[Rumour] Lebrun: Flames prepared to have Hanifin at training camp with low trade offers so Far

[Paulie Walnuts]

Originally Posted by dustygoon

Loosely related to Hanifin to Florida. On the Cam and Strick podcast, when they were talking about where Barbashev was going to sign (before he signed in LV), Andy Strickland segued into a story about a GM that recently screwed him.

My summary of the sophomoric and somewhat salacious story (46th minute of July 10th episode):

It involved a tweet Andy sent out about a UFA's potential landing spot. This unnamed GM reached out via text in connection with that tweet and strangely backstabbed the player's agent (called the agent a greaseball, liar etc).

Strickland ignored it, but then shortly after, he gets a call from that agent reaming him out. Apparently the GM (stirring stuff up?) had called the agent for some strange reason saying "Strickland told me everything you said" implying Strickland was backstabbing. Strickland says he never talked to the agent before the tweet, but at the draft he and the agent mended fences. Strickland also talked to "a number of hockey people" about the GM...the consensus was "be careful of that guy"!

It lines up at least in my mind that Strickland was talking about Barbashev whose agent is Dan Milstein. And the GM in my estimation is probably Bill Zito (tweet was about Barbashev going to florida which had money and interest). Zito was maybe throwing a reporter under the bus for some unknown gain.

Just interesting that a GM would do this (i think it is Zito in this case). You lose the trust of people including a well known reporter and an agent that reps almost every russian player. I'm sure GM's play games with insiders and outright lie to get an edge. But not many would make up stories with personal insults VIA TEXT that damage reputations and burn bridges like this. Lou wouldn't, I can't see Treliving doing it, etc.

Anyway, i thought it might be interesting to mull over as we wait and wonder if Hanifin goes to Florida. Conroy seems like a trusting fellow.

https://twitter.com/user/status/1671919248459849729

He has a Feasterish vibe to him.

[The Yen Man]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

Rebuilding teams still need the bulk of their roster to be veterans. Fan scenarios of running with a roster half made up of 1st and 2nd year players are fantasy.

Nashville sold off a bunch of assets and replaced them with veterans who they feel will foster a better culture for prospects and young players to grow in. Having a two-way Cup-winning O’Reilly playing tough minutes is far better than throwing Cody Glass to the wolves. Trotz knows he has a non-playoff team.

Plus, those are free assets, and none of them are signed to crazy long deals. You surround your young guys with vets for a couple years, then you trade the vets for more assets later as your young guys mature. I think it was actually pretty shrewd signings from Trotz.

[Iggy Snipe]

There is no doubt that Hanifin is on the move, and likely before training camp. There is no point in risking an injury on such a massive asset.

[8sPOT]

There’s also no point moving him if the return isn’t good enough.

I think he starts the season with the Flames, and that’s fine.

[Harry Lime]

The most obvious team is Dallas, even now after UFA time.

They moved Miller for nothing, and would like to move Suter. They don't have anyone other than Heiskanen that can move the puck, and Harley is still an NHL infant.

I think that nothing has happened because Conroy won't budge from his demands, and that's a good thing. My guess based on nothing is that for Hanifin, Conroy wants Stankoven and a 1st, and Nill is coming back with Bourque and a 1st, either way having to take Suter. I think that Nill eventually blinks.

[Macho0978]

Originally Posted by Harry Lime

The most obvious team is Dallas, even now after UFA time.

They moved Miller for nothing, and would like to move Suter. They don't have anyone other than Heiskanen that can move the puck, and Harley is still an NHL infant.

I think that nothing has happened because Conroy won't budge from his demands, and that's a good thing. My guess based on nothing is that for Hanifin, Conroy wants Stankoven and a 1st, and Nill is coming back with Bourque and a 1st, either way having to take Suter. I think that Nill eventually blinks.

If Stankoven is in play why hold out for a first? He should just do it with Suter coming back. Based on trades so far I don’t see the return being that good.

[Harry Lime]

Originally Posted by Macho0978

If Stankoven is in play why hold out for a first? He should just do it with Suter coming back. Based on trades so far I don’t see the return being that good.

Dallas has to move Suter in a trade, and there is negative value there. He is a coach favorite, in a Lucic on the top line way, and the GM knows that it's a tough play to upgrade. Neither Stankoven or Bourque have seen the inside of an NHL rink, so you have to hedge your bets. Just a series of wild guesses on my part.

[flambers]

Originally Posted by 8sPOT

There’s also no point moving him if the return isn’t good enough.

I think he starts the season with the Flames, and that’s fine.

My guess, he is moved this summer.

Just not a great idea starting the season with so many players that are not going to resign.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by 8sPOT

There’s also no point moving him if the return isn’t good enough.

