Friedman's 32 thoughts Nov 8 - Flames update

[sureLoss]

https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article...ons-next-move/

1. If you’re a regular reader of this blog (my condolences), you know I keep a Nov. 1 stat. In 82-game seasons during the salary-cap era, nine of 66 teams who were four points out of the playoffs after games on that date have reached the postseason. The 2023-24 challengers are Calgary, Edmonton, Pittsburgh and San Jose. Last year’s group went 0-4.

12. Benchings are a big story in the NHL, led by Columbus — where Pascal Vincent clearly has the backing of management to end what the organization considered a country club. Calgary coach Ryan Huska followed by sitting Jonathan Huberdeau for the final 20 minutes of the Flames’ win over Nashville. The winger knows the onus is on him, admitting, “You’ve got to look in the mirror, I gotta be a better player.” But, as the Flames peruse the trade market (and they’ve begun seeing what’s out there), they will target individuals who they believe are a fit with Huberdeau.

15. Kinda suspect the Sharks called Calgary about Noah Hanifin. Don’t see that as a fit. Another team I wonder about is Arizona. Coyotes have the second-best goal differential in the Central, and a desire to push for the playoffs. As this situation plays out, I am curious to see if an extension becomes part of the conversation. It benefits Hanifin, and benefits the Flames in any return.

[TheScorpion]

Mentioned this in the Trade Rumours thread -- AZ is an interesting potential destination for them. I can't see them moving a 1st, but I do wonder about Guenther. I do think CGY would win any trade involving a Guenther/Hanifin swap.

[Sandman]

If we were dealing with San Jose (I have no idea why a team in their position would target Hanifin), I would pray to get C Filip Bystedt. I loved him in his draft year (2022), and couldn't figure out why he wasn't getting any first-round projections leading up to the draft. Well, SJ picked him 27th overall, and he's one of their top prospects. He's a 6'3"C, currently playing in the SHL.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Can't see Arizona trading Guenther. He's a big part of their future.
More than likely they would move a lesser prospect (Lameroux, Duda) and picks.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

Can't see Arizona trading Guenther. He's a big part of their future.
More than likely they would move a lesser prospect (Lameroux, Duda) and picks.

Isn't Conny looking for top prospects that can play or close to keep with the win-now mission statement? I get the feeling it it was just all about draft picks that a player or two may have already been moved. I just don't see lesser prospects fitting in with what the Flames are looking for.

[gvitaly]

I would think that SJS are just trying to get assets for Duclair. Potentially get Hanifin for a package of Duclair++ and then flip Hanifin for more assets. If Conroy is desperate to get Huberdeau going he might just go for it.

Personally I think we might see a Dube for Duclair trade in the near future.

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

Can't see Arizona trading Guenther. He's a big part of their future.
More than likely they would move a lesser prospect (Lameroux, Duda) and picks.

If the Flames could get Guenther, 1 for 1 would make me plenty happy. I'd even toss in Dube for them!

[gvitaly]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

Mentioned this in the Trade Rumours thread -- AZ is an interesting potential destination for them. I can't see them moving a 1st, but I do wonder about Guenther. I do think CGY would win any trade involving a Guenther/Hanifin swap.

Arizona has a lot of 2nd round picks in the next 3 years. I think that's likely what they're trading.

Valimaki + 2x2nds.

[Bonded]

Originally Posted by gvitaly

Arizona has a lot of 2nd round picks in the next 3 years. I think that's likely what they're trading.

Valimaki + 2x2nds.

No thanks. Hanifin should get get a 1 + 2nds coming back. Valimaki isn't worth a 1st

[Yeah_Baby]

If we're going to trade for Duclair might as well see if Zito will give us Bennett back too.

[PaperBagger'14]

Originally Posted by Yeah_Baby

If we're going to trade for Duclair might as well see if Zito will give us Bennett back too.

I thought Duclair was in SJ this year, hard to keep track

[FBI]

How is Valimaki doing this year anyway?

[Ashes]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

Mentioned this in the Trade Rumours thread -- AZ is an interesting potential destination for them. I can't see them moving a 1st, but I do wonder about Guenther. I do think CGY would win any trade involving a Guenther/Hanifin swap.

Didn't Arizona pick like 3 times in the 1st round last year? And they've been in the basement for years. I don't follow Arizona at all but I'm just curious why you're getting the impression they wouldn't move the first if their sights are set on the playoffs this season?

[gvitaly]

Originally Posted by Bonded

No thanks. Hanifin should get get a 1 + 2nds coming back. Valimaki isn't worth a 1st

I agree that he should. However, I'm guessing that no one is offering that just yet, or we'd have a trade done. I also think that Valimaki is quite a bit better in Arizona than the version we saw here, and he's still an RFA.

I also thought that Toffoli would get us back a 1st in the 23 draft, but that wasn't the case.

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by Sandman

If we were dealing with San Jose (I have no idea why a team in their position would target Hanifin)

I dunno, I mean if they want Hanifin then I would imagine they'd want him with an extension and he's still pretty young so you could look at it as acquiring the type of player they'd want who's available now instead of waiting for a few years when that kind of player might not be available... now this Sharks team is historically bad so it seems like a poor investment to me personally since getting a guy like Hanifin strikes me as a move you make when you're on the upswing after bottoming out not mid-bottom out.

I halfway wonder if this is just something along the lines of "The Flames might want Duclair and Hanifin for Duclair was floated by Florida so..." Which would be a hella bad move by the Flames. I actually wouldn't mind Duclair... I wouldn't move Hanifin to do it thou (I'd do something like Dube thou).

Edit: I swear I didn't see this post before I clicked submit!

Originally Posted by gvitaly

I would think that SJS are just trying to get assets for Duclair. Potentially get Hanifin for a package of Duclair++ and then flip Hanifin for more assets. If Conroy is desperate to get Huberdeau going he might just go for it.

Personally I think we might see a Dube for Duclair trade in the near future.

[Yeah_Baby]

Originally Posted by PaperBagger'14

I thought Duclair was in SJ this year, hard to keep track

oh he is, I just meant we get SB back from FLA too lmao

[Winsor_Pilates]

Getting players to play with Huberdeau scares me.
It feels like trying the bandaid the problem when the problem itself is Huberdeau.

The right linemates can help crack the code but if they trade assets for a mediocre player and it doesn't work, that's a big risk.
It really depends what the cost of trying this fix is.

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article...ons-next-move/

Beware the GD in small sample sizes. Take out the Phoenix 8-1 0ver Chicago, they have a - GD.

And there schedule has been pretty weak was well.

[Paulie Walnuts]

What is San Jose going to do with Hanifin?

[Bonded]

Originally Posted by gvitaly

I also thought that Toffoli would get us back a 1st in the 23 draft, but that wasn't the case.

The players traded at the 23 deadline got 23 1sts. No reason this one will be any different and it is nowhere near as hyped.