Tkachuk. Only Smith comes off the books and all that money should go towards a starting goalie. In my opinion, it would be unwise to trade for a re-signed Evander Kane or any other similar player because of the Flames current cap situation. In my eyes, this also makes it a no-brainer to buyout Brouwer either after this season or the next.

So the plan is to run with the exact same team for 2 more years ? The team that is 10th in the conference...

[Vinny01]

I don’t see the Flames buying out Brouwer with more than 1 year on the contract. It is also not this summer but next when there could be a cap crunch (Tkachuk, Bennett, Ferland, Smith/ starting goalie need new deals). Next summer with one year left makes sense as that costs the flames against the cap for 2 years vs next summer when they will have cap penalties for 4 seasons.

[Brick]

I would really like to see a trade involving at least one of the core members of this team.
Losing is just too acceptable and has been for some time.

[RoughRiderRowdy]

Originally Posted by Brick

I would really like to see a trade involving at least one of the core members of this team.
Losing is just too acceptable and has been for some time.

Me too. IMO outside of monahan and gaudreau we have almost zero CONSISTENT offensive threats. Try trading Brodie or Hamilton for a young offensive force. Toronto comes to mind for a nylander or marner. Right handed shots. Also i would like to see more purely offensive players being drafted by us

[Ozy_Flame]

I'm ready to flip Brodie. We can't be hoping on a prayer that he's going to find consistency, because it's just not there year-to-year. He's 27 and on a good contract. I'm sure there can be a 2 for 2 trade made where we get a better winger but still find a reliable dude on the blueline. Let's send him somewhere where pro scouts haven't seen him play much and think he's as good in real life as he sounds on paper.

[killer_carlson]

Do you flip Brodie or do you see if a new coach puts him with a different partner or (gasp) on his preferred side of the ice?

[Bourque's Twin]

Originally Posted by Jason14h

So the plan is to run with the exact same team for 2 more years ? The team that is 10th in the conference...

Pretty much unless they trade core players like Brodie for players with similar cap hits. Jankowski, Ferland, Bennett, Kulak, Tkachuk, Hamilton, and Hathaway should all improve. Monahan and Gaudreau are young. Only Giordano and Smith are old enough to truly regress over the next 2 years but I think Gio will still be very effective.

I think the problem with this team's performance is the coaching, not the roster.

[RoughRiderRowdy]

Originally Posted by killer_carlson

Do you flip Brodie or do you see if a new coach puts him with a different partner or (gasp) on his preferred side of the ice?

This is a professional hockey player were talking about. If he cant learn to play his strong side being on the ice everyday then theres something wrong. As well with his d partner, goos players make players they are on the ice with better.

[killer_carlson]

Originally Posted by RoughRiderRowdy

This is a professional hockey player were talking about. If he cant learn to play his strong side being on the ice everyday then theres something wrong. As well with his d partner, goos players make players they are on the ice with better.

I don't recall the Flames ever asking Lanny McDonald to play left wing.

Or Gary Robert's to play right wing

Or Jarome to line up on the left side.

Or suter
Or regehr


Some players are capable of swapping and do well.

Brodie is serviceable as a left side blueliner,. But I had to note his outstanding tape to tape pass that lead to the first goal came while he was on the right side of the ice.

[Lanny_McDonald]

I said it after game one of the season, and I'll say it again. I'd be moving Brodie. He is an intriguing blend of skill and speed, but he makes way too many mistakes that end up in the back of the net. His decision making is just flat out bad, and changing partners or sides of the ice is not going to cure that. I'd move him for a forward and then use the depth we have the minors to back fill. Andersson and Kylington sound like they are ready to make the jump, especially Andersson. Make a hole for him, and plug a hole up front.

Brodie, Brouwer, Shinkaruk/Poirier/Klimchuk for Sam Reinhart and Moulson

or

Brodie & Shinkaruk/Poirier/Klimchuk for William Nylander

or (going long term)

Brodie & Shinkaruk/Poirier/Klimchuk for Alex Nylander & Cliff Pu

I really believe that you move Brodie to fortify the huge gap on the RW in the organization. It will improve the team immediately, and down the line.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by killer_carlson

Do you flip Brodie or do you see if a new coach puts him with a different partner or (gasp) on his preferred side of the ice?

New coach before moving Brodie not even close. I was saying the same about Bennett before he broke out but Gulutzan wanted to see Sam struggle st centre for nearly 100 games before moving him to the wing where he has looked great after adjusting back to the position.