[Rumour] Free agent courting period news and rumors

[Toonage]

Edit: Beaten

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by topfiverecords

I’d trade Gaudreau for Couturier. $2.4M cheaper and only a year older. Philadelphia probably adds too because they know Gaudreau will be a lock to extend there long term.

They probably add because Gaudreau is a better player...top 5 in MVP voting

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by topfiverecords

I’d trade Gaudreau for Couturier. $2.4M cheaper and only a year older. Philadelphia probably adds too because they know Gaudreau will be a lock to extend there long term.

Originally Posted by dino7c

They probably add because Gaudreau is a better player...top 5 in MVP voting

Yeah, and I am not sure why Philadelphia would assume that Gaudreau would be a "lock" to re-sign there. When he hits UFA he is going to make a fortune, and most likely will sign the highest offer on the table—I expect there will be several to choose from.

[Harry Lime]

Originally Posted by topfiverecords

Can you work to confirm that?

No problem. The last trade rumours on Couturier coming from reliable sources was during the 13-14 season. Philadelphia Metro calls Couturier a 'lock' for the top line. So local papers arn't even discussing it.

[topfiverecords]

Originally Posted by Harry Lime

No problem. The last trade rumours on Couturier coming from reliable sources was during the 13-14 season. Philadelphia Metro calls Couturier a 'lock' for the top line. So local papers arn't even discussing it.

Flames aren’t publicly stating intent of trading Gaudreau either.

I was asked if I’d trade Gaudreau to acquire a #1 center for an older more expensive player. I answered. A lower cap hit at that.

I could replace Couturier with every 29 other #1 centers across the league and you say the same thing.

Hopefully management doesn’t rely on the media for status of player availability.

[topfiverecords]

Originally Posted by btimbit

Only real way you get those these days is in the draft, suggesting they just go find one in July is kind of like saying they should just trade for McDavid and Malkin. Sounds great but it's not going to happen

Who said anything about July. We have plenty of similar centers as Kadri. Backlund, Ryan, Jankowski or Dube will hold 2-4. If this team intends on being cup contenders for multiple years they need to upgrade at #1 center.

Adding Kadri only makes us marginally better.

Sounds like all you folk want to discuss is easy acquisitions and player movement that is obvious by way of insider trade rumours and blast “that’ll never happen” to everything else. Management is likely going to put some more effort into things than that.

Brad Treliving: “We should explore what we can do to upgrade the #1 center position. (Discuss developed plan for a roster housing Monahan as #2 center, potential trade targets, benefits, cap and contract considerations, future roster projections, etc etc)”
Assistant to the assistant of the assistant GM: “That’ll never happen. You might as well try to acquire McDavid. Everyone knows you can only find #1 centers in the draft.”
Brad Treliving: “Well son, you’re right. I guess I best be gettin on back home to the Mrs. anyway. You’ve got management material written all over you.”

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by topfiverecords

Who said anything about July. We have plenty of similar centers as Kadri. Backlund, Ryan, Jankowski or Dube will hold 2-4. If this team intends on being cup contenders for multiple years they need to upgrade at #1 center.

Adding Kadri only makes us marginally better.

Kadri is a better player than all of those guys. Backlund is a better defensive presence, but that's it.

[Yoho]

Originally Posted by topfiverecords

Who said anything about July. We have plenty of similar centers as Kadri. Backlund, Ryan, Jankowski or Dube will hold 2-4. If this team intends on being cup contenders for multiple years they need to upgrade at #1 center.

Adding Kadri only makes us marginally better.

I don’t see the similarity of those centers compared to Kadri.

[topfiverecords]

Originally Posted by transplant99

Kadri is a better player than all of those guys. Backlund is a better defensive presence, but that's it.

Marginally better. Ryan is a great option at #3 so unless it’s Backlund out and Kadri in I don’t see the point.

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by topfiverecords

Marginally better. Ryan is a great option at #3 so unless it’s Backlund out and Kadri in I don’t see the point.

You dont see the point of having 2 Backlunds vs a Backlund and a Janko?

I am certainly no fan of the idea of Kadri but your take is skewed.

Having him in the 2 or 3 C hole while Backlund fills the other is incredible depth. Similar to Cros, Malkin and Jordan Staal. They're not nearly as talent as the pittsburgh trio but you get the meaning.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by topfiverecords

Marginally better. Ryan is a great option at #3 so unless it’s Backlund out and Kadri in I don’t see the point.

