Who do you HOPE Seattle takes in the expansion draft.

[codynw]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

He certainly is not the reason we will.

Other than Pittsburgh, how many teams can say that about their 2C though?

[Azhouse]

If it’s trending towards Gio or Backlund in this part of the thread I’m keeping Backland every time.

[Yoho]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

Unless we are getting ROR, Couturier, Danault, Bergeron, Crosby in a trade then it doesn’t make sense to give up on one of the best 2-way centers in the game.

Lol just to get rid of that contract would be worth it never mind name dropping the best in the league.

[dying4acup]

Very disappointed in this thread.

First choice for selection is Lucic. That said, ideally he is selected, bought out, and re-signed at a lover cost. This isn’t going to happen.

In reality whether or not he had a good year last year, I hope all understand that Gio’s contract is fair, despite his down year. As Seattle, If I could select a former Norris winner with 1 yr term, I’d do it.

I have concerns about backlund’s deal, and I wouldn’t protect it, but I doubt Seattle bites. If Seattle takes Bennett or Kylington, I’m good with that.

[SeanCharles]

Originally Posted by dying4acup

Very disappointed in this thread.

First choice for selection is Lucic. That said, ideally he is selected, bought out, and re-signed at a lover cost. This isn’t going to happen.

In reality whether or not he had a good year last year, I hope all understand that Gio’s contract is fair, despite his down year. As Seattle, If I could select a former Norris winner with 1 yr term, I’d do it.

I have concerns about backlund’s deal, and I wouldn’t protect it, but I doubt Seattle bites. If Seattle takes Bennett or Kylington, I’m good with that.

Of course everyone would pick Lucic.

I actually applaud this thread for making rational and logical suggestions.

Lucic will be exposed and won’t be taken. We all know this, unless Lucic tricks us all and doesn’t waive.

We are trying to give our best answer to a tough situation and I don’t think it’s ridiculous to think exposing elder statesman is such a terrible idea...

Assuming youngsters like Bennett, Dube, Mangiapane, Hanifin, Andersson and Kylington continue to develop and actually prove to be key pieces moving forward.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by dying4acup

Very disappointed in this thread.

First choice for selection is Lucic. That said, ideally he is selected, bought out, and re-signed at a lover cost. This isn’t going to happen.

In reality whether or not he had a good year last year, I hope all understand that Gio’s contract is fair, despite his down year. As Seattle, If I could select a former Norris winner with 1 yr term, I’d do it.

I have concerns about backlund’s deal, and I wouldn’t protect it, but I doubt Seattle bites. If Seattle takes Bennett or Kylington, I’m good with that.

As I mentioned in the OP there is no way Lucic is taken unless the Flames out some premium futures on the table. Look at what Vegas was able to do to teams making them pay 1st round picks or top prospects like Tuch or Theodore.

I think considering the Flames will certainly be exposing a very good player they would have to pay a very steep price. There is the price to take Lucic and the price to not take Giordano or Backlund.

[BigErnSalute_16]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

People wanting to lose Giordano are nuts. He is absolutely worth a first at the deadline to a contender, if the Flames aren't one.

As for who they should want to lose, I suspect it will probably be Tanev with that contract, but I guess we'll have a whole year to find out.

Ya but I'm assuming, as I think most are, that the Flames will be well within a playoff spot come the deadline and won't be looking to trade their captain. So he will be around for the expansion draft and if they took a 37 year old on the last year of his contract it probably wouldn't hurt the team too much, especially with Valimaki, Andersson and hopefully Hanifin all taking a step forward.

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

As I mentioned in the OP there is no way Lucic is taken unless the Flames out some premium futures on the table. Look at what Vegas was able to do to teams making them pay 1st round picks or top prospects like Tuch or Theodore.

I think considering the Flames will certainly be exposing a very good player they would have to pay a very steep price. There is the price to take Lucic and the price to not take Giordano or Backlund.

Yeah, imagine a world where GMs were going to trade Backlund on his contract for Lucic and his contract. That's effectively the trade the Flames would be asking Seattle to make, so the price would be pretty high.

