Post Mortem : What happens now?

[dino7c]

People keep listing top draft picks on other teams saying you need one to win... meanwhile Gaudreau outscored all of them except McDavid.

[Classic_Sniper]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Players are aware - very aware - of fan perceptions. Yes, his family is settled, but as far as not waving, and forcing himself onto the Flames roster, most players wouldn't do that, as it would be an uncomfortable situation. More uncomfortable than playing somewhere else for a year. And certainly more uncomfortable than retiring and foregoing $1M in salary.

What do you mean “forcing himself onto the Flames’ roster?” He’s already on the team and has a role. He’s considered a leader in that dressing room. I don’t think he feels uncomfortable at all. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a player remove themselves from a team just help their cap situation, if anyone has an example, I’d like to hear it because right now, it sounds like daydreaming.

It wouldn’t even be up to just him, what about his wife’s opinion? Does she want to pack up and move? The kids and all their friends? What does it mean for the proceeding years after his contract ends? Maybe he does retire then, that could ultimately mean another move to somewhere else. 2 moves in one calendar year. Seems crazy to me that a player would uproot his family to help out his GM.

Anyways, I’m not going to waste any more time arguing about Lucic retiring or not retiring as I don’t think it’s realistic. We’re just going to have to agree to disagree.


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[PeteMoss]

The big question around Lucic retiring is about money. Does he want to play next season for $1 million dollars? I imagine he's pretty beat up and he's got money. This was always built into those back loaded contracts back in the day - they'd add a bunch of low paid years so the guy could retire while still getting most of his salary.

And I don't know the rules - but I assume if he's paid the bonus - its going to count against the cap next year.

[Vinny01]

I am certainly not banking on Lucic retiring. I wouldn’t be shocked if he got another co tract after this if he wanted to keep playing for minimum money.

Pretty sure he has loved life since Peters was fired. The Flames fans love the guy, the team has been competitive in 2 of the 3 years he has been here and he has a role on the team. He played through an injury this year so unless his body is breaking down I think he plans to come back next year. I doubt he would want to move. Maybe the Ducks since he had/has a place in Southern California? I just don’t see it and he can’t be bought out.

[Erick Estrada]

I can't remember a Flames offseason with so much uncertainty. I think the dominos will start to fall once the Gaudreau situation is finalized one way or another.

[GioforPM]

I went and looked - the players who've retired with term left are really few and far between. Up north they are all about Smith and Keith retiring and it's as much a pipe dream there as here. I imagine every team's fanbase has a player or two they fantasize is going to retire and save their cap.

[Icantwhisper]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

I am certainly not banking on Lucic retiring. I wouldn’t be shocked if he got another co tract after this if he wanted to keep playing for minimum money.

Pretty sure he has loved life since Peters was fired. The Flames fans love the guy, the team has been competitive in 2 of the 3 years he has been here and he has a role on the team. He played through an injury this year so unless his body is breaking down I think he plans to come back next year. I doubt he would want to move. Maybe the Ducks since he had/has a place in Southern California? I just don’t see it and he can’t be bought out.

A million dollars is still a million dollars, I can see Lucic getting another 2-3 year deal after this for 2 to 2.5 a year. Be a great player to have in the price range.

[blankall]

Lucic is also a competitor who values family/friends over financial gain. He considered retirement when he was getting benched. I wouldn't rule it out now:

https://www.sportingnews.com/ca/nhl/...m1ix7bcoynv4ir

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by Icantwhisper

A million dollars is still a million dollars, I can see Lucic getting another 2-3 year deal after this for 2 to 2.5 a year. Be a great player to have in the price range.

Agreed in the sense that despite Lucic earning $70+M in his career so far he maybe only has 1-3 years left where he can make $1M+ per year.

I don’t know about 2-2.5 for a 35+ Lucic but I think a team would love for him to provide leadership and toughness. We didn’t hear about Benn chirping Tkachuk after Lucic had a chat with him at center ice.

I see Lucic going for the minimum either here, California or ending things in Boston or maybe Pittsburgh

[Northendzone]

it would sure be interesting to know exactly where the Flames and Johnny are at in terms of a potential deal. What has Johnny told the flames it will take. Have the flames put some paper in front of him.

