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Old 01-07-2025, 07:45 PM   #6121
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Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe View Post
I would look at the bottom 10 standings from last year.

San Jose - Chicago - Anaheim - Columbus - Montreal - Arizona - Ottawa - Seattle - Calgary - New Jersey.


If you look at their rosters to start last year, and then look at their rosters to start this year, which of these would you say have gotten worse. I can only point at one for sure, and that's Calgary. Seattle is sort of 'meh', but I don't think they got worse. With the horrible Gaudreau tragedy, one can point at Columbus. All of those teams have injected a lot of youth (or are in the middle of it), and are expected to get better naturally. Some will flounder, that's for sure, but if you are going to just look at rosters year-to-year, I can only point at the Flames for actively getting worse. Now look at Calgary's cap space available.


If this doesn't tell you that Calgary is in a rebuild, then nothing will.
I don't really agree with this part of your post, C4L, because this roster didn't really get much worse, if at all. The only thing we did lose are more household names, but statistically the players that replaced the ones that left are not worse.

For example, Zary effectively "replaced" Lindholm, because Kadri and Backlund are the two constants at center the last 2 years. Is Zary having a worse year this year than Lindholm did last year? I don't think so.

Wolf basically "replaced" Markstrom. Is Wolf worse this year than Markstrom was last year? I don't think so.

A rookie Coronato this season basically "replaced" rookie Zary last year. Was that a downgrade? Not really.

And you can do this down the lineup. Plus add in the improved play of Huberdeau and Andersson, etc, etc.. Again, I think we just lost household names, but we didn't get worse. And honestly, in many instances I think we got better. And the the important thing is, those players that are here will continue to get better.

For example, when Backlund and Coleman eventually regress, they will be easily replaced by an improved Zary and Coronato, etc.. And an improved Zary and Coronato will help us continue being competitive and not tank. And again this can be applied down the lineup. Our team is good enough such that the players that regress and leave can be effectively replaced by the players that take their place without really becoming worse. I believe that about our team and players.

But that leaves the question, are those players good enough so that when we do come out of this "rebuild", are we actually better than we were with Johnny and Tkachuk (and no cup)? I have some doubts about that. Like realistically, best case scenario, a guy like Zary becomes a 70pt two-way player. Is that good enough to pit against the Mackinnons and McDavids and Bedards and Celebrinis? And if not, where are we getting that player? From the draft that we didn't tank enough to get top 5?

This is why I see us being stuck where we are, and continuing to be stuck in this cycle.

So then we are left between a rock and a hard place. Do we hope that guys like Zary and Wolf etc. regress next year so that we can get a realistic shot at McKenna? Or do we cheer on Zary and Wolf to improve and watch us continue to win? Or do we hold on to the delusion of Zary and Wolf continuing to improve while at the same time winning no games so we can get McKenna?

The Backlunds and Colemans and Kadris and Huberdeaus keep us competitive but not elite, and in my opinion, the Zarys and Coronatos and Pelletiers and Wolfs will more or less do the same.
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Old 01-07-2025, 07:53 PM   #6122
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Are you talking start or the or end of the year. The roster is significantly worse. Just our defence alone went from Andersson Hanifin Weegar Tanev in our top for to Andersson/Bahl and Weegar/Hanley. Now you can imagine how bad the 3rc pair is.

Zary/Pospisil played on the roster with Lindholm so I wouldn’t say we replaced him. Kuzmenko flat out sucks.

Replacing the guys who left would have been getting Chandler Stephenson. We did nothing to improve the roster.
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Old 01-07-2025, 08:27 PM   #6123
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I don’t think that was all part of some master plan. SJ brought in Karlsson for a last hurrah, and then they fell off a cliff (they finished 29th in the league in 2019-20). They didn’t move Meier until four years later, when he was still only 25. Couture and Vlasic were unmovable because of contracts, NMCs, and injuries.

The Sharks backed into a rebuild only once they were already terrible for a couple seasons, and then went full tank.
Yeah, like all rebuilds in hockey. Fans have this weird idea that teams plan but it they're always forced into the situation, the only decision is to accept it. Even the fabled Oilers drafted 6th, 13th(traded) and 10th in the previous three drafts before being forced into a rebuild drafting Taylor Hall 1st overall. Even during that draft their owner and management we're claiming they won't be in that position again.

