2017/2018 Trade Speculation and Rumors

[ComixZone]

Bennett is one of the competitive young wingers we have that is actually not part of the problem. As is today, he's an effective 3rd line winger at a very young age. Some fans need to disconnect his draft position and their own expectations from the reality of the team. Bennett is a good player to have on this team. Due to expectations, people are impatient with him yet infinitely patient with a struggling Jankowski...why? Jankowski is a rookie? He's a rookie, and 2 years older than Bennett.

That aside, this team has a culture issue. They struggle when things get important (like the 3rd period of almost every game). You know who we've seen rise to the occasion in big games? Bennett. He was one of our best forwards against Anaheim last season. Performed well against Vancouver as a rookie. He needs to work on his consistency, but when the games get intense - he gets intense.

We need more players like Bennett and Tkachuk, not less.

The Fan 960 guys shredded the team this morning for what can be boiled down to fragility. Our dependable veterans failed us last night. Frolik, Backlund, and Giordano all fell apart when it mattered most last night and we lost. That's unacceptable, but the team should have been in a better place. Again, the PP lost this team the game. No way that should have been 2-1 at that stage of the game with how the team executed during 5v5 play.

With things as they are...how do you fix this? Is it as simple as fixing the PP? Well, the coaches have emphatically shown they can't fix the PP with the current roster. So...does Tree double down? Go get a Hoffman as a new trigger man to help get that extra goal a night - because scoring 2 goals or less a night is not how you win in this league.

I don't think you can afford to waste this season. Elite goalie, great possession numbers, strong defensive play...I vote you double down. Go get Hoffman, and put Cameron in the rafters while pulling Gelinas down to bench level. Gelly takes over the PP effective immediately. Make the call, Tree.

[Vinny01]

Trading more futures to try and save this season is looking like a mistake to me. This team has established a fragile up and down culture that is not going to be fixed by flipping our promising young players for a 28-32 year old that can score 20-30 goals. I don’t see this team being anything more than a first round loser under this coaching staff. Why spend another 1st that we can’t afford to watch this team crumble in critical moments?

Sign or trade Backlund, ride the season out and make some major changes in the summer

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

Trading more futures to try and save this season is looking like a mistake to me. This team has established a fragile up and down culture that is not going to be fixed by flipping our promising young players for a 28-32 year old that can score 20-30 goals. I don’t see this team being anything more than a first round loser under this coaching staff. Why spend another 1st that we can’t afford to spend if this team is just going to crumble in critical moments?

Sign or trade Backlund, ride the season out and make some major changes in the summer

How many of these problems are tied directly back to an inept powerplay though? We can over analyze and blow things out of proportion but the hard truth is if this team stopped losing games because of the PP, they'd likely be up at Vegas' level. It's an incredibly tight race, and it's that way across the league thanks to to the forced parity due to how the point system is structured.

I think so many of our complaints and concerns simply fade away if the PP gets fixed.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

How many of these problems are tied directly back to an inept powerplay though? We can over analyze and blow things out of proportion but the hard truth is if this team stopped losing games because of the PP, they'd likely be up at Vegas' level. It's an incredibly tight race, and it's that way across the league thanks to to the forced parity due to how the point system is structured.

I think so many of our complaints and concerns simply fade away if the PP gets fixed.

How is missing a single 4th line skilled winger tanking the power play? It is bad coaching in my opinion and I am not convinced Hoffman comes in here and has great success.

I absolutely agree with you this team needs another skilled forward that can put the puck in the back of the net. I am just losing faith that this team is close to anything other than an early playoff exit and I believe that is due to the coaching staff in place.

We are 132 games into GG’a tenure and this team has rarely been consistent for more than a 10 game stretch and have had moments where they appear so fragile a slight breeze will knock them down. To me that is the culture the coaches have established.

[GioforPM]

I'm not sure the PP problems are personnel based. Vancouver is 6th in the league with only one really good offensive player (Boeser) based on their overall points. So what is it? It's got to be effort and system based. Even a team like Minnesota is 3% better, without the level of offence that Gaudreau, Monahan, Tkachuk and Gio should be able to bring.

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

I'm not sure the PP problems are personnel based. Vancouver is 6th in the league with only one really good offensive player (Boeser) based on their overall points. So what is it? It's got to be effort and system based. Even a team like Minnesota is 3% better, without the level of offence that Gaudreau, Monahan, Tkachuk and Gio should be able to bring.

I’d happily agree that it’s systematic, but adding a true sniper who has a quick release and can beat a goalie from a ways out is something we lack and it could help. The system is awful though, and it’s definitely the main culprit.

[Toonage]

New coach/new voice and a bonafide sniper would not hurt. That's for sure.

