2019/2020 Trade Speculation and Rumors 2.0

[Nelson]

I think Gaudreau is still a great player on a great contract. The Flames should get a great return from a team that has their centre ice position figured out and is desperate to improve. Ex: The Buffalo Sabres.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

Good teams are built through the !@#$ing draft. Full stop.

Look at the Flames right now

Top line - 2 drafted players
Second line - 3 drafted players
Third line - 2 drafted players
Fourth line - 0-1 drafted player (Jankowski)

Top pair D - 2 drafted players (all intents and purposes Gio was signed out of Jr)
Second pair - 1 drafted player
Third pair - 0 drafted players
Extras - 2 key guys in Valimaki and Kylington

Goalies - Rittich developed through the system.

The Flames have largely built their team through the draft with their first line forward and second pair D that were acquired via trade.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Nelson

I think Gaudreau is still a great player on a great contract. The Flames should get a great return from a team that has their centre ice position figured out and is desperate to improve. Ex: The Buffalo Sabres.

IMO it's just a matter of him being in a place he's happy, closer to home and playing with a more dynamic center for him to get right back to being a top 10 scorer. He should fetch a solid return from an eastern team looking to add elite skill and star power.

[CliffFletcher]

Anyone who thinks Gaudreau's play is down to coaching must be watching different games than I'm watching. He simply isn't capable of beating opposing players with the moves he used to beat them with anymore. He's not as quick as he once was, and opposing players (and coaches) know his bag of tricks and how to defend against them. If Gaudreau wants to go back to being a consistent 5 on 5 threat, he has to adapt and change his style of play - when's the last time he actually beat a goalie with the 'shoot from a bad angle while driving wide around the net' play? And doing strength training wouldn't hurt either.

[Roof-Daddy]

Meh.

I predict Johnny gets traded this off season, probably to Philly, and goes right back to being an 80 point player right off the hop. People are over thinking his down season IMO. His skill hasn't diminished. Teams haven't "figured him out", his problem is just between his ears and I really think his heart is back home.

I just hope Treliving can get value for him.

[Moneyhands23]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

Anyone who thinks Gaudreau's play is down to coaching must be watching different games than I'm watching. He simply isn't capable of beating opposing players with the moves he used to beat them with anymore. He's not as quick as he once was, and opposing players (and coaches) know his bag of tricks and how to defend against them. If Gaudreau wants to go back to being a consistent 5 on 5 threat, he has to adapt and change his style of play - when's the last time he actually beat a goalie with the 'shoot from a bad angle while driving wide around the net' play? And doing strength training wouldn't hurt either.

In the back of my mind Johnny is just a bit unfit. He needs to work so hard on his core and fitness if he wants to play in the playoffs. That and he really needs to be with a big fast centre that can carry the puck and not be the only real option.
It's kind of sad watching him skate in attract 2 guys to him and have nobody to pass to. I hope he gets it together, Unfortunately it will likely be for another team.

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

Anyone who thinks Gaudreau's play is down to coaching must be watching different games than I'm watching. He simply isn't capable of beating opposing players with the moves he used to beat them with anymore. He's not as quick as he once was, and opposing players (and coaches) know his bag of tricks and how to defend against them. If Gaudreau wants to go back to being a consistent 5 on 5 threat, he has to adapt and change his style of play - when's the last time he actually beat a goalie with the 'shoot from a bad angle while driving wide around the net' play? And doing strength training wouldn't hurt either.

Why would coaching not be part of it?

The reason he goes one on one/two/three, and loses, is that he and his linemates are not in sync. Without the puck support of his linemates, and options to keep the defenders honest, they can key on him

That’s why I was mentioning him blowing the zone, and how frustrating and ineffective it has been. It’s only useful if he gets a breakaway, or a 1 on 1 situation where the defender is flat footed.

When the top line was killing it last year, they were moving as a unit and there are a ton of highlights with them moving the puck like the globetrotters.

The whole transition game isn’t where it needs to be.

Also somebody needs to show Johnny video on Patrick Kane. You see him curling out from behind the net and finding the high slot. Very smart player. He should try to emulate him.

I wonder at times how smart of a player Johnny is. The skill is obviously there but he has clearly hit a wall and is struggling to adapt to the opposition.

[Monahammer]

Gaudreau for Frost/Patrick+Myers
Gaudreau for 8th Overall+Montour
Gaudreau for 7th overall+Zacha/severson

I think these are all still achievable, even if people are becoming suspect about Gaudreau's abilities. Those pieces are largely lottery tickets or players who wont ever be at Gaudreau's value, yet stand to improve our roster significantly.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

Anyone who thinks Gaudreau's play is down to coaching must be watching different games than I'm watching. He simply isn't capable of beating opposing players with the moves he used to beat them with anymore. He's not as quick as he once was, and opposing players (and coaches) know his bag of tricks and how to defend against them. If Gaudreau wants to go back to being a consistent 5 on 5 threat, he has to adapt and change his style of play - when's the last time he actually beat a goalie with the 'shoot from a bad angle while driving wide around the net' play? And doing strength training wouldn't hurt either.

