The 2025 Offseason thread.

[GioforPM]

Flames also have a tough decision on Kirkland. He was terrific in his limited appearance.

I'm not a Rooney hater but potentially you let him go and keep Kirkland (who will be cheap).

Huberdeau-Kadri-Klapka
Zary-Frost-Coronato
Farabee-Backlund Sharangovich
Lomberg-Kirkland-Pospisil

Suniev maybe knocking and I'm hoping Stromgren or Honzek takes a big step.

[Bonded]

Originally Posted by dino7c

Its true...posters thought signing Markstom and Tanev were total wastes and bad contracts (we have post history)

Both were traded for assets after good/great service. Picking up a player in a player in trade that is an obvious win or via UFA does not mean that player is just here for the duration of the contract. There is never a bad time to upgrade on assets IMO.

Well that was after Brouwer and Neal so it’s not like Tre had done well up to that point lol.

[Caged Great]

Originally Posted by Jay Random

What forwards do they have in the system that are pushing for a job? They already promoted everyone they could this season, to the point where the Wranglers were beating the bushes for players on ATOs just to fill the roster.

Kerins is the only forward in the system I can think of who might be ready, and he needs to improve his skating. If he comes back faster in training camp, he can take the roster spot vacated by Rooney. I don't see any need to open up more spots than that.

I think both Honzek and Stromgren are close, and Morton probably should make the NHL next year if he's ever going to be more than Org. Filler.

That unfortunately is it. Two wingers and a possible 4th line C. Not a ton of guys pushing, but they should try to incorporate them if possible.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Flames also have a tough decision on Kirkland. He was terrific in his limited appearance.

I actually think that's a pretty easy decision for the Flames: Bring him back if he'll take a reasonable offer. The tough decision has to be made by Kirkland himself, whether he'll re-sign here or shop for a better opportunity elsewhere.

[Caged Great]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Flames also have a tough decision on Kirkland. He was terrific in his limited appearance.

I think he'll be re-signed but with the increased likelihood of him being on the Wranglers depending on his play in camp.

[Macho0978]

Originally Posted by Jay Random

The nice thing about that is that often in the 2nd round, you get teams eyeing each other, both wanting to draft a particular player and getting their testosterone in a wad lest the other guy get him first. Nearly every year, somebody overpays to move up and snag a particular player (who often busts anyway).

If the opportunity is there, this could be one of those years where the Flames trade down within the 2nd round and pick up an extra 3rd or 4th. Or trade their 2nd outright for multiple picks.

That is basically how I'm looking at it. My assessment is based on my opinion, but it's pretty good (Elite Status is questionable)

I have always felt the most overrated statement is the worst spot to be in is a team that just misses the playoffs. IMO it's worse to be a terrible team that misses out on a top 5 pick.

I feel like once you get past the 1st, the 2nd is very overrated and isn't really providing more star players the any other round. You need to draft well past the 1st and maybe you are getting more 3rd and 4th liners from the 2nd, but I just feel that is overrated as a good GM should be able to fill his 3rd and 4th line and bottom d pairing to really worry about the value of drafting those types of players.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by Caged Great

I think both Honzek and Stromgren are close, and Morton probably should make the NHL next year if he's ever going to be more than Org. Filler.

That unfortunately is it. Two wingers and a possible 4th line C. Not a ton of guys pushing, but they should try to incorporate them if possible.

You never want to go into the season with all your NHL-capable players already on the opening-night roster. Injuries always happen. And if the season goes badly and you start trading away vets, you want somebody ready to take their place.

Honzek, in particular, only has one AHL season under his belt and missed a lot of games with injury. I'd be comfortable letting him cook a little longer and having him available as a mid-season callup.

Stromgren is older and had a very strong AHL season this year. I think there's a real chance he pushes for a job in camp, but I still wouldn't be writing his name on the roster in ink.

[blankall]

I would definitely move Coleman.

Obviously I love what he brings into the lineup: effort, energy, experience, and mentorship. As guys like Zary and Coronato become more experienced, Coleman's contributions become less valuable. Zary and Coronato are both younger versions of Coleman in many ways.

If the Flames don't have plans to bring in a big UFA, maybe you need Coleman's cap hit just to hit the floor though? I'd prefer most of the depth roster spots going to young players at this point.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Flames also have a tough decision on Kirkland. He was terrific in his limited appearance.

I'm not a Rooney hater but potentially you let him go and keep Kirkland (who will be cheap).

Huberdeau-Kadri-Klapka
Zary-Frost-Coronato
Farabee-Backlund Sharangovich
Lomberg-Kirkland-Pospisil

Suniev maybe knocking and I'm hoping Stromgren or Honzek takes a big step.

This is never a popular thing to bring up but I just don't get the legend of Kirkland.

The shootout things was cool. Great guy.

But last on the team for forwards in xGA60 (which is essential for a 4th line guy), and last on the team for forwards in xGF%.

Led all forwards with a 1.12 PDO which is off the charts.

If you look league wide? He's 1st in PDO for all forwards that played 150 or more minutes.

He should be cheap so when the heater goes away they can burry him but don't assume more than there appears.

[Paulie Walnuts]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Flames also have a tough decision on Kirkland. He was terrific in his limited appearance.

I'm not a Rooney hater but potentially you let him go and keep Kirkland (who will be cheap).