They then drafted 1st overall two more times in a row, then 7th, then 3rd, then 1st again, then 3rd. Teams never decide to rebuild, they're forced into it. Like the Flames are now, like every team before and after them
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Old 01-07-2025, 08:38 PM   #6124
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Which team has come right out well before they were already at the bottom and said “we’re rebuilding!”

The Rangers? That rebuild sucked.

Anyone else?
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Old 01-07-2025, 08:47 PM   #6125
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Next year will be much worse. Backlund, Andersson, Coleman I fully expect to be gone as early as this trade deadline.
Yep
Some bottoming out to do yet
The long period of suckage is just beginning
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Old 01-07-2025, 09:53 PM   #6126
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From Friedman's 32 thoughts:

https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article...nucks-rangers/

6. Believes Miller for Zibanejad that Vancouver rejected was part of a larger deal. Vancouver loves Braden Schneider and wanted him in the deal but Rangers said no.

7. Zac Jones given permission by Rangers to talk to other teams.

8. Trocheck is the most coveted Ranger right now, but Friedman thinks he will be the Rangers' next captain.

11. Pens have forwards, defencemen, and goalies available. Willing to use their cap space to take on contracts as long as they get young players, prospects, and draft picks they want

15. Believes the Red Wings were looking at (maybe still looking at) Cozens

17. Verbeek is asking a lot for Gibson.

22. Toronto's preference for a centre is term. Might not happen though.

Last edited by sureLoss; 01-07-2025 at 09:57 PM.
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Old 01-08-2025, 10:09 AM   #6127
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It takes a crazy amount of luck for it to happen but imagine the flames getting Misa in this draft and then McKenna next year. Both making the team in 2026-2027. Zary, Coronato, Misa and McKenna as the forward core. Add Tij Iginla through trade a couple years later when the flames for once end up on the winning side of the “I only want to sign with one specific team”.
Yeah...That's not happening.

The Flames are likely going a route similar to St. Louis. They'll draft some great top six forwards, but will need to bring in a Ryan O'Reilly type to push them over the edge.

I wouldn't underestimate guys like Zary and Coronato though. They may never be 90+ point elite forwards, but if they can become 60-70 point players with consistent drive and jam, they may be even more valuable. I'd rather have a couple of guys playing like that in the playoffs than a pure skill regular season stat chaser who disappears in the big games.
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Old 01-08-2025, 10:17 AM   #6128
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Originally Posted by sureLoss View Post
From Friedman's 32 thoughts:

https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article...nucks-rangers/

6. Believes Miller for Zibanejad that Vancouver rejected was part of a larger deal. Vancouver loves Braden Schneider and wanted him in the deal but Rangers said no.

7. Zac Jones given permission by Rangers to talk to other teams.

8. Trocheck is the most coveted Ranger right now, but Friedman thinks he will be the Rangers' next captain.

11. Pens have forwards, defencemen, and goalies available. Willing to use their cap space to take on contracts as long as they get young players, prospects, and draft picks they want

15. Believes the Red Wings were looking at (maybe still looking at) Cozens

17. Verbeek is asking a lot for Gibson.

22. Toronto's preference for a centre is term. Might not happen though.
That is Treliving’s standard plan in trades. Rarely wants to pay anything of significance for a rental. In general, he pays 1st round picks+ for guys that have at least another year or two on their contracts (Toffoli and Hamonic for example).
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Old 01-08-2025, 10:37 AM   #6129
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Trade kadri to the Leafs.
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Old 01-08-2025, 10:49 AM   #6130
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Trade kadri to the Leafs.
If they trade Kampf to a third team, then the money works for Domi + 2027 1st (unprotected). I want no part of their prospects, after their best one (Cowan) turned in such a selfish performance at the World's.
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Old 01-08-2025, 11:00 AM   #6131
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Originally Posted by sureLoss View Post
From Friedman's 32 thoughts:

https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article...nucks-rangers/

22. Toronto's preference for a centre is term. Might not happen though.
Don't worry Leafs fans, Tre will be in on everything and kicking the tires but probably won't pull the trigger.
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Old 01-08-2025, 11:05 AM   #6132
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Yeah...That's not happening.

