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

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by FanIn80

Fair, but not every team has a Price/Allen duo. What happens if Vasilevskiy goes down? Is Tampa good enough to overcome Elliott? I mean, they probably are, so that might be a bad example... What about if Lehner goes down in Vegas? Actually I think Brossoit might be okay there too...

Well now I'm depressed.

There is nothing on Brossoit's resume that says he can handle extended #1 duties. Maybe he can, but many goalies crack under that pressure.

Most people would have thought that Rittich was ready for #1 duties, but the reality is that there are only a handful of goalies that can. We are fortunate that we finally have one of them - trying to turn that into a negative for the team is really scraping the barrel for negativity.

[FanIn80]

Originally Posted by bax

A Sutter team with Tkachuk, Gaudreau, Lindholm, Mangiapane, Tanev, Hanifin, etc won’t be a bottom feeder. Even if Markstrom sits out they entire year.

Look at some of the rosters around the league. There’s more than a handful of teams around the league still actively trying to lose.

As opposed to the Flames` style of passively trying to lose?

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

If that is the case...not quite sure what else is to be said other than Treliving has managed his way into a corner of mediocrity and failure. Just a rotten off-season (to date). No team accomplished less last season, yet lost more this off-season.

Interview is here

This offseason has pretty much been the worst case scenario for me as a fan of this team. I wanted big core shakeups after the loss in the bubble and was disappointed when it didn’t happen. I was however able to move past it pretty quickly as I thought the Markstrom move solidified the position Treliving has struggled to fill the most. Losing core pieces in Brodie and Hamonic were fine as Tanev was a great fit and Hamonic was a core piece only due to acquisition cost and not actual on ice play.

This season with a full on playoff miss it was even more apparent that huge changes were needed. Not spending to keep Gio was smart but also made the team worse next season. I look at Coleman as more of a Hudler/Frolik signing than I do Brouwer/Neal but adding him does not dramatically improve the situation up front.

Not having Johnny signed is another red flag for me this summer. That can change any moment if they announce a deal but the team is entering a must win season with a top player as a pending UFA. Feels like they are tempting fate the longer this goes and the easier it could be for Johnny to want to see what his options are.

With Johnny not signed it begs me to question why there hasn’t been a significant shake up to the other core guys that have been here since 2016 in Gaudreau, Monahan, Tkachuk, and Backlund. Treliving said changes need to be made and I think he meant more than replacing Ryan, Nordstrom, Leivo with Coleman, Pitlick, and Lewis. Gio to Zadorov is a fairly big step back on ice as well. Overly I am just not happy at all with Treliving’s work this summer so far.

I do think a full season with Sutter as coach and if Markstrom plays to his potential this team is top 3 in the Pacific but just as easily could finish 6-8 if things don’t go well. There is still time and there are still some big and interesting names on the trade market so my opinion can change but based on where we are today it was a mediocre offseason for a team that is trying to be better than that.

[Drunk Uncle]

Originally Posted by the_only_turek_fan

Full season of Sutter will make all the difference. I expect this team to resemble the 2005-06 version. A lot of 3-2 wins with strong defence and a steady Markstrom.

This team will finish first or second in the division. Have faith.

If the team stays exactly as-is, I'd say 3rd or 4th in the division but agree with you that this will be a better team under Sutter.

We will score less and give up way less.

[Drunk Uncle]

Originally Posted by flambers

Sutter will definitely make a difference, team will be more structured (probably terrible to watch... defense first type of stuff).

They will be consistent, big challenge will be scoring...

My guess they are a bubble team, likely similar to last season.

Team is not as good, however they have a better coach.

The last time Sutter coached in Calgary the hockey was low scoring but not boring at all. It certainly wasn't sit back and trap.

The recipe was simple offensively: make the opposing D turn to get the puck if a carry in option was taken away, try to blow up the D who turned to get the puck, Aggressively forecheck to take away the pass options (most often a 2-1-2), capitalize on the mistakes. I personally thought it was pretty fun to watch that style of hockey.

[Hot_Flatus]

Originally Posted by Drunk Uncle

If the team stays exactly as-is, I'd say 3rd or 4th in the division but agree with you that this will be a better team under Sutter.

We will score less and give up way less.

