Kessel's stats are still up there in recent years and doesn't show the signs if significant decline like others. If you look at recent pics of Ovechkin, he is in a Kessel body shape as well. These guys are just athletic underneath the hot dog bods somehow.
I wouldn’t mind waiting until the deadline to do a move.
A Kane rental would fit nicely into our remaining cap space with a little retained.
The other other one that might fit is okposo.
I don’t see the need to do something now. This is a playoff team and having defensive depth during the regular season is important.
I agree with waiting...this team has been incredibly fortunate with injuries for a few years...let's get through a few months of the season and see what's missing. Give Pelletier/Ruzicka/Dubé lots of leash - the absolute best value would be getting solid contributions at their low AAVs.
That said, if you can turn something like Hanifin+Valimaki (+maybe Dubé/etc) into a top 6 F and solid middle pair D (ideally safe RHD to pair with Zadorov)...especially
Weegar-Andersson
OK-Kylington
Zadorov-_____
E.g. Beauvillier+Mayfield, Arvidsson+Walker, Mercer+Graves, etc.
I would think Francis and Leslie are just speculating based on the number of defense on one way deals. I think it will be a small signing like Rodrigues or Milano. Then if there is a defenseman like Valimaki or Mackey who doesn’t look like they will make it during camp they might look to move them for a pick before waivers.
Really hoping if there is a deal, it's for a legit top 6 forward. Otherwise, I'd much rather leave depth roster positions open for prospects. I'd hope the team would at least wait until training camp, and give the prospects a chance, before signing any depth forwards.
My preference and hope is that Treliving holds for now. I heard that Treliving has 10 one-way contracts on D so I imagine he maybe does something for two of those at most in a smaller deal for a pick?
But for now, let's see what this roster can do. Make a big move at the deadline and bring in someone very good based on needs at that time. Will also be able to squeeze in a higher salaried player at that time too. If they're expiring contracts, fine with me.
Flames have about $2.2 million cap space right now with 21 players.
I don't see them sitting on that with some of the forwards still kicking around in free agency who might be bargains.
Kessel is old and tubby but 52 points on that garbage team last season? Might end up being a huge bargain bin signing to be honest.
And lol at the poster who likened signing him to signing James Neal. They won't be giving Phil a 5 year deal, probably just a one year deal for around $2 million if it happens.
Getting him for around $2 million and then having him put up 20g/40a/60p would be a massive bargain, and solidify the top 6 with another right hand shot.
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The Monahan trade is going to haunt us for years. The 2024 1st and both 2025 1sts are all frozen and not possible to trade. People will realize it around Christmas 2023.
The Monahan trade is going to haunt us for years. The 2024 1st and both 2025 1sts are all frozen and not possible to trade. People will realize it around Christmas 2023.
Honestly this isn't the worst thing...I'd rather we not trade more 1sts.
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The idea of trading one of our D for a top 6 forward makes sense, but I don't see why it has to happen now.
Let this strong D start the season, let Sutter do what he does to showcase them and look for desperate teams during the season when our defense values are likely even higher.
If the right deal is there now sure, but there's no rush IMO.
The Monahan trade is going to haunt us for years. The 2024 1st and both 2025 1sts are all frozen and not possible to trade. People will realize it around Christmas 2023.
They can still be traded, it will just take some crazy added stipulations
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Whether or not we want them to, the inability to do so is disastrous.
Nonsense. In the first place, not trading 1st-round picks away is not what causes disasters.
In the second place, there is no inability. The conditions on the Monahan trade were complicated because they had to account for the conditions on the Tkachuk trade. If the Flames do trade another 1st before those two deals vest, they'll just have to add another layer of conditions, that's all. The list of conditions will make fans' eyes bleed and the media won't even try to comprehend it, but lawyers eat that stuff for breakfast and every team has 'em.
Meanwhile, they still have their 2023 1st free and clear with no conditions attached.
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