[Rumour] LeBrun: Flames, Devils reignite Markstrom trade talks (again); other teams interested

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Perhaps GM-ing isn't the easiest job in the world, given how some see a situation like this.

Getting too attached to a player that's ultimately a high end role player and treating him as a core piece when he isn't is how bad decisions end up being made.

It's not just that though. It's timing too. The Flames are far out right now, and a lot has to come together to even start that progression to competing. Pospisil needs to be the max of whatever his ceiling is in like 5-6 years to matter at all to the outcome of this rebuild. Based on how he plays (hard and on the edge), he won't be. Or at least it's unlikely.

Like others said, he would be awesome to a team near completion. The perfect piece to add to a acompetitive team that needs those qualities, but that's not the situation here. He's just helping a team that is collecting futures be slightly less bad. It's a waste.

But NJ will see the value in a guy like him, and how useful he would be to their team with a strong core in place.

A top ten pick is more valuable to today's Flames and its timeline than Pospisil is. It doesn't make him not good. It makes the two parties not an ideal fit for each other.

The ultimate goal holds precedence over clinging on to guys like Pospisil just because he's good just to have some watchable players now, while you continue to lack real core pieces that a player like him can be leveraged into.

One must see the forest from the trees if we're ever going to get where we want to go.

[Flames Fan, Ph.D.]

A bit too condescending.

I didn’t know you were the only one seeing the forest. I guess I’m clinging to a tree.

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Originally Posted by Flames Fan, Ph.D.

A bit too condescending.

I didn’t know you were the only one seeing the forest. I guess I’m clinging to a tree.

Condescension wasn't the intent. Attempting to sum up and explain what two or three other posters were getting at was.

Plenty here are seeing the forest.

You're obviously not getting the message, and are instead fixating on an imaginary personal attack and responding with hyperbole.

How about sticking to the hockey aspects of this discussion.

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

Pospisil can't be a dealbreaker. He's likeable, effective, and unique, but he's not really a core piece.

Did you see his play at the Worlds?

Sometimes you need to consider being informed by what a player achieves outside of the opportunity you provide them

Did Calgary ever see Sam Bennett as a 2 C?

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by TrentCrimmIndependent

NJ will see the value in a guy like him, and how useful he would be to their team with a strong core in place.

True enough, but I think he would have even more value to an established contender looking for a good, cheap bottom-six forward to help keep their window open. He's only 24, under contract for two years at $1 million per, and will still be an RFA after that.

I'd try moving him to a top team that hasn't got the cap room to keep everyone. Colorado, for instance.

[gvitaly]

I think that some people here are overvaluing the 10th overall pick when they want to throw Pospisil in.

Here are the 10th overall picks from 2020-2000:
FP(5%):

Rantanen(2015)

P1/L1(20%):

Bouchard(2018), Tippett(2017), Nichushkin(2013), Brodin(2011)

P2/L2(10%):

Perfetti(2020), Frolik(2006)

P3/L3-4(35%):

Podkolzin(2019), Jost(2016), Ritchie(2014), Paajarvi(2009), Hodgson(2008), Kostitsyn(2003), Nystrom(2002)

RL(30%):

Koekkoek(2012), Mcllrath(2010), Ellerby(2007), Bourdon(2005),Valabik(2004), Backburn(2001)

Which means that the Flames would have a 65% chance to draft a player that's significantly worse than either Markstrom or Pospisil. You can even argue that I have Frolik, Brodin, and Tippett too high. That said there's a 1/4 chance to get a core player.

I would obviously be happy with the 10th overall pick as the return in a Markstrom trade, but the expectations from that pick here are extremely high. Nystrom was 10th, Baertschi was 13th, so was Coronato. IMO Pospisil is better than either of the 3 were/are.

[jg13]

I love Pospisil but selling high on him after this season and performance at the worlds would be great move if the price is right given his injury history imo. Also opens another spot for both Coronato and Pelletier to play full time on the big club this season when i'm pretty sure Pelletier cannot be sent down next year without clearing waivers.

[Snuffleupagus]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

Pospisil can't be a dealbreaker. He's likeable, effective, and unique, but he's not really a core piece.

If Jersey wants Pospisil with Markstrom Mercer needs to come back

To Jersey:
Markstrom($1m retained), Pospisil and 28th pick

To Calgary:
Mercer and 10th pick

[gvitaly]

Originally Posted by jg13

I love Pospisil but selling high on him after this season and performance at the worlds would be great move if the price is right given his injury history imo. Also opens another spot for both Coronato and Pelletier to play full time on the big club this season when i'm pretty sure Pelletier cannot be sent down next year without clearing waivers.

Who else on the Flames brings what he does? We've been missing that element since Tkachuk left.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by Toonage

Pierre says the Devils also want some grit. Pospisil move the needle any?

Of all the prospects in the Flames system, Pospisil is the one I would least like to move. He just had an amazing World Championships. He finally broke into the league and not only found a spot, but his underlying numbers are surprisingly good for a guy that doesn't put up a lot of points. He's one of those guys that is a difference maker for a team, and seems like he's just about to pop.