I think he starts the season with the Flames, and that’s fine.

It sounds like the Flames may be best off waiting for a contending team to suffer a major injury during the season or the trade deadline. Teams made out very well this recent deadline and I would hope that things should be similar next season. Of course if the Flames are in the playoff race it will make things more difficult but I sense that Conroy understands the steep repercussions of losing the assets for nothing and won't blink here. The remaining balance of both Lindholm and Hanafin's contract will be very affordable at the deadline which removes an obstacle for teams up against the cap.

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

It sounds like the Flames may be best off waiting for a contending team to suffer a major injury during the season or the trade deadline. Teams made out very well this recent deadline and I would hope that things should be similar next season. Of course if the Flames are in the playoff race it will make things more difficult but I sense that Conroy understands the steep repercussions of losing the assets for nothing and won't blink here.

I would hope Conroy would be allowed to sell hanifin at deadline for futures , but I’m not convinced. I don’t think the mandate of making playoffs will change . Also as someone else pointed out , they can’t have this hanging over them in training camp. They don’t need the distraction. At least lindholm and backlund give the optics they might re-sign. Hanifin has told flames he won’t be re-signing and will be going to USA come July 1st.

[Enoch Root]

I agree that, of the 3, Hanifin likely goes first, and is the most likely to be moved before the season starts.

It's quiet now, and teams are focused on free agency, but once that plays out and training camp starts to loom in the headlights, that's when GMs start to get more serious about fixing needs in their roster.

After that, injuries become the driver.

[Macho0978]

Originally Posted by Harry Lime

Dallas has to move Suter in a trade, and there is negative value there. He is a coach favorite, in a Lucic on the top line way, and the GM knows that it's a tough play to upgrade. Neither Stankoven or Bourque have seen the inside of an NHL rink, so you have to hedge your bets. Just a series of wild guesses on my part.

Suter has a NMC so I just don't see it happening. They need to add d and Suter is ok on the 3rd pairing.

I could see them moving Faksa as the salary going back and keeping Stankoven.

Based on every trade this summer, we aren't geting Stankoven and a 1st for Hanifin.

[Toonage]

All this talk about waiting for the right deal but its likely that when he is moved a bunch of us will ask 'that was the deal they were waiting for??"

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Toonage

All this talk about waiting for the right deal but its likely that when he is moved a bunch of us will ask 'that was the deal they were waiting for??"

Some will say he should have gotten more. Others will say he was offered more and turned it down (my personal favourite!)

[Toonage]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Some will say he should have gotten more. Others will say he was offered more and turned it down (my personal favourite!)

Yep, with strange sudden insider knowledge like "the Flames could have had the 6OA at the draft!"

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Toonage

All this talk about waiting for the right deal but its likely that when he is moved a bunch of us will ask 'that was the deal they were waiting for??"

Possibly as I get the feeling they are looking for roster players and if that's the case then it would not be surprising to see more Sharangovich level players brought in. My problem with that is that the Flames have an abundance of middle six type of forwards on the roster as well as in the prospect base with Zary, Pelletier, etc and are in dire need of young talent that has 1st line potential. Coronato right now looks like the only forward in the system that has a high ceiling.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Possibly as I get the feeling they are looking for roster players and if that's the case then it would not be surprising to see more Sharangovich level players brought in. My problem with that is that the Flames have an abundance of middle six type of forwards on the roster as well as in the prospect base with Zary, Pelletier, etc and are in dire need of young talent that has 1st line potential. Coronato right now looks like the only forward in the system that has a high ceiling.

So the bloom is off the recent first round pick that quickly?!

[Flames1217]

The first few deals a GM makes will follow him the rest of his career. Standing pat and not accepting garbage back for our players is good for the entire organization going forward.

You have to set a standard, a team will eventually get desperate and be ready to pay the full price. Until then you wait it out.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Bingo

So the bloom is off the recent first round pick that quickly?!

There was never a bloom for me as I'm pretty cautious when it comes to overrating draft picks that aren't top 5 talent. I think Morin is the higher upside guy from the latest draft. I read too many daft reports on Honzig that say he has a lot of NHL measurables but lacks an elite toolset. Now that doesn't mean he won't develop into that but until that happens he projects as very good 2nd/3rd line center which goes back to my argument of the Flames having an abundance of middle six talents.

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by Flames1217

The first few deals a GM makes will follow him the rest of his career. Standing pat and not accepting garbage back for our players is good for the entire organization going forward.

You have to set a standard, a team will eventually get desperate and be ready to pay the full price. Until then you wait it out.

In this situation, there’s no reason to believe the other team(s) will be more desperate than the Flames.

Want to improve their D depth.

VS

Don’t want to lose a top asset for nothing.