Anything short of career years from each of the teams top 4-5 forwards is going to lead to another pretty underwhelming season, even in a weak division. This team has a penchant for playing down to its opposition and will simply fall flat in the "easy" games and as is, the Flames will simply not match up with the top teams in the league in a 7 game playoff series even if they do play inspired playoff hockey.

Sutter and Blake Coleman will certainly make the team more competitive, but you can't just create timely goal scoring and determination this group has continually lacked for several years now. If the GM thinks coach #5 under his tenure is suddenly going to stir the drink enough to turn this team into a juggernaught he's sorely mistaken. If that isn't the goal, why is Treliving still here?

[JurassicTunga12]

Well, if this is really all they're going to do with this team for the offseason, that's a failure...

but, things can change quickly.

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by flambers

Sutter will definitely make a difference, team will be more structured (probably terrible to watch... defense first type of stuff).

They will be consistent, big challenge will be scoring...

My guess they are a bubble team, likely similar to last season.

Team is not as good, however they have a better coach.

In the pacific with Sutter they're probably a shoo in for playoffs.

But that's cause the bar is crazy low here.

[The Yen Man]

Originally Posted by Drunk Uncle

If the team stays exactly as-is, I'd say 3rd or 4th in the division but agree with you that this will be a better team under Sutter.

We will score less and give up way less.

Who in the division other than Vegas is that much ahead of the Flames? I would argue the Flames are pretty much even with 3 or 4 teams fighting for 2nd and 3rd spots in the division.

I'm not willing to bet Seattle catches lightning in a bucket like Vegas did. They have more chance of being a bottom feeder than a contending team. Anaheim and San Jose should, for all intents and purposes, be terrible. So you're left with Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver, and maybe LA fighting for two play off spots. And I don't think Calgary loses to any of them, TBH.

Maybe it's the optimist in me once again, but I expect a Sutter led Flames team (even with no changes) getting second or third in the division.

[flambers]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

In the pacific with Sutter they're probably a shoo in for playoffs.

But that's cause the bar is crazy low here.

Yes the Pacific is a weak division

Vegas should be the #1 seed.

With a bunch of teams in the next group for seed 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6

(Oilers, Canucks, Flames, Seattle, Kings ... no particular order)

With Ducks and Sharks at the bottom

My guess Flames are a bubble team, same as last year.

Order with seeds 2 thru 6 will change all season

[Jiri Hrdina]

The Oilers have advantage of having the best player on the ice most nights. And I they that shows you can win a lot of games.
Hate their D and hate their goaltending but I put them in a 2nd tier above the pack.

I also think Vegas is going to start to come back to the pack, but not as much this year. Moreso next year and beyond.

So I have it right now

1. Vegas



2. Edmonton


3-5: Canucks, Flames and probably a surprise between Seattle, Anaheim and LA. I would bet on LA.
I would probably put Vancouver ahead of the Flames right now.


And then everyone else.
I don't see Seattle being good.

[CliffFletcher]

Preseason projections about this team never seem to take into account the core’s proven record of melting down or not showing up in big games. Analyzing the roster misses that intangible constant.

[GioforPM]

I think Treliving was serious when he said changes had to be made. I also think other GMs aren't idiots and know the pros and cons of the Flames players. So if we don't liek the core, why should other GMs want them? I suspect the return for a bunch of these players would not have made posters very happy. I also think those calling for a big move would be pretty surprised at the actual market.

So no, Treliving didn't have a banner off season, though I think his moves were better than a whole lot of teams who made fewer improvements or even regressed.

[Bonded]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

I think Treliving was serious when he said changes had to be made. I also think other GMs aren't idiots and know the pros and cons of the Flames players. So if we don't liek the core, why should other GMs want them? I suspect the return for a bunch of these players would not have made posters very happy. I also think those calling for a big move would be pretty surprised at the actual market.

So no, Treliving didn't have a banner off season, though I think his moves were better than a whole lot of teams who made fewer improvements or even regressed.

Yup, I think it is Eichel or basically same team unless they flip Tkachuk for a return. Gaudreau's value is probably the same now and at the deadline with him being unsigned.

[Flamesfan05]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

The Oilers have advantage of having the best player on the ice most nights. And I they that shows you can win a lot of games.
Hate their D and hate their goaltending but I put them in a 2nd tier above the pack.

