[Rumour] Flames Not Yet Done - More to Come? Possible D for F?

[Monahammer]

I'm thinking the target needs to be in a similar vein to Bennett. A former high potential pick that is floundering with team and needs change of scenery. Team would be looking to reclaim value. Add that to our RW desires and we have:

- Kaako
- Vilardi
- Zadina
- Kravtsov
- Glass
- Gauthier
- Hayton
- Kupari
- Wahlstrom
- Logan Brown

MAYBE if we blow the socks of the rangers we could swing at Laf? But i think we'd have to give up an uncomfortable amount to move that needle still. The above list shouldn't cost an arm and a leg IMO, and would all be worthy candidates for a shot in our top 6.

[bax]

Originally Posted by Hot_Flatus

That's it exactly. When you have a player like Mackey waiting in the wings, who can play a bottom pairing role for pennies on the dollar comparatively, you are better served to try to add further scoring depth than play a player in a lesser role than they are suited.

If the team moved Kylington + for a forward, you have close to $5M in space to work with - this is a legitimate player and could make much more of an impact on the season than leaving things as they are currently constructed.

Which 5 million dollar forward are we getting for Kylington though? Is there anybody worth while who is actually available?

I have actually liked Mackey when he has played, but it’s pretty clear that Sutter doesn’t trust him. Only 9 career games to his name and already 26 years old. Older than Hanifin, Andersson, and Kylington.

If Sutter was willing to give him a full time role I really don’t think they would have signed tweeners in Meloche, Gilbert, and probably Stone.

[Flamesfan05]

Originally Posted by bax

Which winger is available for Hanifin that will make us better? This keeps getting thrown around, but I haven’t heard a single realistic name mentioned. Especially not a month before the season.

Everyone keeps saying “the Flames have 10 defenseman on one way deals, something has to give!”, but how many of these guys are fringe NHLer’s at best?

Weegar
Hanifin
Andersson
Tanev
Kylington
Zadorov
Meloche
Mackey
Valimaki
Gilbert

I would argue there is very clearly an NHL top 6, 1 spot for an extra (probably Meloche) and then AHL depth.

I don’t see any situation where trading one of the top 4 D makes us a better team.

If the Flames loved Mackey or Valimaki they probably wouldn’t have signed guys like Meloche and Gilbert.

Zadorov was not signed and Weegar was not a flames when they signed Meloche and Gilbert

[Nelson]

I want Kessel or Milano, not Rodrigues. Rodrigues’ scoring rate and possession metrics don’t say that Rodrigues is anything special to me.

Kessel’s still scoring at 1.8 P/60 at 5v5 even with a very low shooting percentage. Obviously, he’s old, and this figure is down from his career average in the 2s. But he shot a career worst percentage. 1.8 is still better than Rodrigues’ best season (1.7). And Kessel’s possession metrics are still strong.

Milano’s scoring rates at 5 v 5 are also quite strong in every season in which he plays a significant number of games (17-18: 2.1, 19-20: 1.9, 21-22: 2.0). He’s left-handed, but the trade off is that he’s young, 26. That isn’t that big of a deal on a 1-year contract, but who knows? Maybe Dube runs into trouble and Milano can replace him long-term?

[Monahammer]

I would be pretty comfortable with Huberdeau-Lindholm-Kessel . We could definitely do worse. I personally don't think Phil is willing to play in Canada for ~2 million.

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by Pickle Juice

I still think JT miller should be a strong possibility.

Huberdeau Miller Lindholm
Mangie Kadri Toffoli

That’s a beauty 1,2 punch in my opinion.

It would look good, but the cost to acquire and the huge cap hit makes it an impossible dream.

[Flamesfan05]

Originally Posted by Nelson

I want Kessel or Milano, not Rodrigues. Rodrigues’ scoring rate and possession metrics don’t say that Rodrigues is anything special to me.

Kessel’s still scoring at 1.8 P/60 at 5v5 even with a very low shooting percentage. Obviously, he’s old, and this figure is down from his career average in the 2s. But he shot a career worst percentage. 1.8 is still better than Rodrigues’ best season (1.7). And Kessel’s possession metrics are still strong.

Milano’s scoring rates at 5 v 5 are also quite strong in every season in which he plays a significant number of games (17-18: 2.1, 19-20: 1.9, 21-22: 2.0). He’s left-handed, but the trade off is that he’s young, 26. That isn’t that big of a deal on a 1-year contract, but who knows? Maybe Dube runs into trouble and Milano can replace him long-term?

Kessel had all the chances in Arizona and did little
Milano is really a garbage player if he is not scoring. His scoring was propped up by zegras. There is a reason nobody wants him

At this point there is little help from the free agent market, just risk unless you can get them close to minimum salary and short term

[SeanCharles]

I think people are sleeping on Meloche and could be a Gudbranson replacement on the 3rd pairing/PK.

[Flamesfan05]

Originally Posted by SeanCharles

I think people are sleeping on Meloche and could be a Gudbranson replacement on the 3rd pairing/PK.

