2020/2021 Trade Speculation and Rumours

[Poe969]

Another year to guage what this team is??? Are you for real? That excuse can only be used so many times. Let's see how they are with a new coach, then another new coach, then a new goalie and then maybe one more chance with a new coach!

This team is what it is and the bad thing is that they're not getting better with age, it doesn't matter who the coach is.

I wouldn't give a second and Gio for them to take Backlund, we need those assets. I would offer them something though. Getting 12 million off the books would be huge though and should be explored.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by Heavy Jack

You know what I mean by getting it done; this leadership group just hasn’t and Backlunds late season surges are nice but are much nicer when we manage to get into the playoffs. Any trade of Backlund would involve us taking back a bad contract in return which defeats the purpose I was proposing as I think the 12 mill in flexibility is an advantage for this team to reset the core. Gio is replaced via the free agency pool and graduation of some of our youth; Oleksiak would be ideal, 6’7 LHD who plays with snarl and can manage 2nd pairing duties. Backlund is replaced by Getzlaf in my proposal as well and really that’s what I’m getting at, freeing up that much space would allow for replacements via the UFA pool which I get is risky given Tree’s track record there but there are some good options this year.

I don’t agree with your take on this situation at all but losing Gio so this team can overpay Oleksiak is a horrible mistake.

Backlund is not a bad contract (yet) so why do the Flames have to take back a bad deal in the first place? You also suggest replacing him with a 35+ player? Backlund is one of our only speedy forwards who plays all situations so not sure why adding an aging vet makes the team better?

I think the proposed solutions make the team worse on paper and cost them futures. I only see Backlund being exposed to be an option for Seattle that would allow Gio to go unclaimed.

I get the whole play is to get cap space but it truly screws the team so much more especially when the solutions are in the Free Agent market where this team has had limited success and significant failure.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by Heavy Jack

You know what I mean by getting it done; this leadership group just hasn’t and Backlunds late season surges are nice but are much nicer when we manage to get into the playoffs. Any trade of Backlund would involve us taking back a bad contract in return which defeats the purpose I was proposing as I think the 12 mill in flexibility is an advantage for this team to reset the core. Gio is replaced via the free agency pool and graduation of some of our youth; Oleksiak would be ideal, 6’7 LHD who plays with snarl and can manage 2nd pairing duties. Backlund is replaced by Getzlaf in my proposal as well and really that’s what I’m getting at, freeing up that much space would allow for replacements via the UFA pool which I get is risky given Tree’s track record there but there are some good options this year.

Backlund has outproduced Getzlaf in the last 2 years- including badly this past season. I don't understand how this makes the team better.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

Backlund has outproduced Getzlaf in the last 2 years- including badly this past season. I don't understand how this makes the team better.

I think Getz is just going through the motions at this stage, he just wants to ride off into the sunset in Anaheim when his contract is done. He has his cups. I would rather keep Backlund.

[bluejays]

I have been a fan of Oleksiak for a couple years now but really looking at the Colorado team, where does a guy like him fit on the Avs? Maybe fifth? If he’s on the flames will he shut down McDavid or Mackinnon’s speed? I personally don’t think so. So why pay a premium for him in free agency if he can’t keep up with the big boys, won’t fit the identity if they go with speed, and he may be a cap burden in the future. I’d have to pass on any free agent this off-season.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

I think Getz is just going through the motions at this stage, he just wants to ride off into the sunset in Anaheim when his contract is done. He has his cups. I would rather keep Backlund.

Yup.
I can see adding Getz in a role similar to Spezza or Thornton in Toronto - but that's about it, and would have to be at the right price.

[Calgary4LIfe]

Getting rid of Backlund (and paying to get rid of Giordano!) is what I call 'throwing out the baby with the bathwater".


Yes, this team needs change. By all accounts, Giordano is a terrific captain. Who this decade has given more of a consistent effort game-in and game-out than him?


Backlund has taken the toughest assignments, has a revolving cast of wingers that always perform well next to him, and does nothing but produce consistently - all without complaining. He does whatever this team asks of him, and he does it without complaining. Didn't even complain when Ward decided to make him a winger. Doesn't complain when he gets saddled with wingers that have no offensive ability. Just doesn't complain, ever.


I get that people want change, and that's ok. I hope Treliving is able to get value for Giordano, as otherwise I am sure that Seattle will take him, and I feel that defence as a whole is going to be a big issue next season (barring any other moves), especially in terms of scoring. Add Backlund to that list (the team's best defensive forward) without replacing/upgrade him, and I would say the issues get bigger on this team.