The issue here is that you have a small winger that pretty well has to do all the heavy lifting for the first line. Monahan is probably the least dynamic 1st line center in the league, not a great skater, not an elite passer, and not great in the transition game. Teams know that Johnny is the guy that's going to be taking the puck into the offensive zone and set up the play and they simply focus on Gaudreau to shut the line down as Monahan doesn't move the needle at all. Lindholm is a nice player but he's a complementary utility guy that has nice finish. You match Gaudreau with a dynamic center and that line could lead the league in scoring. I'm not a Monahan hater but we are clearly seeing that this is the ceiling for a team with Monahan as it's first line center.

[Manhattanboy]

Doubtful JG would resign with the Flames so Treliving has no choice.

[Fan69]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

The issue here is that you have a small winger that pretty well has to do all the heavy lifting for the first line. Monahan is probably the least dynamic 1st line center in the league, not a great skater, not an elite passer, and not great in the transition game. Teams know that Johnny is the guy that's going to be taking the puck into the offensive zone and set up the play and they simply focus on Gaudreau to shut the line down as Monahan doesn't move the needle at all. Lindholm is a nice player but he's a complementary utility guy that has nice finish. You match Gaudreau with a dynamic center and that line could lead the league in scoring. I'm not a Monahan hater but we are clearly seeing that this is the ceiling for a team with Monahan as it's first line center.

Very artfully put. Monahan is a good player but lets look at some of the centers he consistently has to line up against including the orange sweat stains up north. The question is is it easier to add depth or to improve on Monahan. I say it is far easier to add depth, the guys that are clearly better pretty much aren't going anywhere and I just don't buy the Monahan for Eichel thing as anywhere near real or possible.

[IrishSpring2013]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

Anyone who thinks Gaudreau's play is down to coaching must be watching different games than I'm watching.

Has anyone dismissed Gaudreau's poor play and blamed 100% of it on coaching? What sort of strawman is that?

Most of the blame goes towards Gaudreau but Ward's coaching hasn't exactly been stellar either. There is more than enough blame to go around.

[IrishSpring2013]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

The issue here is that you have a small winger that pretty well has to do all the heavy lifting for the first line. Monahan is probably the least dynamic 1st line center in the league, not a great skater, not an elite passer, and not great in the transition game. Teams know that Johnny is the guy that's going to be taking the puck into the offensive zone and set up the play and they simply focus on Gaudreau to shut the line down as Monahan doesn't move the needle at all. Lindholm is a nice player but he's a complementary utility guy that has nice finish. You match Gaudreau with a dynamic center and that line could lead the league in scoring. I'm not a Monahan hater but we are clearly seeing that this is the ceiling for a team with Monahan as it's first line center.

Originally Posted by Manhattanboy

Doubtful JG would resign with the Flames so Treliving has no choice.

Gaudreau scored almost 100 points on a line with Monahan and Lindholm, no doubt he could return to that if he's the drink instead of the straw. That's not dismissing his poor play and regardless of the season he's having moving him this "summer" is the right move but he shouldn't be "the" guy.

You put Gaudreau with a center who's capable of leading the play and even in poor games he'll still put up points.

[ricardodw]

Originally Posted by Moneyhands23

In the back of my mind Johnny is just a bit unfit. He needs to work so hard on his core and fitness if he wants to play in the playoffs. That and he really needs to be with a big fast centre that can carry the puck and not be the only real option.
It's kind of sad watching him skate in attract 2 guys to him and have nobody to pass to. I hope he gets it together, Unfortunately it will likely be for another team.

He is on a line with Monahan and Lindholm. He is mainly has Gio Brodie Anderson and Hanifin on the ice with him. He plays on the #1 PP accounting for around 15% of his ice -time.

Who the heck are the weak links that can't take advantage of Gaudreau drawing two players to him?


He isn't likely to go to a team where he gets a significant upgrade on guys to pass to.

[868904]

Originally Posted by ricardodw

He is on a line with Monahan and Lindholm. He is mainly has Gio Brodie Anderson and Hanifin on the ice with him. He plays on the #1 PP accounting for around 15% of his ice -time.

Who the heck are the weak links that can't take advantage of Gaudreau drawing two players to him?


He isn't likely to go to a team where he gets a significant upgrade on guys to pass to.

The problem is two fold:

1) Johnny has a muffin shot, and the opposition knows this. They keep him to the perimeter and he’s not scoring from there;
2) Mony and to some extent Lindy, go to the exact same places ALL the time waiting for Johnny to pass the puck to them. The high slot. The problem? The opposition knows this and they crowd that area so Mony can’t get a good shot through.

They are easy to defend because they haven’t adapted. Someone isn’t doing there job, the video coach should be pointing this out and if it being pointed out then it’s on Johnny and Mony for not adapting.

I’ve been saying this for a week now. They need to score ugly goals. Johnny needs to get low shots on net and Mony needs to camp out in front of the net for rebounds. This is exactly how Bennett scored his second goal in game 4, Lucic purposely puts a low hard shot into the goalies pads and Bennett pounced on the rebound.