[Jiggy]

Originally Posted by Toonage

New coach/new voice and a bonafide sniper would not hurt. That's for sure.

I wonder what Darryl could get out of this team.

[Toonage]

Originally Posted by Jiggy

I wonder what Darryl could get out of this team.

More. Unquestionably, more.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

I’d happily agree that it’s systematic, but adding a true sniper who has a quick release and can beat a goalie from a ways out is something we lack and it could help. The system is awful though, and it’s definitely the main culprit.

But IMO it's not a matter of a sniper. It's getting a guy with a shot at a moving goalie. Even guys who can really shoot like Laine or Boeser are going to miss or hit the goalie who has time to be set.

[Harry Lime]

I know that it's a trade speculation thread, but it's starting to become clear that we can't even evaluate our own players at the moment because of some glaring systemic issues.

Find new positions for the assistants, and bring in a combination of two of Gelinas, Otto or Tim Hunter behind the bench. Some past on-ice pedigree and ability to intimidate might be what the team needs.

[FlamesFanTrev]

Originally Posted by Harry Lime

I know that it's a trade speculation thread, but it's starting to become clear that we can't even evaluate our own players at the moment because of some glaring systemic issues.

Find new positions for the assistants, and bring in a combination of two of Gelinas, Otto or Tim Hunter behind the bench. Some past on-ice pedigree and ability to intimidate might be what the team needs.

"Interesting. I see your Coffey hiring, and I raise you a Joel Otto...."

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by Toonage

More. Unquestionably, more.

I read that article where Dustin Brown talks about the emotion Autter brought to the Kings in 2012 and how it helped them steam roll those playoffs as the 8 seed

With our blueline and goaltending I absolutely believe this team could go on a lengthy playoff run but I can’t see this team overcoming a series deficit with this coaching staff in charge.

[Harry Lime]

Originally Posted by FlamesFanTrev

"Interesting. I see your Coffey hiring, and I raise you a Joel Otto...."

Otto has 5 years experience at the WHL level, whereas Coffey has no mid or high level experience. Otto is also already part of the 'Flames Family', as it were.

Gelinas would be just a change of role, and Hunter has the most experience by far. Either way, that's three hard to ignore voices.

[afc wimbledon]

Originally Posted by Harry Lime

I know that it's a trade speculation thread, but it's starting to become clear that we can't even evaluate our own players at the moment because of some glaring systemic issues.

Find new positions for the assistants, and bring in a combination of two of Gelinas, Otto or Tim Hunter behind the bench. Some past on-ice pedigree and ability to intimidate might be what the team needs.

Worked for the Oilers

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

But IMO it's not a matter of a sniper. It's getting a guy with a shot at a moving goalie. Even guys who can really shoot like Laine or Boeser are going to miss or hit the goalie who has time to be set.

Yeah good point, it really does make me frustrated that we have the players we do...yet the coaches can't put together a passable set-up.

All we do is take stationary wristers from the point, or the occasional one-timer from Backlund (...which leads to nothing).

[JayP]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

I'm not sure the PP problems are personnel based. Vancouver is 6th in the league with only one really good offensive player (Boeser) based on their overall points. So what is it? It's got to be effort and system based. Even a team like Minnesota is 3% better, without the level of offence that Gaudreau, Monahan, Tkachuk and Gio should be able to bring.

It may actually be personnel based. Our forward group is lacking right handed shots with any semblance of skill. There's a reason why when Versteeg got hurt that the powerplay fell apart. It wasn't because Versteeg's amazing ability was the lynch pin, it was because he was the only right handed option available.

Right now, our top unit consists of all left handed shots. They may all individually have the talent to be on an effective powerplay unit, but as a group it's hard to overcome the lack of options you have when you don't have a mix of lefties and righties. Especially when it's Backlund filling the slot Versteeg played and he isn't much of a one timer threat. The opposing PK tends to tighten things up on Gaudreau's side and give Backlund space to shoot, which isn't his forte.

I'm not sure there is a fix on the Flames roster right now. They should try Hamilton on the top powerplay unit in Backlund's slot. But that just leaves 5 lefties on the second unit and you aren't that much better off.

This is where the Lazar trade is really hurting the Flames. Clearly they thought he was going to be the answer as a right-handed offensive threat that the team desperately needs and he's been a total dud. With Brouwer being a complete bust of a free agent signing too, the Flames have no options for right handed forwards.

[howard_the_duck]

Originally Posted by JayP

It may actually be personnel based. Our forward group is lacking right handed shots with any semblance of skill. There's a reason why when Versteeg got hurt that the powerplay fell apart. It wasn't because Versteeg's amazing ability was the lynch pin, it was because he was the only right handed option available.