I am not sure how to fix this team. I know opening up 12 million in cap space for the cost of a pick, sounds good in theory. Who the heck are you going to replace these guys with, however? Who is going to come in and better Backlund off the UFA heap? Treliving is going to be scratching his head trying to improve on D from this past season, nevermind trying to replace Giordano without giving up more futures.



This team doesn't attract top talent in the UFA market unless this team is looking like a bona fide contender. You can free up all the cap space in the world if you want, but you are just going to compound the issues by having to heavily overpay for any talent (especially 'core player' level talent), and in a few seasons, probably deeply regretful of the overspend.

[SeanCharles]

I wouldn’t be against trading Backlund in an effort to acquire a top 6 RWer (assuming Monahan’s value is too low to trade right now) but giving away Backlund, Gio and a 2nd is pure madness.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Imo, if you cannot get Eichel, then move 1 of Backlund or Monahan for a guy with 1 year left on his deal. Then, throw money at Zibanejad or Couturier in 2022. That is of course assuming they test UFA waters.

[gvitaly]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

Getting rid of Backlund (and paying to get rid of Giordano!) is what I call 'throwing out the baby with the bathwater".


Yes, this team needs change. By all accounts, Giordano is a terrific captain. Who this decade has given more of a consistent effort game-in and game-out than him?


Backlund has taken the toughest assignments, has a revolving cast of wingers that always perform well next to him, and does nothing but produce consistently - all without complaining. He does whatever this team asks of him, and he does it without complaining. Didn't even complain when Ward decided to make him a winger. Doesn't complain when he gets saddled with wingers that have no offensive ability. Just doesn't complain, ever.


I get that people want change, and that's ok. I hope Treliving is able to get value for Giordano, as otherwise I am sure that Seattle will take him, and I feel that defence as a whole is going to be a big issue next season (barring any other moves), especially in terms of scoring. Add Backlund to that list (the team's best defensive forward) without replacing/upgrade him, and I would say the issues get bigger on this team.


I am not sure how to fix this team. I know opening up 12 million in cap space for the cost of a pick, sounds good in theory. Who the heck are you going to replace these guys with, however? Who is going to come in and better Backlund off the UFA heap? Treliving is going to be scratching his head trying to improve on D from this past season, nevermind trying to replace Giordano without giving up more futures.



This team doesn't attract top talent in the UFA market unless this team is looking like a bona fide contender. You can free up all the cap space in the world if you want, but you are just going to compound the issues by having to heavily overpay for any talent (especially 'core player' level talent), and in a few seasons, probably deeply regretful of the overspend.

I agree with you that simply getting rid of Gio and Backs is an over reaction. That said I'm not sure about the not complaining part. I remember a narrative on the morning show on the fan about Backlund's play suffering in the beginning of the season because he was pouting about being the team's 3rd line center. I have no idea if it's true or not. That said, you don't know either if he was complaining or not.



I agree with you that cap space is only an asset if you put it to good use. I don't know what opportunities there might be for the Flames, but trades like the Hamilton trade to Calgary, or the Miller and Schmidt trades to the Canucks are a good way to leverage cap space. If you are going to run and use all the cap space in free agency then yes it likely wouldn't yield an improvement.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by SeanCharles

I wouldn’t be against trading Backlund in an effort to acquire a top 6 RWer (assuming Monahan’s value is too low to trade right now) but giving away Backlund, Gio and a 2nd is pure madness.

It is, and even if you agree with the premise you need that space, and those guys are the ones to lose, why pay to do it? And you better have something really great planned for that $12M.

Anyway, Backlund produces in 41st place among centres, and is 48th in cap hit. Not bad. Gio is 20th in cap hit among all D, and only in the mid 30s in points. But not all contracts are equal - there’s obviously guys on ELCs producing at a high level like Fox, Makar, Hughes and Heiskenan, and guys who signed RFA deals who have now blossomed. But compared to other defencemen who signed as UFAs, so comparing apples to apples on bargaining position, he’s 14th in points and 15th in cap hit. And I’d sure rather have Gio’s contract than, say, Karlsson, Burns, OEL, Spurgeon, McDonough, etc.

[Heavy Jack]

All good discussion here; I know my shot at the off-season has a ton of flaws but I can’t shake the thought of getting some tough contracts off the books without adding bad salary back being a benefit to this club. I agree as well that free agency would be a scary route to go with the found flexibility but you don’t always have opportunities like this year presents with the Seattle expansion.

At the end of the day we have 1 playoff round win and 4 showings in a decade under the Backlund/Gio captaincy era and I love both these players I think they have been some our best pros we’ve had and they have been so great in the community but this core needs to try and make something happen before it’s too late and trading either of Gio or Backlund in hockey trades arguably gets you the same types of players back - aging vets on bigger contracts - which doesn’t turn the needle enough on this core.

