Value of Oliver Ekman-Larsson to Calgary

[bax]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

I think the Flames probably feel like

OEL
Gio
Valimaki

is better. I don't think the organization has a very high opinion of Kylington at this point.

No Hanifin?

[bax]

Originally Posted by Igottago

I admit I haven't watched him closely over the last few seasons but why are people assuming OEL is done at 29? Lots of good defensemen have played at a high level well into their 30's. Gio won a Norris at 35ish. OEL could easily have 5-7 great to solid years left in his career. I find it strange that people write off players that haven't even hit 30 yet.

People aren’t saying he’s done. We are just arguing that he is about to be vastly overpaid for what he brings.

His play over the past 2 seasons has been nowhere near that of an 8 million dollar defenseman. It’s highly unlikely it will be in 3, 4, 5 years.

Especially true with a stagnant cap.

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by bax

No Hanifin?

I think the Flames are happy to use Hanifin as a piece to help them upgrade.

I think if there's a trade between the Flames and Yotes for Kuemper and OEL that Hanifin will be the major piece Calgary sends back.

[bax]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

I think the Flames are happy to use Hanifin as a piece to help them upgrade.

I think if there's a trade between the Flames and Yotes for Kuemper and OEL that Hanifin will be the major piece Calgary sends back.

Ah I see.

I certainly hope that’s not the case.

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by bax

Ah I see.

I certainly hope that’s not the case.

I think my original proposal was

OEL + Kuemper + rights to Hall

for

Hanifin + 1st + Ryan + Edmonton 3rd

[TheScorpion]

I'd rather keep Hanifin, Ryan, and the picks, personally.

The Flames' two players cost $8 million. Those three Coyotes collectively cost ($8.25m + $4.5m + probably $8m at least) roughly $21 million.

These Flames can't afford to take on $13 million in salary for marginal upgrades while also losing picks. That would be colossally dumb.

[ForeverFlameFan]

It only makes sense for the Flames to acquire OEL if Giordano is moving out. That way you can have OEL/Hanifin/Valimaki. If Valimaki plays good enough to be a top 4 defender, then it would make sense to make Hanifin expendable.

It makes more sense to roll with Hanifin still. However, OEL does have top pairing experience. If we truly are going for OEL then I think it means management doesn't believe Hanifin has what it takes to be Cagary's top pairing LD.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

I think my original proposal was

OEL + Kuemper + rights to Hall

for

Hanifin + 1st + Ryan + Edmonton 3rd

$12.75M in and $8.075M going out

Not much value in Hall's rights in that scenario, because they wouldn't be able to sign him

Add Lucic to balance the cash and it might make sense

[Ashasx]

How can anyone want that deal?

The Flames would just continue to get older. More trading away picks. More mediocrity.

This is the opposite of what the Flames should do. If BT does anything like that, he's in absolute panic mode.

[Roof-Daddy]

The 1st being involved in that trade is sickening.

With amount of money the Flames are taking on there is no way they should have pay a 1st round pick in that proposal.

In fact, the 1st should be dropped AND the Yotes should retain a million to a million and a half on OEL IMO.

[blender]

Flash is obviously trolling with that proposal.

[MrMike]

Clearly he is just raising the cost for Edmonton to overpay for a D man.

This might be the most interesting off-season we've ever seen.

[MrMike]

Originally Posted by blender

Flash is obviously trolling with that proposal.

Honestly he's been closer to realistic than most people in this thread. Unless you have a proposal so compare to his?

I honestly wouldn't be shocked if OEL was moved for a high draft pick or a cap dump at this point.

We are all into unknown millionaire owner territory or how the market is for salary.

[djsFlames]

Believe me, I'd love to sell for a ludicrous amount of picks and dress an ELC team with a couple albatrosses to get us to the floor.

At least then the owners wouldn't feel the need to cheap out on the head coach.

(But alas, this is the reality we live in)

[3rd Degree]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

I think this is a bad trade.

As for salary retention on OEL, 2 million dollar retention works out to 14 million dollars over the life of the deal.

Not even the Rangers and the Leafs with all their billions would do that. Maybe for 10 first round picks.

Thanked for Collin Robinson!

[868904]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

lol, Treliving LOVES defensmen. If OEL is on the block you can bet he is going to be trying to acquire him.

Add in the fact that you know the Flames want Hall, and also the runors that they are sniffing around Keumper too, if a trade goes down with Arizona this off season it's probably going to be a pretty big trade with lots of moving parts.

If he loves them so much, trade for a top 10 pick and draft Drysdale or Sanderson. Those guys are a lot closer to Heiskenan, Makar and Hughes than OEL.

[Calgary4LIfe]

I personally really like OEL.



I don't think he is as bad defensively as his recent reputation - every defencemen has embarrassing gaffes at times. I actually quite like his 2-way play, and he is noticeable. Plus, he has that snarl to his game - he is physical and he chirps quite a lot it seems and gets under the skin of the opposing players at times. He is definitely noticeable out there.


However, he seems to be regressing. He seems to be regressing AND his contract is 7 years @ 8.25 million. He SHOULD be at his absolute prime right now. Was it injury? Is it the system?



As I stated before, a change of scenery might really do him wonders and get him back on top of his game. However, he just really may be regressing due to nagging injuries or other issues, and he just continues to slowly regress over the duration of his deal. Even worse - just as likely that a change of scenery can actually be worse for him than beneficial. Playing in a 'hockey market' is something he is not used to. How will he mentally deal with that pressure? People will talk about his contract and him being the highest paid player on the team (plus the assets used to acquire him, whatever those may be). Maybe that starts getting to him after years of toiling in an organization where you can live with relative anonymity and nobody is putting you under the microscope.


I just see that the Flames overall are really set on the left side - both forwards and defence - for the foreseeable future. It isn't a hole that needs to be filled. Whatever assets that would be moved for OEL would probably be better spent elsewhere to patch some holes on the roster - Right Defence, Goalie, etc.


I guess if it goes down, we may not hate it depending on what moves in that direction and what else comes from Arizona. Like I said, there is lots to like about OEL, but I also think his contract with his recent play is a huge risk.


You can say the same about Gaudreau, but if the Flames trade him and he ends up stinking it up on the new team, it is less dollars and only a 2 year mistake, not a 7 year mistake. 7 year mistakes are really difficult to fix. 2 year mistakes are much easier to move, buyout or just wait out. Those two players and contracts are incomparable.


Hopefully it doesn't happen... but it will be interesting to see what moves both ways if it does.

[Huntingwhale]

I would much rather find a way to keep Brodie who IMO is a better overall player, will likely have less of a cap hit even when he signs as a UFA, and is only slightly older. He also brings out the best in a declining Gio, is familiar with the system, and is a great teammate.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

It only makes sense for the Flames to acquire OEL if Giordano is moving out. That way you can have OEL/Hanifin/Valimaki. If Valimaki plays good enough to be a top 4 defender, then it would make sense to make Hanifin expendable.

It makes more sense to roll with Hanifin still. However, OEL does have top pairing experience. If we truly are going for OEL then I think it means management doesn't believe Hanifin has what it takes to be Cagary's top pairing LD.

I agree that Gio is the asset that has to go if you are bringing in a highly paid defender. He's only got two more seasons left and is no longer a piece to build around.

[TheScorpion]

I look forward to the Flames acquiring OEL and having him pose with Giordano and Hanifin on the cover of the Hockey News with the headline "the best defense in hockey." And then all three of them will be gone within three years.