The Flames are likely going a route similar to St. Louis. They'll draft some great top six forwards, but will need to bring in a Ryan O'Reilly type to push them over the edge.

I wouldn't underestimate guys like Zary and Coronato though. They may never be 90+ point elite forwards, but if they can become 60-70 point players with consistent drive and jam, they may be even more valuable. I'd rather have a couple of guys playing like that in the playoffs than a pure skill regular season stat chaser who disappears in the big games.
Yep, Sam Bennett has a career high 49 points but seems to turn it on in the playoffs
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Old 01-08-2025, 11:07 AM   #6133
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Trade kadri to the Leafs.
I don’t think anyone is touching that long term contract without a diminished return coming back. As flames fans we’d hope for a first but it would likely be the equivalent of a fourth for taking the contract long term. If we’re not contending doesn’t make sense to dump him just because. I’d rather hold on and hope he’s maintaining the current state in a year or two than get a better return.
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Old 01-08-2025, 11:37 AM   #6134
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There's interest in Kadri, even at his price tag.
But Kadri really doesn't want to move on, he likes it here and wants to be apart of the solution.
This is the identity that Craig wants to build, not to say he'd never move him.

The last I heard there were more than a handful of teams who've kicked tires on him.
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Old 01-08-2025, 11:41 AM   #6135
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Originally Posted by sureLoss View Post
From Friedman's 32 thoughts:

https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article...nucks-rangers/

6. Believes Miller for Zibanejad that Vancouver rejected was part of a larger deal. Vancouver loves Braden Schneider and wanted him in the deal but Rangers said no.

7. Zac Jones given permission by Rangers to talk to other teams.

8. Trocheck is the most coveted Ranger right now, but Friedman thinks he will be the Rangers' next captain.

11. Pens have forwards, defencemen, and goalies available. Willing to use their cap space to take on contracts as long as they get young players, prospects, and draft picks they want

15. Believes the Red Wings were looking at (maybe still looking at) Cozens

17. Verbeek is asking a lot for Gibson.

22. Toronto's preference for a centre is term. Might not happen though.
Please. Someone. Someone tell me what the appeal is/has been for John Gibson. I have never watched a game with him in it, and have said "Man that's a top tier goaltender."
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Old 01-08-2025, 12:02 PM   #6136
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Please. Someone. Someone tell me what the appeal is/has been for John Gibson. I have never watched a game with him in it, and have said "Man that's a top tier goaltender."
I think he is still riding a lot in reputation. Before he entered the league he was praised as the top goalie prospect. And I think the fact that him entering the league right when the ducks were on their downfall has made a lot of people assume it’s the teams fault he’s never really looked that great and that his potential to be a top 5-10 goalie is still there.

I agree with you though. Have never really cared for his performance as a #1 goalie.

Last edited by stemit14; 01-08-2025 at 12:06 PM.
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Old 01-08-2025, 12:06 PM   #6137
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Seattle has put Sprong on waivers. Not sure there is much there for a NHL team. After his hot preseason with Vancouver, has shown nothing this season.
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Old 01-08-2025, 12:13 PM   #6138
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There's interest in Kadri, even at his price tag.
But Kadri really doesn't want to move on, he likes it here and wants to be apart of the solution.
This is the identity that Craig wants to build, not to say he'd never move him.

The last I heard there were more than a handful of teams who've kicked tires on him.
My understanding is Kadri would accept a trade to the Leafs and the Leafs only. I don't expect that to transpire because the Flames want a strong return for him and are happy to keep him. He is a good leader for the young players and he likes the city. There is no pressure to move Kadri so if BT wants him he is going to have to make an offer Conroy can't refuse.i don't expect the Leafs to pay that price.
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Old 01-08-2025, 12:25 PM   #6139
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If Zary is going to be out awhile it would make sense for Calgary to put a claim in on Sprong.
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Old 01-08-2025, 12:28 PM   #6140
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No, bottom 6 guy RW
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