[Flamescuprun2018]

Essentially in comes down to protecting:

one more at Forward: Backlund or Bennett

Bennett is an RFA who may be a late bloomer.

Backlund is a depreciating asset with sizable contract. Lindholm could certainly replace him as a 2C if a 1RW emerges.

Unless Bennett has really down year and we don't want to pay at arbitration. Backlund is the easier asset to replace given the cap space gained.

one more on Defense: Giordano, Tanev or Kylington.

Unless Kylington progresses alot this year he remains a tweener with flaws in his defensive game and not enough upside offensively. Easy to leave available.

Tanev was signed as UFA without using assets and has too long a contract for most of us. So also easy to leave available.

Gio with only one year left on his contract is very likely protected as Captain since still only 2 years post Norris.

Kraken's selection amongst who is not protected can be replaced internally or as a UFA signing if it creates significant cap space in this tight cap world.

Well played BT overall. Not losing sleep over impact to Flames.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by Canada 02

It would be crazy to lose your captain and Norris winner for free. If Tre does not plan on protecting Gio, he should be traded at the deadline.
With or without salary retention, he is easily worth a 1st or more

Man, CP has the most bizarre takes on Gio. A) He is clearly heavily regressing and will likely continue to do so at his age, this was always coming and we accepted it with the signing. B) Because of this you absolutely leave him unprotected and C) There is a next to zero percent chance Seattle takes him. He will not be worth a first or more after another 3/4 season of hockey.

The idea of protecting Giordano next summer is certifiably insane. They won't protect him, he won't be taken, and he will retire a Flame. You do not waste a protection spot on that in a million years.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by Funkhouser

Gio is still a top pairing D, and is likely to remain a top 4 D for the next 3-4 years.
He will likely re-sign in a capacity that gives the Flames maximum cap flexibility.

The chances of Giordano playing at a top 4 defensive level in three to four years is asinine, him getting another contract isn't as asinine, but extremely unlikely. He signed this deal as a retirement contract. He knew it, the organization knew it, we knew, the media knew it.

[Funkhouser]

Originally Posted by jayswin

The chances of Giordano playing at a top 4 defensive level in three to four years is asinine, him getting another contract isn't as asinine, but extremely unlikely. He signed this deal as a retirement contract. He knew it, the organization knew it, we knew, the media knew it.

Chara is still a top 4 D at 43
Chelios was still a top 4 D in his early 40s
(exceptions to the rule, I know)

Gio won the Norris at age 36 (clearly another exception to the rule) and is consistently one of the fittest Flames.
I'm not suggesting he has more Norris trophy seasons in his future, but will he be a top 4 D for 3-4 years? I would wager yes.

More importantly, will he outperform Kylington over the next 3-4 years? Considering I am not even sure if there is a permanent place for Kylington on the roster, I would say yes.

Gio's decline will likely be slow, rather than a fall off a cliff IMO

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Chara is barely replacement level at 43, and he's one of maybe, what, ten guys who could even manage that feat well past age 40 on the blue line.

I think Gio could possibly play regular shifts in the NHL until he's 39 or 40, even power play time. That's not a crazy suggestion. But it's silly to expect him to maintain legitimate top 4 play that long, it's simply too rare. Once this contract ends, he'll either be retired or on a cheapish one year deal as he transitions into a depth role and hands the reins over to the next generation.

[Flamenspiel]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

He was our worst player in the Avalanche series and it was not close. That was the worst showing by him in his career. Backlund is not consistent enough to be that player that plays a key role in a championship win.

He just ran out of gas after the first game and half or so. He was not the first and certainly will not be the last player that failed against MacKinnon.

[Funkhouser]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

Chara is barely replacement level at 43, and he's one of maybe, what, ten guys who could even manage that feat well past age 40 on the blue line.

I think Gio could possibly play regular shifts in the NHL until he's 39 or 40, even power play time. That's not a crazy suggestion. But it's silly to expect him to maintain legitimate top 4 play that long, it's simply too rare. Once this contract ends, he'll either be retired or on a cheapish one year deal as he transitions into a depth role and hands the reins over to the next generation.

