2023/2024 Trade Rumors and Speculation Thread

[Paulie Walnuts]

If Lindholm stays that probably means they told him they will be making hockey trades for the guys who won't stay.

I don't see many hockey deals being out there if teams are looking to add these guys.

[Flames1217]

Lafrenière and Wright are completely different players.

Lafrenière is a finesse possession/power winger and Wright is a two way centre.

Lafrenière was rushed, players in his mold need strength and more importantly time to truly succeed at the NHL level. In junior he was able to muscle through the opposition and he hasn't been able to do this on a consistent basis in the NHL. All the tools are there with Lafrenière, it is simply a question of when/if he will be strong enough to truly start playing his game. I don't think he will ever be a 100 point winger but I think being close to PPG while being a nightmare to play against isn't out of question.

Wright on the other hand needs time to simply adjust. As a two way centre the speed of the NHL is going to be quite the hurdle to adjust to. He is a cerebral player unlike Lafrenière who is more of a physical player thus adjusting to the NHL should in theory be slightly easier. I do however think that Wright has the higher floor out of the two but Laffy has the higher ceiling.

[Aarongavey]

Originally Posted by TOfan

Nailed it.

At the same time, and for the reasons you stated here, I think it’s harder to pry away highly valued prospects from other teams than draft picks. We can probably get a Filip Zadina from Detroit but I don’t think he has professed the way they would have hoped. Is LA willing to part with Turcotte? I would be a bit surprised Byfield’s a prospect they would part with. I’m sure there is a long list but if a 10-20 year old is kicking the door down on an ELC, hard to justify moving that player for what the Flames have to offer. I think most teams would loathe scenario. Maybe Hanifin gets you am A prospect because he’s 26.

I would be all for it though, Nieuwendyk-Iginla 2, bring it on.

We can drop the modern day Corey Millen from the trade. No need to waste space on that unless it is a cap dump and we are getting more assets for taking on some veteran player.

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

Sometimes I feel like the increased understanding of salaries and cap management has completely ruined the experience of being a hockey fan, and seeing someone not want a prime-aged top line centre because they are concerned about cap management specifically related to a lesser player is absolutely one of those times.

Since the cap was brought in to help make smaller market teams competitive, you gotta live with this type of stuff.

Lindholm is no linger prime age when it come to NHL standards anymore, due to cap issues.

Sure he may be in his prime, but it's later prime. it's why Florida paid a lot for Tkachuk, he was younger.

[Scroopy Noopers]

Originally Posted by Flames1217

Lafrenière and Wright are completely different players.

Lafrenière is a finesse possession/power winger and Wright is a two way centre.

Lafrenière was rushed, players in his mold need strength and more importantly time to truly succeed at the NHL level. In junior he was able to muscle through the opposition and he hasn't been able to do this on a consistent basis in the NHL. All the tools are there with Lafrenière, it is simply a question of when/if he will be strong enough to truly start playing his game. I don't think he will ever be a 100 point winger but I think being close to PPG while being a nightmare to play against isn't out of question.

Wright on the other hand needs time simply adjust. As a two way centre the speed of the NHL is going to be quite the hurdle to adjust to. He is a cerebral player unlike Lafrenière who is more of a physical player thus adjusting to the NHL should in theory be slightly easier. I do however think that Wright has the higher floor out of the two but Laffy has the higher ceiling.

This is the most accurate take on these two I’ve seen.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by aaronkarlpatton

Based on his past statements, I'm assuming it's an announcement that he is available for trade and Conroy is seeking dance partners.

Sent from my SM-G990W2 using Tapatalk

That is honestly what I think. Last week when we heard Frank and others talk about Lindholm the Flames were trying to get him to extend. I could see today as some sort of deadline that if he is still undecided they ramp up their efforts to make a trade which gives them at least 2 days before a pressure point being the draft occurs. It doesn’t mean they need to make a deal by the draft but it is important to know what options are available leading up to the draft.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Scroopy Noopers

During the entirety of my adulthood, we haven’t had a centre at Lindholms level. The fact that anyone would be disappointed in keeping this particular player is nuts to me.

That probably highlights why the Flames haven't really accomplished a lot over the last 30 years. If Lindholm is the best center the organization has had in your lifetime then it's not really shocking that they haven't won anything or accomplished much in the playoffs. I certainly won't be upset if they re-sign him but the reality is that the Flames didn't win anything with Lindholm and Backlund their prime. Why are we expecting things to get better by extending them for more money well into their declining years? If fans are okay with the current make the playoffs, miss the playoff trend then I get why they want him back but the best thing for this organization is to just move on from all of these guys and take the immediate lumps in hopes of long term gains from rebuilding. I just feel this is a case of Flames fans getting too comfortable with mediocrity and being scared of change. Embrace the change and hopes of one day breaking free of mediocrity.

[Scroopy Noopers]

^ of course. It’s been the reason I’ve heard most talked about basically my entire existence. We need a centre! We have always had good D groups (on paper), and seem to always find reasonable wingers. Goaltending is goaltending, it’s a gamble always.

[Boreal]

Originally Posted by Goriders

I think if you look back at the Flames drafting track record I wouldn’t put all my chips on trading players for draft picks only.

Flames hit percentage in the draft isn’t that good and you need someone to actually play. Unless you want to watch a last place team for a long time.

Who is currently on the team that the Flames drafted in the first two rounds. Backlund, Anderson, Dube? They are good players but probably not the calibre required to carry a team. The rest came through trades or free agent pick ups.