Also wonder what Johnny's number is for other teams vs the Flames.

i'd be curious how often Brad and Johnnys agent are talking each week

[howard_the_duck]

Originally Posted by dino7c

People keep listing top draft picks on other teams saying you need one to win... meanwhile Gaudreau outscored all of them except McDavid.

Well it's not not a thing.

3 of the 4 teams in the conference finals have top picks (some multiple) that are at the heart of their core group.

And please excuse the fanbase for having some recency bias, being stung by two top 5 picks, in feeling like there's a talent disparity that you tend to acquire at the top of the draft.

Johnny's story is amazing but he's the true exception.

[PeteMoss]

Originally Posted by howard_the_duck

Well it's not not a thing.

3 of the 4 teams in the conference finals have top picks (some multiple) that are at the heart of their core group.

And please excuse the fanbase for having some recency bias, being stung by two top 5 picks, in feeling like there's a talent disparity that you tend to acquire at the top of the draft.

Johnny's story is amazing but he's the true exception.

They also drafted a Norris trophy winning defenseman in the 3rd round (although he decided to not show up)

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by howard_the_duck

Well it's not not a thing.

3 of the 4 teams in the conference finals have top picks (some multiple) that are at the heart of their core group.

And please excuse the fanbase for having some recency bias, being stung by two top 5 picks, in feeling like there's a talent disparity that you tend to acquire at the top of the draft.

Johnny's story is amazing but he's the true exception.

Tkachuk also outscored many of those players. Lindholm was just voted the 2nd best defensive forward in the game.

Tkachuk, Gaudreau, and Lindholm could have easily been top 3 picks with hindsight....Tkachuk and Lindholm were high as it is

The goalie was voted the 2nd best goalie in the league this season, had a rough playoff though I will admit.

Bottom line is the Flames have the top end talent (assuming they come back)

[MrMike]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

I went and looked - the players who've retired with term left are really few and far between. Up north they are all about Smith and Keith retiring and it's as much a pipe dream there as here. I imagine every team's fanbase has a player or two they fantasize is going to retire and save their cap.

Smiths over 35 contract, so they’d be stuck with the hit still.

Don’t see why he would turn down his last 2.5 million he’ll ever earn though.

[iggyloob12]

That 35-plus rule no longer applies. If he retires, he’s off the books.

[activeStick]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Yes, if you overplay Handersson and Zadbranson against the Oiler top line, eventually they will get beaten even if they play them well most of the time. Without Tanev, Kylington dropped to bottom ice time.

Speaking of selling high maybe this is the time to trade Kylington. He looked great with Tanev, but his November stats created his career season and he was pretty ordinary offensive wise outside of that month.

Similar to the short sightedness of shipping out a 25-year old, top pairing minute-munching guy in Hanifin making 4.95M, it would be unwise to be as patient as the Flames have been developing Kylington over the last 7 years to trade him now after his 1st full year on the NHL team where he played well but made some mistakes and appears to still be learning (shocking, I know!).

[activeStick]

Originally Posted by Bonded

Yup, Lucic was pretty close to retiring in Edmonton, so it isn't crazy. Big guy with a back condition that plays a tough game and doesn’t need to chase a cup. I could see him hanging it up if the Flames are good with him taking the bonus and retiring.

I never knew this. I thought he considered retirement while with the Flames under Bill Peters? Maybe I'm mistaken and it was actually under the Oilers.

[MrMike]

Originally Posted by iggyloob12

That 35-plus rule no longer applies. If he retires, he’s off the books.

Oh no idea that one happened.

Honestly it was a stupid rule anyways.

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by iggyloob12

That 35-plus rule no longer applies. If he retires, he’s off the books.

He certainly is with respect to unpaid salary/bonus.

But it’s hard to imagine that any salary actually paid as part of next season magically gets forgiven.

[iggyloob12]

My reply was about Smith, not Lucic.
https://twitter.com/puckpedia/status...oqbC91UldU9Pug