3rd line center to solidify Flames' forward group?

[djsFlames]

With Monahan looking the most "comfortable" he has in a while in a fourth line checking role with PP2 rotations and Adam Ruzicka still relatively early in his NHL development, who can Treliving pick up to be a third line, or ideally a "2B" center role with room for versatility in the event of Monahan moving back up due to performance (can move to the wing) or injuries in the top six.

Some speculated options:

Callie Jarnkrok, Seattle Kraken
GP 49: G 12 A 14 P 26 -15
Cap hit: 2,000,000
Age: 30
-plays center & wing
-can move up and down line up
-impressive performance against Flames this season
-expiring, low cap hit
-Lindholm's cousin

Paul Stastny, Winnipeg Jets
GP 49: G 17 A 13 P 30 +4
Cap hit: 3,750,000
Age: 36
-veteran option
-playoff experience against top western teams
-can still score
-expiring
-would require money to be moved out

Andrew Copp, Winnipeg Jets
GP 54: G 13 A 19 P 32 +/-0
Cap hit: 3,640,000
Age: 27
-reliable depth forward
-plays center and LW
-brings some size and fits Sutter's brand
-would require money to be moved out
-**health is currently in question

Additional options:

Jack Roslovic, Colombus Blue Jacks
Rickard Rakell, Anaheim Ducks
Vladislav Namestnikov, Detroit Red Wings
Sam Gagner, Detroit Red Wings

Who is your preference?

Any other options realistically worth considering?

Keeping in mind that the team is operating in a very tight cap situation and probably doesn't want to disturb the great rhythm the current roster is in. Any salary moved out to facilitate this trade would most ideally be a peripheral player.

[MrMike]

Derek Brassard might be another option.

Max Domi from Columbus

Namestikov or Sam Gagner from Detroit

Cody Eakin or Mark Jankowski from Buffalo

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by MrMike

Derek Brassard might be another option.

Is he still an above-replacement level player? I haven't followed Brassard this season.

[cowtown75]

Eric Staal ?

[Heavy Jack]

Jarnkrok is my first pick, low cap hit, low cost, close to Lindholm, righty with faceoff experience and wing experience. He checks a ton of boxes IMO.
Getzlaf would be a dream type addition and as far as lefty forwards go I’d be over the moon if we could add Parise.

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by cowtown75

Eric Staal ?

This is intriguing if they can't outbid teams or find an affordable option. Would he sign for league minimum here?

An additional option is never a bad thing.

[MrMike]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

Is he still an above-replacement level player? I haven't followed Brassard this season.

Me either. I just listed a few UFA centers from teams missing the playoffs. I don’t know if any of the ones I listed are any upgrade.

[Mathgod]

Minnesota has Victor Rask in the minors right now, he might be available, though it may not be possible to make the trade work cap wise. Perhaps a 3rd team with ample cap space could get involved? Monahan + 2nd for Seattle's 7th, then trade that 7th plus a 5th for Rask.

[camm13]

Originally Posted by MrMike

Derek Brassard might be another option.

Max Domi from Columbus

Namestikov or Sam Gagner from Detroit

Cody Eakin or Mark Jankowski from Buffalo

Jankowski worked so great the first time

[DAN0383]

I'd be down for Sam Gagner

[djsFlames]

I don't know if moving Monahan's cap hit would be realistic.

I also don't see them shedding Ritchie as he's the perfect 13th forward to management/Sutter and he wouldn't be sought after either.

It looks like Valimaki's $1.55M might be one of the few movable salaries to open up that inch of cap room they would need to make an acquisition without disturbing the current roster. But I also don't know if I would gamble Valimaki on one playoff run.

If you can find a clear upgrade, the salary i would look to move the other way is Dube's. But again, I doubt the team is willing to part ways with Dillon either since he has played a role in this group and has helped elevate Monahan.

[Eric Vail]

Sam Gagner is not a bottom six player or a Darrell Sutter player. He is a soft fringe player for teams like Edmonton and Detroit.

I'd far rather roll the dice with a young guy from the AHL.

[oldschoolcalgary]

I would love a Jarnkrok add... good player, low cap hit...hopefully reasonable acquisition cost.

I wonder if getting Stone in wasn't also a bit fortuitous to see where his game is at before the playoffs...while I don't think that eliminates trading for a defensman at the deadline, it might be for a guy that's along the lines of a 7/8 and not a 4/5

[djsFlames]

I would have playoff experience (specifically prior playoff success) as a prerequisite for any player I bring in.

A lot of near-replacement level players being brought up. Sure, they might be a marginal upgrade. But I don't know if I'd feel better about Gagner or Brassard in a 3C role over Monahan. Either way, I think they could get rolled by the depth of a healthy Vegas or Colorado.

Need someone that can play in the big games, even if they're not going to hit the scoresheet every night. That's what you need.

[Mathgod]

Riley Sheahan has 33 games of playoff experience. Maybe he would be a decent fit here.

[TheSquatch]

No idea how Stastny looks this year, but I've always loved what he brought.

[djsFlames]

Stastny would easily be my pick if he and Jarnkrok had the same hit.

Jarnkrok being cheap is undoubtedly going to draw a few teams for his services. And Seattle is going to want to capitalize on their few trade chips.

[powderjunkie]

I'll cross-post this from the big trade thread since it'll get quickly buried, and is more relevant here:

I keep coming back to Roslovic. He has some warts, but good speed and a nice high ceiling. It's weird that it hasn't gone better for him this year in CBJ - would have thought they'd do everything possible to make the local kid a long-term fixture. He's getting more TOI with Boone/Texier injured, but he looks to be the odd man out behind those two and Sillinger.

He's the type of guy we'll be looking for to replace Monahan next year...probably looking at a 1x2.5M QO. Dubé and a 3rd (maybe conditionally upgrades to 2nd)?

Change of scenery deal; CBJ gets a couple years younger with a bit more term (though I'm not sure if Roslovic would be UFA if he takes a 1 year QO...I think he might have 1 more year of RFA after). CGY can't really afford to pay this version of Dubé 2.3M next year, but 2.5M would be really good value for a 3C with JR's upside.

Lucic-Ruzicka-Toffoli
Lewis-Monahan-Roslovic

Always the option to put Roslovic at C if the lights get too bright for Ruzicka, and realistically we'll need 5-6 C's for a run.

[SportsJunky]

Stastny is interesting to me. Big body center that comes with skill and play-off experience. Pure rental. If the $ can be made to work I think he's the guy.

[Enoch Root]

My first thought is Stastny as well, but how is his speed at this point? We don't need another slow C, we need a fast one.