Friedman: Flames have begun extension talks with Gaudreau & Eichel speculation

[Hackey]

Originally Posted by blender

Quite possibly. Which better roster players are rumored to be on the block for Eichel?

No one knows the answer to that. Not even NHL GMs know the answer to that. But realistically any team that has interest in Eichel is likely willing to part ways with various players. He's an upgrade on the majority of players in the league so there should be plenty of options available.

From a Flames fan perspective I'd absolutely love to see us land Eichel for Monahan+ but looking at it from Buffalo's perspective that is a horrible deal.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by blender

Quite possibly. Which better roster players are rumored to be on the block for Eichel?

Marner might be available because of cap issues. Zibanejad could also be available. If I were interested in going all in on a player, Sebatian Aho would be my pick at the moment, with Rantanen being a close second. I doubt Toronto would be inclined to move him, but Nylander would be a nice get as well. These are three guys I doubt are available, but if you dangled the right bait, who knows? I would focus on Aho (best player) and then Zibanejad (most available).

[Moneyhands23]

At this point I think I am more concerned about Johnny being unsigned. I can just see the team screwing this up with Brad trying to play 4-D Chess. If he ends up a free agent at the end of the season it would be typical flames

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by Lanny_McDonald

Marner might be available because of cap issues. Zibanejad could also be available. If I were interested in going all in on a player, Sebatian Aho would be my pick at the moment, with Rantanen being a close second. I doubt Toronto would be inclined to move him, but Nylander would be a nice get as well. These are three guys I doubt are available, but if you dangled the right bait, who knows? I would focus on Aho (best player) and then Zibanejad (most available).

Zibanejad would be most available, especially if we worked on a three way deal where the Rangers are paying the most for Eichel. I wouldn’t mind it if we traded Monahan + something else for Zibanejad. Wouldn’t break the bank, and the Rangers could roll with their top 3 centers as Eichel/Monahan/Strome, or move Strome to the wing with Monahan and Panarin on a line.

If we cannot re-sign Zibanejad there is always Couturier or worst-case-scenario Kadri if we cannot find another top 6 center to sign as a UFA in 2022.

[heep223]

Originally Posted by Moneyhands23

At this point I think I am more concerned about Johnny being unsigned. I can just see the team screwing this up with Brad trying to play 4-D Chess. If he ends up a free agent at the end of the season it would be typical flames

I think this would go down as the greatest management failure in the history of the team. Not going to happen.

[1qqaaz]

Originally Posted by Moneyhands23

At this point I think I am more concerned about Johnny being unsigned. I can just see the team screwing this up with Brad trying to play 4-D Chess. If he ends up a free agent at the end of the season it would be typical flames

I agree about this being a concern, but when is the last time the Flames let an elite forward go to free agency? Michael Cammalleri comes to mind, but he couldn't even fetch a 2nd round pick as a rental.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by Moneyhands23

At this point I think I am more concerned about Johnny being unsigned. I can just see the team screwing this up with Brad trying to play 4-D Chess. If he ends up a free agent at the end of the season it would be typical flames

I'm beginning to agree with this. I figured we would see something a couple days after the UFA period, but the longer this drags out the worse it gets. Treliving should have had this dealt with while the playoffs were going on and had a plan to move Johnny at the draft if a deal was not signed by then. He's handcuffed himself with the five team list. So he better have a deal in place or this is pretty gross incompetence on his part. If there is one in place, then what's the hold up.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Lanny_McDonald

I'm beginning to agree with this. I figured we would see something a couple days after the UFA period, but the longer this drags out the worse it gets. Treliving should have had this dealt with while the playoffs were going on and had a plan to move Johnny at the draft if a deal was not signed by then. He's handcuffed himself with the five team list. So he better have a deal in place or this is pretty gross incompetence on his part. If there is one in place, then what's the hold up.

It’s possible there are several deals in place with Gaudreau already - different options for term x dollars - but they depend on other moving parts, like an Eichel deal.

[Rollin22x]

Originally Posted by Lanny_McDonald

I'm beginning to agree with this. I figured we would see something a couple days after the UFA period, but the longer this drags out the worse it gets. Treliving should have had this dealt with while the playoffs were going on and had a plan to move Johnny at the draft if a deal was not signed by then. He's handcuffed himself with the five team list. So he better have a deal in place or this is pretty gross incompetence on his part. If there is one in place, then what's the hold up.

It’s not all on Treliving. Johnny doesn’t have to entertain any offers if he chooses not to.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Rollin22x

It’s not all on Treliving. Johnny doesn’t have to entertain any offers if he chooses not to.

No, but he could have been dealt before the LNTC kicked in. I take the fact he wasn’t as a sign that they are confident about extending. Hopefully JG hasn’t been stringing Treliving along, which I doubt.

[The Original FFIV]

Listened to interview with John Vogl who covers sabres for the athletic on Sportsnet 650. Apparently Kevyn Adams is off this week so no deal imminent. Sabres appear to be dug in and not negotiating. This is our price, meet it otherwise no deal. At what point do teams start moving on to their plan Bs? Sure, make a deal for Eichel but the longer it goes, the longer surgery is delayed and you end up getting Eichel for 60 or fewer games this season, which could cripple a teams playoff chances. That point has to be fast approaching, no?