Right now, our top unit consists of all left handed shots. They may all individually have the talent to be on an effective powerplay unit, but as a group it's hard to overcome the lack of options you have when you don't have a mix of lefties and righties. Especially when it's Backlund filling the slot Versteeg played and he isn't much of a one timer threat. The opposing PK tends to tighten things up on Gaudreau's side and give Backlund space to shoot, which isn't his forte.

I'm not sure there is a fix on the Flames roster right now. They should try Hamilton on the top powerplay unit in Backlund's slot. But that just leaves 5 lefties on the second unit and you aren't that much better off.

This is where the Lazar trade is really hurting the Flames. Clearly they thought he was going to be the answer as a right-handed offensive threat that the team desperately needs and he's been a total dud. With Brouwer being a complete bust of a free agent signing too, the Flames have no options for right handed forwards.

Couldn't agree more. They are also lacking a trigger man on the PP. Someone you scheme around for one timer, where teams need to cheat to cover, and open things up elsewhere.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by JayP

It may actually be personnel based. Our forward group is lacking right handed shots with any semblance of skill. There's a reason why when Versteeg got hurt that the powerplay fell apart. It wasn't because Versteeg's amazing ability was the lynch pin, it was because he was the only right handed option available.

Right now, our top unit consists of all left handed shots. They may all individually have the talent to be on an effective powerplay unit, but as a group it's hard to overcome the lack of options you have when you don't have a mix of lefties and righties. Especially when it's Backlund filling the slot Versteeg played and he isn't much of a one timer threat. The opposing PK tends to tighten things up on Gaudreau's side and give Backlund space to shoot, which isn't his forte.

I'm not sure there is a fix on the Flames roster right now. They should try Hamilton on the top powerplay unit in Backlund's slot. But that just leaves 5 lefties on the second unit and you aren't that much better off.

This is where the Lazar trade is really hurting the Flames. Clearly they thought he was going to be the answer as a right-handed offensive threat that the team desperately needs and he's been a total dud. With Brouwer being a complete bust of a free agent signing too, the Flames have no options for right handed forwards.

I'm not sure a trigger man on the right side of a PP needs to be right handed. I get the importance in other aspects, especially D transition and for forwards entering a zone and protecting the puck, but for a one timer, a LH shot on the right side is not a bad thing.

http://www.nhlspecialteams.com/blog/...the-power-play

[Macho0978]

Originally Posted by JayP

It may actually be personnel based. Our forward group is lacking right handed shots with any semblance of skill. There's a reason why when Versteeg got hurt that the powerplay fell apart. It wasn't because Versteeg's amazing ability was the lynch pin, it was because he was the only right handed option available.

Right now, our top unit consists of all left handed shots. They may all individually have the talent to be on an effective powerplay unit, but as a group it's hard to overcome the lack of options you have when you don't have a mix of lefties and righties. Especially when it's Backlund filling the slot Versteeg played and he isn't much of a one timer threat. The opposing PK tends to tighten things up on Gaudreau's side and give Backlund space to shoot, which isn't his forte.

I'm not sure there is a fix on the Flames roster right now. They should try Hamilton on the top powerplay unit in Backlund's slot. But that just leaves 5 lefties on the second unit and you aren't that much better off.

This is where the Lazar trade is really hurting the Flames. Clearly they thought he was going to be the answer as a right-handed offensive threat that the team desperately needs and he's been a total dud. With Brouwer being a complete bust of a free agent signing too, the Flames have no options for right handed forwards.

I agree on most of this. I think too many people on here underestimate how much harder it is to score on a PP when you have 5 lefties or guys who are right handed but have no business being on the PP. But if you take a closer look at the PP points by player

Gaudreau - 18
Tkachuk - 11
Monahan - 11
Brodie - 10
Backlund - 9
Giordano - 7
Versteeg - 5
Ferland - 5
Brouwer - 4
Jagr - 1

All these guys have had some time on the first unit

Guys that haven't had much or none so far

Hamilton - 4
Bennett - 2
Jankowski - 1

I don't know for sure but would love to see how many PP goals the first unit has vs the 2nd. To me it looks like the 2nd has hardly scored all year. If that is the case why not move Hamilton up to the first unit and at least fix the 5 lefties on our first unit issue rather than leave Hamilton on the 2nd unit? The fact that Hamilton has 4 PP points all year is terrible. The guy had 50 points last year and 14 on the PP. For me fixing the first unit is more important as it's pretty clear the 2nd unit is garbage

I'd consider Hamilton getting the Ovechkin treatment as well. They can always play Gio with Stone for a shift after the PP. Play Dougie the full 2 minutes until you add a good right handed shot