2024 Off-season trade rumours and speculation thread

[Major Major]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Thing is he doesn't really blow. His production decline this past season was largely on-ice shooting percentage driven.

21-22: 16.4%
22-23: 12.2%
23-24: 9.01%

Let's look at his 5v5 stats for his 3 years in Carolina:

59.5% Corsi For
56.7% xGF
54.1% GF
7.7% Shooting Percentage
.913 Save Percentage
0.990 PDO

1.75 Points Per 60 (7th)
0.77 Goals Per 60 (5th)
0.98 Assists Per 60 (11th)
12.1% Shooting Percentage

That's better than Bennett was his last three years in Calgary, and he was also 24 the season he was traded:

51.9% Corsi For
51.9% XGF
44.4% GF
7.2% on-ice shooting
.909 Save Percentage
.981 PDO

1.43 Points Per 60
0.68 Goals Per 60
0.75 Assists Per 60
9.1% Shooting Percentage

Similar to Bennett in that poor on-ice shooting and save percentage seemed to be limiting his overall production to that point. The one big difference is that Kotkaniemi's own shooting percentage is quite good, even though his on-ice still remains low, meaning it might be more an issue with his teammates finishing.

He's only 24 and locked up for $4.8M x 4 years...honestly I have no issue with that contract at all for where this team is the next 4 years and even if he doesn't improve and he tops out as a 40 point guy it's fine.

People seem so willing to give up a 2nd and $4M AAV to offersheet somebody like Dylan Holloway...who is less proven and only a year younger and doesn't even play center.

When the Hurricanes were rumoured to be heavily shopping him before the draft and free agency they should have been all over it.

The Bennett comps only go so far. If he were signed to an additional 6 years at 4.8, he would have been untradable. Plus he brought it in the playoffs whereas kotkaniemi shrinks.

Bennett was intriguing as hell as a deadline guy on an expiring deal and therefore had value. KK would be overpaid even if we ignore his last year, which you might consider a down year until you start looking for his good years, and they don't exist.

At 6 years, it is a risk. Our 2026 picks may be on their second contracts by then. You just can't give that space up for nothing if you're Conroy. Carolina felt they needed to overpay him which was a compounding mistake. He's like their own micro version of Huberdeau. Why would we ever simply let them off the hook?

[Yeah_Baby]

Whenever I see 'KK' I still think Ken King, so this thread has been confusing.

[Vinny01]

With Francis mentioning the new building is not slated to open until 27/28 that gives the Flames 3 more drafts and 3 more full seasons to turn this thing around. This team doesn’t have to be a cup contender when the new rink opens but playoff dates in year 1 would be nice. They are set up with 2x 1st in the next 2 drafts with a couple of more vets to sell off. I think this team is pretty much tank mode this year and then we see some aggressive moves in the 2026 summer and even more aggressive moves in the summer of 2027 to build hope and hype this team is ready to take big steps in the new barn

[All In Good Time]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

With Francis mentioning the new building is not slated to open until 27/28 that gives the Flames 3 more drafts and 3 more full seasons to turn this thing around. This team doesn’t have to be a cup contender when the new rink opens but playoff dates in year 1 would be nice. They are set up with 2x 1st in the next 2 drafts with a couple of more vets to sell off. I think this team is pretty much tank mode this year and then we see some aggressive moves in the 2026 summer and even more aggressive moves in the summer of 2027 to build hope and hype this team is ready to take big steps in the new barn

I still think that playoff dates in the first year of the new building would be a miracle.
Reasonably hoping for some before year 5

[ResAlien]

Originally Posted by Yeah_Baby

Whenever I see 'KK' I still think Ken King, so this thread has been confusing.

I don’t but I have to go back and see which reclamation project is meant be it Kappo Kakko or Kotkaniemi. Maybe one of them should be KKK? Wait no

[YyjFlames]

Originally Posted by paulie walnuts

why?

2k

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by All In Good Time

I still think that playoff dates in the first year of the new building would be a miracle.
Reasonably hoping for some before year 5

They will need to land a 1st overall in one of the next 2 drafts and likely another top 5 pick in the other. Being able to pull off a best line they did for Dougie Hamilton would help accelerate things and lastly maybe Cale Makar coming home would push this team into a playoff spot?

[All In Good Time]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

They will need to land a 1st overall in one of the next 2 drafts and likely another top 5 pick in the other. Being able to pull off a best line they did for Dougie Hamilton would help accelerate things and lastly maybe Cale Makar coming home would push this team into a playoff spot?

yep
miracle

[YyjFlames]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

They will need to land a 1st overall in one of the next 2 drafts and likely another top 5 pick in the other. Being able to pull off a best line they did for Dougie Hamilton would help accelerate things and lastly maybe Cale Makar coming home would push this team into a playoff spot?

Unless they trade guys like Kadri, Weeger and Andersson etc, there is still a pretty decent core of vets on this team and a couple of prospects that could take significant steps over the next two years.

