Each of the four players who ‘want out’ has a different reason.
Hanifin wants to go back to the U.S. So this is the only one that clearly has anything to do with the franchise or city.
Lindholm is sour about being underpaid on his last contract and is playing hardball. The expected bump in the cap next off-season makes an extension difficult to negotiate for a lot of pending UFAs.
Backlund wants term and the Flames, who already have a 33 year old C signed to term and are negotiating with another that would pay him big into his mid-30s, are understandably reluctant to give it to him.
Same thing with Toffoli. He wants term, and if he can’t get it from the Flames he’ll take his chances as a UFA.
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Originally Posted by fotze
If this day gets you riled up, you obviously aren't numb to the disappointment yet to be a real fan.
Man, some people here are going to lose it if Conroy doesn’t pick up an extra 2023 first rounder.
It wouldn’t be ideal but it’s a deep draft year and I can’t blame teams for not wanting to give up their 2023 1st . I’m sure Conny will get a decent return for any of these guys even if the trades aren’t what most of us want
I was just listening to Flamestalk from last thurs/Fri when Seravelli was on and they talk about the fact that all these guys will be in contract years, and ideally playing like they want one last big payday.
Now coupled with rumors we're getting low-ball offers, may not be a terrible idea to let them some of them have that contract season with us, before flipping them at the trade deadline. Obviously the risk would be injury, or that they have a crappy season, but can't control it all.
With that said though, I think this would only work with more supplementary players and I'm of the mind that Lindholm and Hanifin need to be dealt prior to the season if they're not staying. They would play too integral of a role on the team so that unless we're terrible (unlikely), it'd be hard to justify trading these guys at the deadline with the team right around the mix for playoffs (more likely).
It all still depends on what's out there, but I wouldn't be opposed to:
1. Trading Hanifin and Lindholm now
2. Aim to trade Toffoli, but be open to keeping him around until TDL
3. Even moreso be open to keeping Backlund until TDL
4. Trade Vladar now
Depending on the tiers of players invoked, early second = late first in all but optics. But Conroy can’t accept more than what he’s been offered so far anyway.
Conroy couldn't have been put in a tougher spot to start his tenure as GM. If you compare it to when Tre started here for example.......and the situations were not exactly the same, not trying to say that, but when Tre started, the previous GM had already bungled the "big" moves of the team essentially turning over (Feaster handled those).
While that sucked for the franchise that those moves weren't handled well, Tre was left with what he was left with to start, he missed out on the pressure of handling the moves with players wanting out, and the sharks circling to take advantage of our situation.
This time around, I'd say the moves have the potential for even higher stakes for Conny, the issues are more public, there are more of them, and he's brand new. Literally can't think of a tougher spot to be in. He's going to need patience, and we are going to need patience with him and this situation as well.
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If it weren't for Kadri's contract, I'd be all for re-signing Lindholm. Having big money locked up in both guys, who are (or will be) on the wrong side of 30 is my issue
this feeling is understandable, but it's also frustrating to be in this situation. Giving up a 1st to sign Kadri to that deal ... sigh.
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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.
it's not just that, it's also that fans are absolutely enamored with draft picks. And I get it, I am too ... but sometimes it also reminds me of this:
Figured this would be the case and make Conroy pump the breaks. I don't expect Conroy is going to rush into any deals recognizing his first deal will be the one that sets the tone for his tenure as GM. I suspect he'll make a significant signing before making a trade of any of the players wanting out. Set the tone with a positive directly within his control and not allowing another GM to apply pressure.
this feeling is understandable, but it's also frustrating to be in this situation. Giving up a 1st to sign Kadri to that deal ... sigh.
it's not just that, it's also that fans are absolutely enamored with draft picks. And I get it, I am too ... but sometimes it also reminds me of this:
3 years of cost controlled entry level contracts.
Young kids coming in are better than predecessors.
Young kids want to play anywhere in the NHL, and will work hard for it.
Lots of good reasons to stop doing the Flames' square peg in round hole strategy that they've tried and failed at for the last 30 years and try something new for a change. In fact, seems incredibly obvious but here we are.
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