He should be ahead of Valimaki and Mackey

But there are 6 guys ahead of him

[SeanCharles]

Originally Posted by Flamesfan05

He should be ahead of Valimaki and Mackey

But there are 6 guys ahead of him

100%

But that's what we are all here discussing..

We only have 13 forwards, two of which are Pelletier and Ruzicka.

We have heard Treliving say they have alot of Dmen.

Logic would dictate something will give here.

[bax]

Originally Posted by Flamesfan05

Zadorov was not signed and Weegar was not a flames when they signed Meloche and Gilbert

Yeah, but then they did sign Zadorov and trade for Weegar. Pushing everybody down the depth chart. Conversation would be different if they didn’t target these guys.

It’s pretty obvious Sutter won’t be giving a permanent spot to Valimaki or Mackey unless the blow the doors off at camp.

[bax]

Originally Posted by SeanCharles

100%

But that's what we are all here discussing..

We only have 13 forwards, two of which are Pelletier and Ruzicka.

We have heard Treliving say they have alot of Dmen.

Logic would dictate something will give here.

I agree, but if anything I think it will be something very minor. Valimaki for a struggling prospect or Mackey for for a fringe forward. Heck, maybe somebody just gets picked up on waivers.

[Nelson]

Originally Posted by Flamesfan05

Kessel had all the chances in Arizona and did little
Milano is really a garbage player if he is not scoring. His scoring was propped up by zegras. There is a reason nobody wants him

At this point there is little help from the free agent market, just risk unless you can get them close to minimum salary and short term

The with or without you tool on Natural Stat Trick says that Milano and Zegras were better together. Both were weaker apart from the other.

Milano without Zegras: 336:43, 49.5 CF%, 49.1 xGF%
Zegras without Milano: 565:31, 49.0 CF%, 48.4 xGF%
Zegras and Milano: 500:43, 53.7 CF%, 55.0 xGF%

Kessel had 52 points, and I’m betting on regression to the mean as far as shooting percentage goes. Career SH%: 10.8. Last year SH%: 4.6.

[Nelson]

Bottom line: I think this lineup needs to replace offence lost from the wings. I think the best options in free agency are 1. Kessel, 2. Milano, 3. Rodrigues.

If the Flames go the trade route, I don’t want them to touch Hanifin, Weegar, Tanev or Andersson. Therein lies the issue. Because I don’t think they’re getting much without trading 1 of them.

[iggyloob12]

Originally Posted by bax

I agree, but if anything I think it will be something very minor. Valimaki for a struggling prospect or Mackey for for a fringe forward. Heck, maybe somebody just gets picked up on waivers.

Valimaki is probably untradable at his cap hit and will get waived and sent down unless he does the impossible and makes the team. Mackey is 26 with only a handful of NHL games, so I'd be surprised if anyone picks him up. I think they trade a player that isn't one of those two AHL depth guys.

[PuckSlap]

Originally Posted by Nelson

Bottom line: I think this lineup needs to replace offence lost from the wings. I think the best options in free agency are 1. Kessel, 2. Milano, 3. Rodrigues.

If the Flames go the trade route, I don’t want them to touch Hanifin, Weegar, Tanev or Andersson. Therein lies the issue. Because I don’t think they’re getting much without trading 1 of them.

My thoughts exactly. I wonder if anyone on that list will make a good top line right wing. I don’t think so

[FanIn80]

How come every lineup I see, both here and in the media, has Pelletier in the #3LW spot? Did I miss an announcement somewhere that he had made the team? If not, then why is everyone confident Sutter's gonna graduate him?

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by bax

I agree, but if anything I think it will be something very minor. Valimaki for a struggling prospect or Mackey for for a fringe forward. Heck, maybe somebody just gets picked up on waivers.

I think the most likely move candidates are Valimaki and Kylington. They have the most optimal combo of "could be worth something" and "we can absorb the loss). Valimaki is a first rounder who has been sought in previous trade talks, Kylington had a breakout year, and was once a highly touted draft prospect as well. He torched some teams who maybe would be more interested in him. and they are fairly inexpensive for a team that needs D.

Hanifin you only move in a blockbuster.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by FanIn80

How come every lineup I see, both here and in the media, has Pelletier in the #3LW spot? Did I miss an announcement somewhere that he had made the team? If not, then why is everyone confident Sutter's gonna graduate him?

He's the most likely graduate. Sutter may play rookies less, but he usually find one or two to play. He gave Ruzicka some time last season and he finally let Kylington off the leash a bit. Previous teams - he's played Phaneuf, Kempe, Shore, Toffoli, Pearson, Kobasew, etc.

[SeanCharles]

Originally Posted by FanIn80

How come every lineup I see, both here and in the media, has Pelletier in the #3LW spot? Did I miss an announcement somewhere that he had made the team? If not, then why is everyone confident Sutter's gonna graduate him?

Exactly.

We have 11 forwards signed who were full-time NHLers last season, no AHL veterans with significant NHL experience and way too many Dmen.

Not to mention we still have Stone who might end up getting signed as well.