Maybe I'm wrong, and maybe he'll have another concussion and his career will be cut short, but the Flames invested time and resources into him, and I get the feeling that the investment is about to pay off.

[cam_calderon]

For such a young guy his concussion history is extremely concerning. I'm on board with trading him before he has zero value.

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by gvitaly

I think that some people here are overvaluing the 10th overall pick when they want to throw Pospisil in.

Here are the 10th overall picks from 2020-2000:
FP(5%):

Rantanen(2015)

P1/L1(20%):

Bouchard(2018), Tippett(2017), Nichushkin(2013), Brodin(2011)

P2/L2(10%):

Perfetti(2020), Frolik(2006)

P3/L3-4(35%):

Podkolzin(2019), Jost(2016), Ritchie(2014), Paajarvi(2009), Hodgson(2008), Kostitsyn(2003), Nystrom(2002)

RL(30%):

Koekkoek(2012), Mcllrath(2010), Ellerby(2007), Bourdon(2005),Valabik(2004), Backburn(2001)

Which means that the Flames would have a 65% chance to draft a player that's significantly worse than either Markstrom or Pospisil. You can even argue that I have Frolik, Brodin, and Tippett too high. That said there's a 1/4 chance to get a core player.

I would obviously be happy with the 10th overall pick as the return in a Markstrom trade, but the expectations from that pick here are extremely high. Nystrom was 10th, Baertschi was 13th, so was Coronato. IMO Pospisil is better than either of the 3 were/are.

What you say is true, but 65% is better than zero.

Wait until Marky leaves brings you zero.

Calgary needs as many lottery tickets it can get.

Hanging on to these guys brings you zero chance to hit the lottery.

[Aarongavey]

Originally Posted by Flames Fan, Ph.D.

Relatively controlled young asset showing promise and we want to throw him in for the 10th overall that may or may not pan out.

In the stock market, you let your runners run. Pospisil is just starting to run.

In a deal where we have the leverage and the other GM is under the gun. But it is also in a world where some think a GM gets fired for trading a draft pick and not for missing the playoffs.

[Niemo]

I’d rather trade Coleman than Pospisil easily.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Jay Random

Those aren't the only two options.

If you're worried about Pospisil's durability, you can shop him around the league and try to trade him individually, either for futures or in a hockey trade. A guy who plays like that, especially at his salary, can be worth a lot to the right contender. I don't think the Devils are the team that would value him most.

Using him as a throw-in to get a pick that you could acquire with other assets is wasteful.

I think “throw in” is the problem. I think that any trade involving Pospisil would assign him value.

[Bonded]

Originally Posted by DeluxeMoustache

Did you see his play at the Worlds?

Sometimes you need to consider being informed by what a player achieves outside of the opportunity you provide them

Did Calgary ever see Sam Bennett as a 2 C?

And he got injured again. I think he ends going the way of Baertschi and Ferland.

[Scroopy Noopers]

Originally Posted by Bonded

And he got injured again. I think he ends going the way of Baertschi and Ferland.

One of these things is not like the others! One of these guys was entitled.

Ferland and Pospisil are warriors.

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by Jay Random

Those aren't the only two options.

If you're worried about Pospisil's durability, you can shop him around the league and try to trade him individually, either for futures or in a hockey trade. A guy who plays like that, especially at his salary, can be worth a lot to the right contender. I don't think the Devils are the team that would value him most.

Using him as a throw-in to get a pick that you could acquire with other assets is wasteful.

I’m not saying the Flames should trade Pospisil, but why are we assuming the Flames can get #10 OA with other assets? Because I don’t see Markstrom cutting it.

And Pospisil is a great fit for the Devil’s needs. They need someone to play a checking role in the 3rd line who can play with skilled guys like Mercer and Palat. They need to replace Macleod. They want to get tougher to play against. They put a premium in team speed. And Fitzgerald has said he’s looking for guys in the 23-25 age range. Pospisil checks almost every box - and he checks all of them if he can play C.

[Hackey]

Originally Posted by Snuffleupagus

If Jersey wants Pospisil with Markstrom Mercer needs to come back

To Jersey:
Markstrom($1m retained), Pospisil and 28th pick

To Calgary:
Mercer and 10th pick

This would get declined in NHL25 even.

[Fighting Banana Slug]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

I’m not saying the Flames should trade Pospisil, but why are we assuming the Flames can get #10 OA with other assets? Because I don’t see Markstrom cutting it.

And Pospisil is a great fit for the Devil’s needs. They need someone to play a checking role in the 3rd line who can play with skilled guys like Mercer and Palat. They need to replace Macleod. They want to get tougher to play against. They put a premium in team speed. And Fitzgerald has said he’s looking for guys in the 23-25 age range. Pospisil checks almost every box - and he checks all of them if he can play C.

The Fitzegerald quote could easily be attributed to Conroy as well. I think the Flames would love to keep him for the same reasons.

He has value, so the return needs to be there.