[Heavy Jack]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

Backlund has outproduced Getzlaf in the last 2 years- including badly this past season. I don't understand how this makes the team better.

If you can sign Getzlaf to a short term value based deal and put him in a winning environment again I could see him succeeding. Backlund at his price tag will become a more and more overpaid 3rd line Center as time marches on here, how long before his numbers start to dive off a cliff??

[gvitaly]

Originally Posted by Heavy Jack

If you can sign Getzlaf to a short term value based deal and put him in a winning environment again I could see him succeeding. Backlund at his price tag will become a more and more overpaid 3rd line Center as time marches on here, how long before his numbers start to dive off a cliff??

I have a really hard time seeing Getzlaf play anywhere but Anaheim. I think it's playing for the ducks or retirement. If he will by some miracle decide to move somewhere, I doubt it would be Calgary. Also, Getzlaf is not the same Getzlaf that used to dominate the Flames. I am not even sure if he's worth it as a 3rd line center at this point.

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by Heavy Jack

If you can sign Getzlaf to a short term value based deal and put him in a winning environment again I could see him succeeding. Backlund at his price tag will become a more and more overpaid 3rd line Center as time marches on here, how long before his numbers start to dive off a cliff??

I am trying to think of one reason why Getzlaf would want to leave Anaheim to come to Calgary.

The fact he played junior hockey here isn’t particularly compelling.

It’s certainly not to chase a cup.

I am at a loss.

Plus, I think Backlund is criminally underrated around here. Same for Gio. Using their cap space (assuming you could move it easily) to get better won’t be easy, as the players you could likely bring in will likely just be worse.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Monahammer]

Originally Posted by Doc Hudson

All this trade everything for another terrible lineup doesn't make any sense to me. This year coming will be a great time to really gauge the team going forward, and if the team continues to play inconsistent hockey, then it is a deadline trades of some key pieces (JG, etc.) and commitment to a rebuild. Just swapping for a bunch of garbage for sake of change is not a good strategy.

I look at the lineup above and wonder how it is improvement over the terrible Buffalo team that Eichel was on????? Why would you expect this to work out well?

Oh right, emotional reaction to a terrible year, understood.

I agree with this take partially. Conversely, waiting until tdl might be too late to help increase chances at wright in the 22 draft.

id rather they pick a direction and get on with it. we know what we have here- not a winner. 3/4 of a season again wont change that.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by The Cobra

I am trying to think of one reason why Getzlaf would want to leave Anaheim to come to Calgary.

The fact he played junior hockey here isn’t particularly compelling.

It’s certainly not to chase a cup.

I am at a loss.

Plus, I think Backlund is criminally underrated around here. Same for Gio. Using their cap space (assuming you could move it easily) to get better won’t be easy, as the players you could likely bring in will likely just be worse.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Getzlaf refused to waive to go to Pittsburgh and Vegas this TDL. And the expectation is he’s going to do 1 year contracts with the Ducks from now on.

[Heavy Jack]

We all thought the same thing with Jeff Carter but he found himself in Pittsburgh and doing quite well, I think they were poised for a good run if Jarry doesn’t blow it in OT in that series and Carter put up 4 goals in 6.

I agree it’s hard to imagine him anywhere other than Anaheim but I have seen crazier things happen than a Ryan Getzlaf signing into Calgary for a 1 to 2 year shot with a coach like Sutter and good young pieces in place.

The key is the UFA market and risks associated which I get but Getzlaf being picked apart in my proposal is surprisingly one of the smaller details of the overall shakeup. I still think he has solid hockey left too in a role that suits him and the Flames could provide that, him on a line with Lucic and Dube is intriguing, lots of puck possession ability in Getz and Lucic and Dube is the stick of dynamite on the line that can dig in the corners.

The flames need to readjust where there dollars are here with guys like Gaudreau, Tkachuk and Mangiapane needing more term and considerable dollars in the very near future. Getting cheaper versions of Giordano and Backlund who have that veteran presence at a cheaper cap hit is ideal.

Don’t sign Oleksiak but sign Martinez instead to replace Gio + Backs with Martinez + Getzlaf??

I just think status quo gets us more of the same year after year.

[MrMike]

Alright who’s interested in Marner because I have a feeling he’ll be the Leaf available.

[Moneyhands23]

Originally Posted by MrMike

Alright who’s interested in Marner because I have a feeling he’ll be the Leaf available.

No goals in 17 straight playoff games. Scared of contact/physical play.

No ####ing me that's for sure!