[The Original FFIV]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

Zibanejad would be most available, especially if we worked on a three way deal where the Rangers are paying the most for Eichel. I wouldn’t mind it if we traded Monahan + something else for Zibanejad. Wouldn’t break the bank, and the Rangers could roll with their top 3 centers as Eichel/Monahan/Strome, or move Strome to the wing with Monahan and Panarin on a line.

If we cannot re-sign Zibanejad there is always Couturier or worst-case-scenario Kadri if we cannot find another top 6 center to sign as a UFA in 2022.

Zibanejad has nmc. So probably player least available and unlikely to waive it to come to small market Canadian team.

[BarDown]

Originally Posted by Rollin22x

It’s not all on Treliving. Johnny doesn’t have to entertain any offers if he chooses not to.

For sure. Although, it would then be on Treliving to maximize the value of one of his best assets through trade, and the window to do that has likely now passed with Gaudreau's NTC snapping into place.

I'm of the view that the general parameters of a Gaudreau extension are likely agreed to in principle but can't be announced until there is clarity on Eichel. However, if Tre ends up losing out on Eichel, and Gaudreau isn't extended and ends up being traded at a discount due to the Flames lack of leverage... yikes.

I just have to believe that Tre wouldn't take that risk with Gaudreau's extension. Gaudreau is too important an asset to get wrong.

[Monahammer]

Originally Posted by Lanny_McDonald

Marner might be available because of cap issues. Zibanejad could also be available. If I were interested in going all in on a player, Sebatian Aho would be my pick at the moment, with Rantanen being a close second. I doubt Toronto would be inclined to move him, but Nylander would be a nice get as well. These are three guys I doubt are available, but if you dangled the right bait, who knows? I would focus on Aho (best player) and then Zibanejad (most available).

Out to lunch on Aho and Ratanen. Neither has any chance at all of being traded, and there is nothing on our roster that would change that. They are both on new contracts for long terms and seemingly fit like gloves on their current rosters.

The stars have to align for the trading of a player of this caliber. Nylander is fine but doesnt measure up to the other things you mentioned. Marner is a hometown boy in Toronto and I personally feel they aren't ready to give up on him yet (I wouldnt be...) Zibanejad is maybe realistic, but only if the Rangers are getting Eichel, which doesn't seem likely to happen because Pegula wants him out of division.

SO, all that said. You seem to be misunderstanding why everyone is willing to move so desperately to get Eichel. It's precisely because players of this caliber (even injured ones with a 50/50 chance of returning to form) don't become available outside the draft often, if at all, before they're past their prime. And because team leadership (as you yourself have identified many times) refuse to rebuild and try for high draft picks, we are left with this single, REAL, chance to land a transformative talent.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

It’s possible there are several deals in place with Gaudreau already - different options for term x dollars - but they depend on other moving parts, like an Eichel deal.

That is my position as well, but I think we should start to get concerned as we get closer to September 1st. This needs resolution before camps open up or its going to be a massive distraction. I hope Treliving has a drop dead date for all these things so the team can focus and start the season in a positive way.

[Bonded]

Does Gaudreau get much more before the expansion draft than at the deadline? I am guessing it would be about the same if he has a specific destination in mind.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by The Original FFIV

Zibanejad has nmc. So probably player least available and unlikely to waive it to come to small market Canadian team.

Ugh, I hate NMCs.

Maybe he would if we offered the money he’s asking for but a little less. A little risky considering his age. I do think he and Gaudreau would be magic though.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by Bonded

Does Gaudreau get much more before the expansion draft than at the deadline? I am guessing it would be about the same if he has a specific destination in mind.

Before expansion he did not have trade protection but he does now.

Flames would be ridiculously stupid to not have Johnny signed playing out his last season here where he could walk in the summer. If the Flames are in the playoffs they are not trading Johnny at the deadline so they are committed to signing him in my opinion.

FWIW the way I heard Steinberg talk about Johnny it really seems like he believes an extension is imminent

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by Bonded

Does Gaudreau get much more before the expansion draft than at the deadline? I am guessing it would be about the same if he has a specific destination in mind.

I'd wager he would have been worth more pre July 28th. Now we will never know because his NTC sets an extremely limited market to drive value in return.

Which also depends on the 5 teams he lists. Because if 8ts 5 teams he play for and re-sign with, they could potentially be in a bidding war for him.

For example, Johnny lists, NJ, PHI, NYR, BOS and PITT. They're all teams who have kicked around on Johnny previously so they know there's interest.

If he lists 1 teamnhed go to and 4 other teams they'd never deal him.to (EDM, VAN, WPG etc.) Then it's get really dicey on value.

[Bonded]

Yeah, I didn't really think of him going the way of Brodie as they would trade him regardless of playoff status next deadline but that won't be the case. The NTC definitely limits options but even with pre July 28th, I figured he'd get a late first some meh prospects from a contender and that can still be done at the deadline.