The problem is the top line only likes to score pretty goals. The key is low and hard shots into the pads. Johnny loves his high shot aiming for the corners and it usually misses and exits the zone or leads to a turnover. Or he will put it right into the goalies chest. Shoot low and hard and have garbage man Mony get the rebound.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by Moneyhands23

It's kind of sad watching him skate in attract 2 guys to him and have nobody to pass to. I hope he gets it together, Unfortunately it will likely be for another team.

Bravo! Someone who can see the most obvious things. A team that used to be more wide open, use open ice, and create open ice for each other, has shifted back to playing their lanes and being more defensively responsible, which they suck at. All systems and coaching. All I've seen this season are guys who play along the boards and refuse to go to open ice. All creativity and usefulness of guys like Gaudreau, Tkachuk, Mangiapane, Ryan, etc. smothered out of the team in hopes of not making mistakes. Problem is, these guys aren't built for that game, they suck at that game, and they make even more mistakes trying to play that game.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Fan69

Very artfully put. Monahan is a good player but lets look at some of the centers he consistently has to line up against including the orange sweat stains up north. The question is is it easier to add depth or to improve on Monahan. I say it is far easier to add depth, the guys that are clearly better pretty much aren't going anywhere and I just don't buy the Monahan for Eichel thing as anywhere near real or possible.

I don't think there's a quick fix to improve on Monahan. Teams with elite 1st lind centers don't typically trade them. If they move on from Gaudreau they will probably have to go hard after Hall (may be high cost but its at least only money and not assets to acquire) to fill the void as there's nobody in the organization ready to take that spot on the 1st line. I think the GM needs to consider drafting the best center available (or look into trading up) in the first round when they pick as there needs to be a succession plan in place for Monahan and Backlund.

[Voodooman]

There are a number of RFA centres who will be available. Either try the dreaded offer sheet, or a sign and trade deal (Johnny for Nolan Patrick ++)?

Having watched up close over the past week, I do like Hintz's game, and he is an RFA. Put the offer sheet out there, and at least make Dallas match it. You're going to have to overpay for a potential 1C, there will be no deals to be had, so pick the guy you like the best and roll the dice.

Man, really piss off Torts and send a 6 year, $9 million offer sheet to Dubois. I love that kids game. Imagine him and Chucky on the same team.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by Voodooman

There are a number of RFA centres who will be available. Either try the dreaded offer sheet, or a sign and trade deal (Johnny for Nolan Patrick ++)?

Having watched up close over the past week, I do like Hintz's game, and he is an RFA. Put the offer sheet out there, and at least make Dallas match it. You're going to have to overpay for a potential 1C, there will be no deals to be had, so pick the guy you like the best and roll the dice.

Man, really piss off Torts and send a 6 year, $9 million offer sheet to Dubois. I love that kids game. Imagine him and Chucky on the same team.

I think we need to hope Dubois and Columbus get caught in tough contract negotiations.

Then float out a Monahan for Dubois trade over to them.

[ComixZone]

This off-season is going to be interesting - as there are already some breadcrumbs out there that we can look at:

- Flames were in talks twice with Toronto regarding Brodie. Once was for Kadri, and once was rumoured to be a Brodie for Barrie swap. Could this mean the Flames have interest in Tyson Barrie as a UFA? Given neither Brodie nor Hamonic have been extended, it won't shock me to see the Flames go after Barrie as a UFA - especially with Giordano's drop-off and Gustafsson's less than stellar 5v5 play.

- Friedman mentioned back in November that Calgary is not interested in "selling low" on Johnny Gaudreau, however he has discussed that he believes this year is the last kick at the can for this group of core players. I wouldn't think a Johnny Gaudreau trade is out of the question.

- two off-seasons in a row the Flames have been linked to Patrick Maroon who is once again a UFA this coming off-season. With Calgary's lack of playoff experience on the roster and general lack of size on the 4th line - he could be a target again.

- in each of the last three seasons the Flames have been heavily linked to the "big" deadline pieces. Evander Kane in 2017/2018, Mark Stone in 2018/2019, and Taylor Hall in 2019/2020. Treliving clearly sees the need to upgrade the wing position

- As mentioned, Calgary was in on Taylor Hall before he was dealt to Arizona. Rumours of Hall having interest in signing in Calgary have been out there for almost a year.

- Calgary was rumoured as one of the teams trying to acquire Josh Anderson before Columbus shut down trade talks and the player for the year. Eric Duhatschek mentioned in July the Flames are "very interested" in the player.

- Lebrun has recently stated the Flames did reach out to Talbot's camp during the shutdown to express interest in retaining Talbot next season. Talbs himself has said he'd be open to a return, although he also said this:

“I think as long as I would get a fair chance off the bat (to be the starter) — I don’t know if this year I really got that,” said Talbot of a potential return.

Which I think translates pretty clearly to "make me the #1, and I'll return" I imagine money and term will do the talking when it comes to Talbot and the Flames going forward