I also think Vegas is going to start to come back to the pack, but not as much this year. Moreso next year and beyond.

So I have it right now

1. Vegas



2. Edmonton


3-5: Canucks, Flames and probably a surprise between Seattle, Anaheim and LA. I would bet on LA.
I would probably put Vancouver ahead of the Flames right now.


And then everyone else.
I don't see Seattle being good.

Battle for 3rd and 4th between flames,Canucks,LA and a surprise team

Edmonton also if Smith chokes otherwise they get 2nd

[stemit14]

Originally Posted by flambers

On fan960 yesterday, Will interviewed a media rep (not sure who) and they basically commented.

They thought the team is set, he only expected the Flames to announce additional PTO's for training camp

Other than that, he thought nothing else will occur.

Interesting.

Keep in mind also they would likely be keeping any further moves close to the chest at this point. More and more reports have the flames in the mix for eichel so I still think that is a possibility. And it’s not like anyone in the organization can publicly say they are pursuing eichel… that’s considered tampering.

But even if they are done in terms of additions. I think the flames still have a good chance at making the playoffs and making some noise in the playoffs as well. A healthy Monahan is a big addition to last years team. If you look at how well he was playing early in the season till his injury, he could have a big bounce-back year. I’m also hoping an effort is made to reconcile tkachuk with the rest of the team’s core. If everyone is buying in to Sutter’s system and can re-gel as a team, I think they are easily a playoff team.

Sutter-lead teams are rarely regular season beasts. But they are pretty consistently a handful to deal with in the playoffs. This isn’t a case of “get in and hope for the best.” It’s a case of a style of play that has proven success in the playoffs.

I’m optimistic for this season with or without eichel. Just hoping Gaudreau is re-signed before the start of training camp. Can’t wait for the season to get going. It’s going to be a long September.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

I think Treliving was serious when he said changes had to be made. I also think other GMs aren't idiots and know the pros and cons of the Flames players. So if we don't liek the core, why should other GMs want them? I suspect the return for a bunch of these players would not have made posters very happy. I also think those calling for a big move would be pretty surprised at the actual market.

So no, Treliving didn't have a banner off season, though I think his moves were better than a whole lot of teams who made fewer improvements or even regressed.

Yet another off-season where we go into the season thinking “this is the last kick at the can for this core”.

…except this season we’re going into the final season of the best player’s contract, who now has a very restrictive NTC in place - so even if things go badly this year, we likely can’t look forward to much more than what Taylor Hall (…or Jarome Iginla) returned. The team just isn’t well positioned, and to your point the core players are well known to be what they are so it doesn’t leave a lot of room for hockey trades that improve the team for the now anyways.

It’s why so many of us are so wrapped up on Eichel. He seems to symbolize our last best chance at turning this era of the Flames into anything but a miserable disappointment.

[flambers]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

I think Treliving was serious when he said changes had to be made. I also think other GMs aren't idiots and know the pros and cons of the Flames players. So if we don't liek the core, why should other GMs want them? I suspect the return for a bunch of these players would not have made posters very happy. I also think those calling for a big move would be pretty surprised at the actual market.

So no, Treliving didn't have a banner off season, though I think his moves were better than a whole lot of teams who made fewer improvements or even regressed.

My guess, Flames have a set value on their core. Flames can't afford to move a core forward if the return is low... (my guess)

However, my view of the offseason is C minus kind of a thing.

Other than Coleman, Flames have not really addressed their lineup issues.

Hopefully some of the forwards and young defense can have a rebound season

[Doctorfever]

Originally Posted by Flamesfan05

Battle for 3rd and 4th between flames,Canucks,LA and a surprise team

Edmonton also if Smith chokes otherwise they get 2nd

It’s going to be quite a year. Oilers team setup to try to win games 8-6. Flames team setup to try to win games 2-1.

I suspect the Oilers might be better setup to win in regular season (McD and Drai alone). Flames might not make it to the playoffs, where their presumed style of play could be better than the Oilers.

Hopefully makes for some fun BOA this year.

[bax]

Originally Posted by FanIn80

As opposed to the Flames` style of passively trying to lose?

What? You really think our roster without Markstrom is as bad as Buffalo? Detroit? Columbus? Anaheim?