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

[The Original FFIV]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

I am ok with our team as is going into the season if that is what ends up happening. Obviously I would love an Eichel or a Tarasenko to help put pucks in the net and we could use another top 4 D but I think a full training camp and season under Sutter will show this team was much better than they showed last year.

With the cap space and having our first rounder not traded away (yet), I can’t see moves not being made. As you say, Eichel/Tarasenko situations need resolution. Arizona is collecting high picks like they are going out of style. Sutter was brought in to win now and Treliving will feel the pressure to obtain pieces to make that happen.

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

I think the fact the flames lost both guys for nothing is not the worst part and it is in fact irrelevant.

Brodie was not some phenomenal asset that was returning a 1st or top prospect at the deadline. I also think he could have been retained by the team if they matched or slightly increased the offer the Leafs gave Brodie but instead they swapped 1 30 year old Dman for another and in terms of overall value to the team they upgraded to Tanev for less money.

I know the Flames got off to a rough start in the Brodie co tract year but were a top 10 team in the league under Peters and were trending in the right direction for the playoffs. I don’t get how the team was supposed to just throw in the towel when they were trending in the right direction?

Gio loss is tough but better they lose him for nothing than pay for him to stay. The Flames likely thought there was a path to retaining Gio but when Francis wouldn’t budge on his price they made the right call.


When it comes to Johnny they simply can’t roll the dice. I really hope this isn’t a distraction or story all year and they get him signed before camp.if Johnny walks for nothing then I just don’t see how Treliving can remain in his role. This team is aiming to compete so Johnny won’t be deadline bait so they better sign him. Walking him to the deadline like the Avs did with Landeskog is not going to end well for the Flames so I hope they get it done ASAP

I have seen this contention and view it differently

Tanev was the upgrade for Hamonic. Similar role and style but Tanev is way better. A tremendous win. Hooray.

Andersson was supposed to fill in Brodie’s slot. He was not ready and the Gio-Andersson pairing struggled

That’s how the lineup went until it got painful enough that it had to be changed.

The team sure as heck wasn’t upgraded overall on the back end. Upgrading Hamonic to Tanev and downgrading Brodie (the guy that Gio trusts so can play his game and win the Norris) to Andersson was not a net gain

[dammage79]

Ye old Eklund is reporting Johnny is on the move. A mutual decision he says..

Which means Johnny signing a new contract is just around the corner lol.

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by dammage79

Ye old Eklund is reporting Johnny is on the move. A mutual decision he says..

Which means Johnny signing a new contract is just around the corner lol.

There are seemingly a good number of rumours surrounding the Flames. It'll be interesting to see what plays out over the next 6 weeks leading into training camp.

[dammage79]

He has the teams listed as interested:
Isles
Kings
Canadiens
Wild

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by dammage79

Ye old Eklund is reporting Johnny is on the move. A mutual decision he says..

Which means Johnny signing a new contract is just around the corner lol.

Another handful of poop at the wall eh.

[Toonage]

Gaudreau for Anderson. Has to happen now to make sense. Right now. Like, this minute.
Took too long to type that. It no longer makes sense.

[AC]

Meanwhile Steinberg has repeatedly talked on air about believing there to be an extension all but guaranteed.

The confidence in which he says it really makes me believe he has enough inside information to talk about it as a forgone conclusion.

[Toonage]

Yeah Gaudreau isn't going anywhere.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

I am sure the main part of the contract has been agreed upon. They are probably working out clauses and bonuses.

Or stuff like 7 versus 8 years with more or less annual salary, different structures like front end - making it buyout resistant etc.

Some of it may hinge on other moving parts like an Eichel deal, etc.

[Vinny01]

Ya that Eklund piece is pure trash. Laughable list of 5 teams and I highly doubt this is a mutual decision.

I don’t think Coleman comes to Calgary without Johnny saying he was planning on staying. Johnny is one of the only guys Coleman personally knew before signing here.

I agree with Damage this is likely a good sign an extension is coming shortly.

[metroneck]

Originally Posted by dammage79

Ye old Eklund is reporting Johnny is on the move. A mutual decision he says..

Which means Johnny signing a new contract is just around the corner lol.

I think he means moving to a bigger house.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by DeluxeMoustache

I have seen this contention and view it differently

Tanev was the upgrade for Hamonic. Similar role and style but Tanev is way better. A tremendous win. Hooray.

Andersson was supposed to fill in Brodie’s slot. He was not ready and the Gio-Andersson pairing struggled

That’s how the lineup went until it got painful enough that it had to be changed.