They won't be very good this coming season, but if Wolf puts up above average numbers and the defense core solidifies, being back into the playoffs in year three wouldn't be too much of a surprise.

[Redlan]

My expectation is that they are challenging for a playoff spot in 4 seasons which would be the first season in the new building. Cup contender by 6 years.

[Funkhouser]

Originally Posted by Redlan

My expectation is that they are challenging for a playoff spot in 4 seasons which would be the first season in the new building. Cup contender by 6 years.

You will be disappointed

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by Major Major

The Bennett comps only go so far. If he were signed to an additional 6 years at 4.8, he would have been untradable. Plus he brought it in the playoffs whereas kotkaniemi shrinks.

Bennett was intriguing as hell as a deadline guy on an expiring deal and therefore had value. KK would be overpaid even if we ignore his last year, which you might consider a down year until you start looking for his good years, and they don't exist.

At 6 years, it is a risk. Our 2026 picks may be on their second contracts by then. You just can't give that space up for nothing if you're Conroy. Carolina felt they needed to overpay him which was a compounding mistake. He's like their own micro version of Huberdeau. Why would we ever simply let them off the hook?

Thing is I don't think it's a huge risk.

He had a career high 43 points last year...for $4.8M that's reasonable.

Anton Lundell has a career high of 44 points, he had 35 in 78 games last year and he just signed for 6 x $5M.

If he can put up 35-45 points and average around 40 then he's fair value for $4.8M with a rising cap.

Even if it's a risk in 3-4 years when the Flames prospects start needing contracts then he's probably easy to move with 2-3 years at $4.8M left.

[traptor]

This team won't be a true contender until our new core star players are in their mid 20s. So were probably looked around 7 years out and thats if we hit on some of these kids.


People use dallas as a model of young guys backed by vets. Heskeinan is 25, robertson 24, oettinger 25 and hintz is 27 already.

It takes some time to develop.

[keenan87]

Originally Posted by traptor

This team won't be a true contender until our new core star players are in their mid 20s. So were probably looked around 7 years out and thats if we hit on some of these kids.


People use dallas as a model of young guys backed by vets. Heskeinan is 25, robertson 24, oettinger 25 and hintz is 27 already.

It takes some time to develop.

You realize Dallas has been a really solid team for like 4 years now. Those guys you named above have been a part of the core during that time.

How old were Robertson and Heiskanen when they played the Flames a few seasons ago?

Robertson had 79 points as a 22 year old
Oettinger was 22 and almost stole a series
Heiskanen was also 22 and had 35 points. The following season he had 70+

Heck, those guys are still not even in their mid 20s and Dallas has been a consistent contender.

I think there is plenty of reason to think core players in their early twenties can start to make significant impact. Look at when Chicago won their cups and LA.. and even Pittsburgh early on. How old were all those core players when their teams became serious contenders..

[topfiverecords]

Originally Posted by Sec214

[memphusk]

Originally Posted by topfiverecords

It could even be a boat.

[IamNotKenKing]

Originally Posted by Yeah_Baby

Whenever I see 'KK' I still think Ken King, so this thread has been confusing.

It’s funny, I was thinking the same thing.

[Aarongavey]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

I don’t mind KK, I just hate the term. Would prefer 1-2 year cap dumps. Willing to take on KK at a price.

The Flames are going to be bad for the first 3 years of the remaining 6 years of his contract. If KK hits and figures it out it is a great contract. If he remains 30-40 point defensive center on the back end of his contract he will take up 5% or less of the cap, which is not a huge percentage overpay of the cap for that production. If he hits and becomes even a 50-70 point second line center it is a great deal.

[traptor]

Originally Posted by keenan87

You realize Dallas has been a really solid team for like 4 years now. Those guys you named above have been a part of the core during that time.

How old were Robertson and Heiskanen when they played the Flames a few seasons ago?

Robertson had 79 points as a 22 year old
Oettinger was 22 and almost stole a series
Heiskanen was also 22 and had 35 points. The following season he had 70+

Heck, those guys are still not even in their mid 20s and Dallas has been a consistent contender.

I think there is plenty of reason to think core players in their early twenties can start to make significant impact. Look at when Chicago won their cups and LA.. and even Pittsburgh early on. How old were all those core players when their teams became serious contenders..

You say a solid team, i said a true contender.
Sure, I think they can be a solid team in 3-5 years, battling fir a playoff spot.

And with the others:

La won their 2012 cup in droughtys 4th year and kopitars 7th.

Penguins and blackhawks have multiple 1st ballot hall of famers drafted in the early 1st round where the flames have never picked once.

Sure it's not impossible. Nothing is. The flames could technically win the cup this year.

If the flames draft top 3 in the next two drafts and get McKenna, the timeline looks sooner.

[Sandman]

We're easily going to be a contender with Cale Makar and Zayne Parekh on our blueline.