Well there is nothing to stop Backlund from being a really good 2 way/shutdown guy...not sure there is anything wrong with that. Kadri is way better offensively and more than that he has serious snarl in his game. Something this club lacks in spades. Kadri would slot MB on the 3rd line where he is a much better fit.

jankowski can move to wing where there is a dearth of RW guys.

Its never a problem improving your team and Kadri does that in a pretty big way.

[topfiverecords]

Originally Posted by dammage79

You dont see the point of having 2 Backlunds vs a Backlund and a Janko?

I am certainly no fan of the idea of Kadri but your take is skewed.

Having him in the 2 or 3 C hole while Backlund fills the other is incredible depth. Similar to Cros, Malkin and Jordan Staal. They're not nearly as talent as the pittsburgh trio but you get the meaning.

Then Ryan is wasted on the 4th line, you’re forced to move Jankowksi and Dube has no possibility of time at C. $4.5M is also added to the cap for the next 3 years. Can be better used elsewhere.

[topfiverecords]

Originally Posted by transplant99

Well there is nothing to stop Backlund from being a really good 2 way/shutdown guy...not sure there is anything wrong with that. Kadri is way better offensively and more than that he has serious snarl in his game. Something this club lacks in spades. Kadri would slot MB on the 3rd line where he is a much better fit.

jankowski can move to wing where there is a dearth of RW guys.

Its never a problem improving your team and Kadri does that in a pretty big way.

I wouldn’t say he’s way better offensively but if you want to increase our center depth without slotting someone above Monahan, move Lindholm to C and acquire a winger.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by topfiverecords

I wouldn’t say he’s way better offensively but if you want to increase our center depth without slotting someone above Monahan, move Lindholm to C and acquire a winger.

He scored 32 goals 2 years in a row...then the Leafs bring in Tavares and he finds himself with 3rd line ice time behind Matthews and JT.

Why would you want to move Lindholm when he works so well on the top line?

People don't like Kadri cause he plays on the edge and has stepped over it a couple times, but the guy is a very good player and brings things that the Flames could use badly.

[topfiverecords]

Originally Posted by transplant99

He scored 32 goals 2 years in a row...then the Leafs bring in Tavares and he finds himself with 3rd line ice time behind Matthews and JT.

Why would you want to move Lindholm when he works so well on the top line?

People don't like Kadri cause he plays on the edge and has stepped over it a couple times, but the guy is a very good player and brings things that the Flames could use badly.

There’s bigger needs to address before worrying about where Lindholm slots in long term but if you’re going to evaluate the C position while discussing Kadri you might as well look at internal options that allows you to do something else.

Does the assets you move for Kadri net you a different forward that might be better suited for the wing that makes the team better overall long term, and in which case you give yourself more roster options. If you have Monahan-Kadri-Backlund-Ryan you’re 100% never playing Lindholm as a dedicated center. You’re not playing any of those 4 on the wing if Lindholm doesn’t continue to perform at the same level on the wing.

[dustygoon]

Originally Posted by OutOfTheCube

Not sure if it’s been posted here but Kypreos on Hockey Central said Zuccarello was going to Buffalo.

Cool story bro. Any flames related info?

[Sandman]

Don't forget that Kadri has been in the Selke conversation the last few years-yes, he steps over the line occasionally, but aquiring him makes us more than "marginally" better. Like Damage said, I would rather have 2 Backlunds than a Backlund and a Janko. He chips in with good offense, and would provide sandpaper, which we need.

[mrdonkey]

Originally Posted by topfiverecords

Who said anything about July. We have plenty of similar centers as Kadri. Backlund, Ryan, Jankowski or Dube will hold 2-4. If this team intends on being cup contenders for multiple years they need to upgrade at #1 center.

Er... Kadri is better than all of those players.

[dammage79]

I'm still very mystified as to how you upgrade on Monahan. It's like some prevalent misguided thought that he is not better than some of the top 15-20 centers playing. When hes top ten in scoring for all centers. Which is the primary function of the top line center. So....hes doing his job. Who can you realistically get better than him at his cap hit and age????

Bueller? Bueller?

#1 c is fine. And honestly I've said it from the end of game 5, Janko was the weak link when the chips were down. Backs too to a much lesser extent.

If this Kadri thing is true, then you know that the team feels the same way.

Dont like it because I dont like Kadri, but I get why they'd do it.

[TheScorpion]

It wasn't long ago that Nazem Kadri was outscoring Sean Monahan. Having two guys capable of producing similar offense in the top-6 will be huge. Backlund has always been a step or two behind Monahan. Playing with Tkachuk or even Gaudreau instead of Toronto's third-liners, I think it's reasonable to suggest Kadri could hit 60 points again or maybe even 70.