Huberdeau-Kadri-Klapka
Zary-Frost-Coronato
Farabee-Backlund Sharangovich
Lomberg-Kirkland-Pospisil

Suniev maybe knocking and I'm hoping Stromgren or Honzek takes a big step.

Kirkland was a good story, but I think he is a good callup. Time to go younger on that 4th line and get someone who can win faceoffs.

The 4th line for a good part of the season was pretty bad, need that changed. More energy and speed.

[TheIronMaiden]

Originally Posted by Caged Great

I hope so, I just don't like the idea of basically all the forward and defense spots called for before we even get to free agency.

Something has to give, even if it's only a couple small spots and have some competition in training camp.

For example as the default for next year on the blue line

Weegar-Parekh
Bahl-Hanley
Bean-Pachal

But having the option to moving any of the bottom three to the #7 hole if any of the young D perform as well and take a spot.

The nice thing about the Flames cap flexibility is that they can burry any contract* they want without it messing up their future. They will put the best players on the ice.


* Not Huberdeau, Kadri or Weegar.

[browntrout]

Originally Posted by dino7c

Not all picks are created equal you are spinning here a bit

having 4 FIRSTS the next two drafts is pretty substantial. By your logic trade them for 8 FIFTHS and have more picks.

How many teams have 4 firsts the next two years? a couple maybe...some don't have any.

Yes, there may not be alot of teams that don't have 4 firsts in the next two years, but it's Calgary, this team desperately lacks high end forward talent, do they even have a young forward that is a lock to play on the first line, maybe coranato, honzek is definitely not projecting as such, they need as much ammo as possible. Honestly the only pick that has real value is next year's, Las Vegas looks like a lock to make the playoffs again

[Monahammer]

Originally Posted by Bingo

This is never a popular thing to bring up but I just don't get the legend of Kirkland.

The shootout things was cool. Great guy.

But last on the team for forwards in xGA60 (which is essential for a 4th line guy), and last on the team for forwards in xGF%.

Led all forwards with a 1.12 PDO which is off the charts.

If you look league wide? He's 1st in PDO for all forwards that played 150 or more minutes.

He should be cheap so when the heater goes away they can burry him but don't assume more than there appears.

Very reminiscent of Lance Bouma 14-15 season. High PDO and good team gel lead to a great season, but it was a mirage.

[malt-lager]

Not ideal for draft position, but coming one overtime win away from the playoffs is a great learning experience for the young guys. Every player in the locker room can look back on the season and reflect on a bad shift, that could have tipped the scales. A bad penalty, a missed assignment, lazy line change, one more save could have been the difference. Hopefully the team starts next season how they finished.

[FireGilbert]

I kind of feel bad for any Flames fan that checked out after Christmas. Would have missed so many great moments like Kadri’s OT winners and getting the Rangers booed out of the MSG, not to mention all the crazy comebacks and spectacular goaltending performances.

Stay the course this off season. Sell the UFAs, integrate a few rookies, consider trades to upgrade at centre, and plug any holes with short term FAs. The future is bright!

[bdubbs]

This is going to be a looooooooong offseason.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by bdubbs

This is going to be a looooooooong offseason.

Summer always goes way too fast

[Leeman4Gilmour]

Below is a list of players 22 years and younger who scored a minimum of 20 goals. It might be just me, but I think the season Coronato had was a bit overlooked due to Wolf's rise. Wolf is undoubtedly the biggest 'youngster' story, but Coronato is right up there. Huge step for him and the organization.

Celebrini, Macklin
Bedard, Connor
Cooley, Logan
Michkov, Matvei
Carlsson, Leo
Fantilli, Adam
Johnston, Wyatt
Gauthier, Cutter
Guenther, Dylan
Johnson, Kent
Byfield, Quinton
Coronato, Matt
McTavish, Mason
Knies, Matthew
Beniers, Matthew

Most everyone on this list is still on their entry deals, with the exception of Beniers and Byfield who make $7,142,857 and $6,250,000. Oh, and Johnson who sits at $1,800,000 (someone needs a new agent). I wouldn't think of Coronato in the Beniers or Byfield range, but his numbers get him close.

[howard_the_duck]

I'm excited for the off-season. Draft with two picks will be great. I'm really glad we'll be free and clear from the conditions on this year's draft pick.

For me, this off-season hinges on: 1) Continue the stellar draft record, 2) Moving Andersson, 3) Show some restraint in free agency.

Take this season for what it was; a great tone setter for the organization's culture. Don't let it deter you from your long-term plan to get younger and build through the draft.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Leeman4Gilmour

Below is a list of players 22 years and younger who scored a minimum of 20 goals. It might be just me, but I think the season Coronato had was a bit overlooked due to Wolf's rise. Wolf is undoubtedly the biggest 'youngster' story, but Coronato is right up there. Huge step for him and the organization.

Celebrini, Macklin
Bedard, Connor
Cooley, Logan
Michkov, Matvei
Carlsson, Leo
Fantilli, Adam
Johnston, Wyatt
Gauthier, Cutter
Guenther, Dylan
Johnson, Kent
Byfield, Quinton
Coronato, Matt
McTavish, Mason
Knies, Matthew
Beniers, Matthew

Most everyone on this list is still on their entry deals, with the exception of Beniers and Byfield who make $7,142,857 and $6,250,000. Oh, and Johnson who sits at $1,800,000 (someone needs a new agent). I wouldn't think of Coronato in the Beniers or Byfield range, but his numbers get him close.

Coronato has an elite shot