Of their past high draft picks Bennet was a supporting cast player, Monahan was a good player but injuries caught up with him and Tkachuk left for greener pastures. Of the three Tkachuk was probably the guy you could build a championship team around. So one player out of how many picks. The odds aren’t that high. Even for early picks in the first round. The draft is a crapshoot.

I get the infatuation with high draft picks but if the Flames are rebuilding their roster I think it’s going to be via a combination of drafting as well as trades and free agents for the immediate future.

Conroy is going to have his work cut out for him. Pretty much getting thrown into the fire right off the bat. The next month has the potential to set the course for the Flames for the next number of years. Good or bad.

What is your actual point?

They should draft to avoid injuries like Monahan and Valimaki?

I like how you conveniently forgot about how they drafted a Norris Trophy winner in the 3rd round who wouldn’t sign here. That’s still a pick scouts made.

There is a huge amount of variables that are far from certain picking and projecting 18 and 19 year olds.

If they don’t get picks they get players. Either way it’s about scouting & knowing who can play & who can’t.

Craig knows this. He has an eye for talent, who can play & who can’t. He‘s learned from others that you get one chance… one… to develop a player.

Development is as important as drafting. He knows the scouts need to have trust in him and each other to learn and get better. He also won’t go off the board and call an audible on some player “he thinks” is better like Sutter would as GM.

Additionally having guys like Iginla & Savard on board to give their perspective on players from a coach and elite player perspective is invaluable.

If they were ever ready for roster turnover with a front office composed of eminently competent hockey minds who are constantly focused on getting better… it is now.

[cannon7]

Originally Posted by Goriders

I get the infatuation with high draft picks but if the Flames are rebuilding their roster I think it’s going to be via a combination of drafting as well as trades and free agents for the immediate future.

It's this kind of thinking that got us into the mess we're in now.

[Buff]

Originally Posted by Sec214

Can’t get confirmation.

It’s late but it’s Lindholm. I’ll see what I wake up too and report back.

10AM MST.

I keep hitting F5 but it doesn't speed up time.

[Moneyhands23]

Originally Posted by Buff

I keep hitting F5 but it doesn't speed up time.

I think sec..waa in his cups last night

[flamesgod]

Originally Posted by cannon7

It's this kind of thinking that got us into the mess we're in now.

No, our team was actually built pretty good. The reason we’re in this mess is because our two top players bailed. Nothing to do with how we were built. If those two are still here, we would’ve been a top team again last year.

[camm13]

Originally Posted by tkflames

Sutter was the rot...except 2 weeks after he gets skidded...half the team of long term players still wants to leave. That should tell you everything you need to know about "wasted"...

People really playing into the narrative that the media put out. It's also out there that both Backlund and Toffoli wanted long term deals, both of which understandably Conroy said no to given their ages. So they feel like they can go seek that elsewhere, grass is greener on the other side till they find out it's not. Hanifin wanting to go play in the states, sure makes sense. Lindholm still up in the air, half reports say he was wanted out, half said he wants to stay. Frank accomplished stirring the pot by putting all 4 out there they same day causing a frenzy, and everyone just blindly believing it has to be locker rooms that they want to go

[cannon7]

Originally Posted by flamesgod

No, our team was actually built pretty good. The reason we’re in this mess is because our two top players bailed. Nothing to do with how we were built. If those two are still here, we would’ve been a top team again last year.

Yeah, two players bailed. And 7 more players are likely to bail.

The lesson isn't "well, they bailed, but we would have been fine if they hadn't".

The lesson is "this is inevitable, don't let it be a death blow".

How do you do that? Build a talent pipeline ready to fill spots as they become available. Prioritize futures over veterans.

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by cannon7

Yeah, two players bailed. And 7 more players are likely to bail.

The lesson isn't "well, they bailed, but we would have been fine if they hadn't".

The lesson is "this is inevitable, don't let it be a death blow".

How do you do that? Build a talent pipeline ready to fill spots as they become available. Prioritize futures over veterans.

I would hardly call one of the most unique 2-off-season exodus situations, especially involving two early/mid-twenties all stars, “inevitable.”

There’s not a prospect pipeline in the league that could fill these gaps in this timeframe.

[flamesgod]

Originally Posted by cannon7

Yeah, two players bailed. And 7 more players are likely to bail.

The lesson isn't "well, they bailed, but we would have been fine if they hadn't".

The lesson is "this is inevitable, don't let it be a death blow".

How do you do that? Build a talent pipeline ready to fill spots as they become available. Prioritize futures over veterans.

Inevitable? No, most of it had to do with the fact Treliving p**sed around and didn’t lock them up when he should’ve.

[BrownDrake]

Truth be known there is more than these players that want to bail. The 3 new guys probably didn't sign on for this but are stuck now, many others that understand speaking up now won't change anything (Markstrom, Coleman etc.), probably fair to say the majority of players want out given the current malaise.


Its all good, players have spoken and hopefully for once management and ownership take the cues and use this an opportunity to build good team and culture so we can be proud of these guys in that beautiful new building.

[flamesgod]

Originally Posted by BrownDrake

Truth be known there is more than these players that want to bail. The 3 new guys probably didn't sign on for this but are stuck now, many others that understand speaking up now won't change anything (Markstrom, Coleman etc.), probably fair to say the majority of players want out given the current malaise.


Its all good, players have spoken and hopefully for once management and ownership take the cues and use this an opportunity to build good team and culture so we can be proud of these guys in that beautiful new building.

Thing is, this is false. If they were bailing, they wouldn’t be asking the Flames for contracts with term. Conroy is just being a good GM, understanding the situation.

[Hockey_Ninja]

Twitter rumor guy with a new tweet

https://twitter.com/user/status/1673343393433362434

In the replies he said the non-UFA is Vladar