I agree he is on his decline. I agree he is likely to sign cheap one-year deals once he hits the end of his contract at 39. I agree he will transition to a depth role. We disagree on the speed in which this will happen.

He is a 37 yr old, top-pairing D now. You think it is silly to expect him to remain a top 4 D for two more years??

What signs have you seen that he is about to fall off a cliff??

I suspect that in two years he will be at worst a number 4, but could still be a 3.
Will Kylington ever reach that level??

(ps - I am a fan of Kylington, I just don't believe it is necessarily a mistake to protect Gio in order to protect Kyl/Tanev)

[Vinny01]

From a contract perspective I think the Flames get a lot more flexibility if Backlund and his 3 years at 5.3 is removed. Next offseason will be tight but the following offseason is rather critical with Gaudreau, Tkachuk, Giordano and Mangipane all needing new deals. Gio likely takes a significant pay cut. Mangipane likely doubles his salary and Tkachuk probably pushes for a $10M cap hit. Gaudreau will cost in the 9-10 range if he is interested in staying here for his career.

Flames do not keep all 4 players most likely but will have some big deals to work out that summer regardless.

[mrchristy31]

I can't believe the terrible takes on Backlund. He is on the decline? His contract is ugly?

Backlund is coming off the best hockey of his life, albeit the sample size is small, how is that on the decline? Sure, theres a chance he will start to decline come expansion draft time, but even that is a coin flip.

His contract is a bargain for what he brings to the table. Backlund right now, is the Flames best and most valuable center. Backlund is a top 10 shutdown center in the league, ask Keith Tkachuk how good Backlund is and how important he is to Tkachuks success (and most likely Breads).

People keep bringing up the idea of just shifting Lindholm to his position. It is a dream to think Lindholm will become a Backlund level player defensively, but if that is the case, I'm sure his offence is going to suffer.

If it's between Backlund, Bennet, Kylington............I am exponsing Kylington every day.

[Leeman4Gilmour]

Originally Posted by jayswin

The idea of protecting Giordano next summer is certifiably insane. They won't protect him, he won't be taken, and he will retire a Flame. You do not waste a protection spot on that in a million years.

I think leaving him exposed is certifiably insane.

• He's been the heart and soul of the Flames for years now
• His on-ice work ethic and off ice contributions to the community are renowned league wide and sets an example for all Flames players
• Even if his play regresses to bottom six level, you keep him for leadership and culture

Hockey is a business, yes, but not all aspects of business are cut-throat. Exposing Giordano would leave a bad taste in the mouths of most fans and, I'm certain, all the players. Seattle would absolutely take him if he's available. If not for his play, then for setting a standard for on and off ice performance and behaviour.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by mrchristy31

If it's between Backlund, Bennet, Kylington............I am exponsing Kylington every day.

Kylington has nothing to do with which forwards are exposed. Flames no doubt need to go 7-3-1 so Kylington is likely being exposed barring an absolute breakout year (which would result in both Gio and Tanev being exposed based on today’s roster unless Hanifin falls extremely far from grace)

Forwards right now that are a lock imo:
1. Tkachuk
2. Lindholm
3. Gaudreau
4. Monahan
5. Mangipane
6. Dube
7. Backlund or Bennett

Bennett would have to be your choice if you think Backlund is a steal of a contract that needs to be retained for his 32-35 year old seasons

[Gaskal]

Originally Posted by Leeman4Gilmour

Exposing Giordano would leave a bad taste in the mouths of most fans and, I'm certain, all the players. Seattle would absolutely take him if he's available. If not for his play, then for setting a standard for on and off ice performance and behaviour.

Are you willing to lose one of our young blue-chip dmen for free or give up significant assets to keep them? Probably would leave an even worse taste in your mouth.

Forget sentimentality, chuck it out the window, there's only 3 protection spots if we want to go 7-3-1 (and you bet your ass we will) and now we face losing one of Valimaki, Andersson or Hanifin (or if he gets traded, Kylington) for free if we don't use them wisely.

Looch obviously knows what's at stake, he's reportedly going to waive, I imagine Gio understands the situation as well.