The team sure as heck wasn’t upgraded overall on the back end. Upgrading Hamonic to Tanev and downgrading Brodie (the guy that Gio trusts so can play his game and win the Norris) to Andersson was not a net gain

I agree with you on how everything was supposed to slot. Andersson was moving to the top pair, Tanev was taking the Hamonic role and Valimaki was coming in to be the #5 who was to push for top 4 like Andersson was the previous year.

It was reported the Flames shifted to Tanev once Brodie agreed to go to Toronto so I think it is safe to assume Tanev was signed using the money that was originally allocated to re-sign Brodie. I also think due to the fact Tanev proved to be an unbelievable signing in year 1 helps justify that cap spend over keeping Brodie.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

I agree with you on how everything was supposed to slot. Andersson was moving to the top pair, Tanev was taking the Hamonic role and Valimaki was coming in to be the #5 who was to push for top 4 like Andersson was the previous year.

It was reported the Flames shifted to Tanev once Brodie agreed to go to Toronto so I think it is safe to assume Tanev was signed using the money that was originally allocated to re-sign Brodie. I also think due to the fact Tanev proved to be an unbelievable signing in year 1 helps justify that cap spend over keeping Brodie.

I think Andersson and Valimaki are two of the biggest issues for where this team goes in the next season or two.

Clearly Monahan's recovery, a potential Eichel trade, and Johnny's contract are big issues that get the headlines.

But can Andersson look more like the 19-20 Andersson? And can Valimaki find that consistency in his game that he showed in that Colorado playoff series before he got hurt? Or are they both more 4/5 guys than 2/3?

They get back on track and that blueline looks a lot stronger, and does more to fill the Giordano gap.

[dammage79]

I always anticipated an up and down year for Valimaki last year. An entire year off hockey, rehab from a surgery that severely restricted staying in shape or adding more muscle like he would have done.

This year is the tell tale for him. I for one fully expect him barring injury to take a couple of steps.

Last year was always going to be a write off for him IMO.

[GhostCookie]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

Ya that Eklund piece is pure trash. Laughable list of 5 teams and I highly doubt this is a mutual decision.

I don’t think Coleman comes to Calgary without Johnny saying he was planning on staying. Johnny is one of the only guys Coleman personally knew before signing here.

I agree with Damage this is likely a good sign an extension is coming shortly.

Not only that, but who are those teams trading to us, that the Flames feel give them a better chance to win? We're not a charity.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by Bingo

I think Andersson and Valimaki are two of the biggest issues for where this team goes in the next season or two.

Clearly Monahan's recovery, a potential Eichel trade, and Johnny's contract are big issues that get the headlines.

But can Andersson look more like the 19-20 Andersson? And can Valimaki find that consistency in his game that he showed in that Colorado playoff series before he got hurt? Or are they both more 4/5 guys than 2/3?

They get back on track and that blueline looks a lot stronger, and does more to fill the Giordano gap.

I would even lump Hanifin in that mix. Can he truly become a number 1 Dman. He showed great progression last year and by all accounts is the top pair left Dman to start next year. Does he have another level or two he can reach? Will he find the offense? Can he play 25+ minutes a night? I think he is so crucial to this retool but fully agree with the comments on Vali and Andy

[Rick M.]

Originally Posted by Toonage

I don't think the Flames make a big play on LD for now. I think they stay with what they have (Hanifin, Zadorov, Valimaki, Mackey) and look to add a vet on RD.

Kinnvall is a right shot. Perhaps the Flames believe he is ready to step in.

[the-rasta-masta]

Originally Posted by dammage79

I always anticipated an up and down year for Valimaki last year. An entire year off hockey, rehab from a surgery that severely restricted staying in shape or adding more muscle like he would have done.

This year is the tell tale for him. I for one fully expect him barring injury to take a couple of steps.

Last year was always going to be a write off for him IMO.

You've got to hope losing that whole year didn't damage his trajectory. Not only did he have an up and down year, but I'd say when he was down he was pretty awful. I think he may have played some seasoning time the AHL last year if it wasn't for the whole COVID mess. Perhaps expectations were just really high after he tore up the league in Finland too...

That's the problem with the Flames roster right now though. In order to have a successful season, there a lot of questions in how players are going to bounce back. Having Valimaki show some consistency and take a step would be a huge help to this team.

[Toonage]

^^ Maybe? Having not played any N.A. hockey is a minus but he's not a kid (25 I think?). Interesting.