[Rumour] Dailyfaceoff: Flames might go big game hunting this summer

[really?]

Conroy has done a good job of masking his true intentions (buy/sell) so he has preserved the power that comes with being a wild card. It’s a tight window, but maybe there’s a deal where the team can acquire a coveted veteran contract and future assets to clear the deck for another team to land a big name FA. I imagine Conroy has a number ideas smoldering, but I doubt he’s itching to use cap space for anything less than what he considers to be a “Plan A” acquisition.

[MrCallahan]

Originally Posted by Mathgod

Should the Flames consider an making an offer sheet for Morgan Geekie? He's a good player, 26, and I think he'd fit here nicely. The max AAV to avoid paying a first rounder is $4,680,076, so it's a question of would the Bruins match the offer at that AAV. I think they would. So if you go above that, you can go up to $7 Mil and pay a 1st and 3rd. Realistically he would get something in the neighborhood of 5 to 5.5.

Mang re-signed here for $5.8 and 3 years following his 35 goal season, but never returned to that level. Geekie is coming off a 33 goal season. It might be a big risk giving up a 1st and 3rd to get him, but if you can get him for $4.68AAV and a 2nd rounder, it would be worth it IMO.

I was thinking Geekie would be a good one to attempt as well - doesn't have the "big game" label most would be looking at, but I think he does fit Connie's criteria.

Have never watched him play! so can't speak to that. But looking on paper - seems like he'd a good candidate to dig into.

[Scroopy Noopers]

Originally Posted by MrCallahan

I was thinking Geekie would be a good one to attempt as well - doesn't have the "big game" label most would be looking at, but I think he does fit Connie's criteria.

Have never watched him play! so can't speak to that. But looking on paper - seems like he'd a good candidate to dig into.

Good two way guy. Jumped a bunch in goals this year, but if you look closer it’s thanks to a staggering 22% scoring percentage…. Ain’t happening again or at least not often.

[Wolven]

Originally Posted by Five-hole

I know I'm late to this party but I'm all in favour of adding 1 "big game" UFA in each of the next 2-3 years. (It almost never works to add more than one star player by UFA at the same time as it is way too disruptive to team chemistry -- see, Nashville this year, Minny when they added Parise and Suter, or any of the dead puck NYR teams).

Try to get Marner this year. Try to get Makar next year.

We have too much talent to finish bottom 10 next year. In my view all the people saying "here comes mediocrity" are ignoring that that is exactly what we will be if we do nothing. Add 1-3 star players by UFA and hope that some of our picks exceed expectations. That's the boat we're in, folks.

I wouldn't be upset if we landed Marner but I kinda hope we pass by the UFA market this season.

If we trade out Andersson and avoid adding, I think we have a chance to promote from within and either boom into the playoffs or bust into the top of the draft. Either way, this should be the year that we try to heavily promote from within and see what these prospects are capable of.

Next year we can take our cap space and try to get Eichel. Or that other high end C....

[CroFlames]

I have no interest in high end wingers at this point in the life cycle of the rebuild. Marner is a fine player, but is he a difference maker in the playoffs?

Some stars really step up in the playoffs - Draisaitl, Rantanen, Kyle Connor, etc. Some stars take a dip in the playoffs - Hellebuyck, Mathews, and I'd add Marner to this list.

I'm happy with the Parekh, Andersson, Weegar, Bahl top 4. With the G position seemingly under control now, Conny needs to focus on C. This will take time and I certainly hope they don't rush it because of some arbitrary deadline (new rink).

Seasons tickets will sell. That is not even a question. Especially if you build the team the right way and you are a top team for a decade.

[MrCallahan]

Originally Posted by Scroopy Noopers

Good two way guy. Jumped a bunch in goals this year, but if you look closer it’s thanks to a staggering 22% scoring percentage…. Ain’t happening again or at least not often.

I agree on that - but I still think he would meet Connie's selection criteria, I just don't think it's the "big game" in this particular hunt.

[ResAlien]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

I have no interest in high end wingers at this point in the life cycle of the rebuild. Marner is a fine player, but is he a difference maker in the playoffs?

Some stars really step up in the playoffs - Draisaitl, Rantanen, Kyle Connor, etc. Some stars take a dip in the playoffs - Hellebuyck, Mathews, and I'd add Marner to this list.

Second on the team in points, leads the team in assists, a positive +/-, has taken a single penalty, and plays almost 23 minutes a night. Yes I think it's safe to say he is a difference maker in the playoffs.

[Vinny01]

I would rather the Flames hold their chips for another year but I can unfortunately see why they would push forward. Kadri/Huberdeau/Weegar/Coleman/Backlund are not getting any younger and Wolf/Coronato/Zary/Parekh are all making an impact or poised to make an impact next year.

The “Nashville” model is a cautionary tale for the Flames to consider avoiding. They had a great year in 2023/24 and made the playoffs while also pushing the Canucks in a first round series. They then went out and added 3 of the top UFA’s on the market and the team was awful this year. Hey maybe Flames fans want that so we can get a top pick next year?

The Flames version of the Nashville model for me are targeting Bennett, Ekblad, and Boeser or Ehlers. I do not see Marner coming here unless Kadri has somehow sold him and I just doubt that. Steinberg and Francis sure seem to pound the Bennett drum to think he is going to be getting a huge offer from the Flames if he gets to UFA. Ekblad was extremely close with Huberdeau and Weegar so I do see a scenario where he would consider coming here and they shift Weegar to be his left side partner like he was in Florida.

I do think they will flip Andersson so I can see a situation where they still target a futures based return. I am also not convinced they go big game hunting but I do think “it makes sense” knowing this organization has no desire to tank and if they are bought into Wolf being a top 5 goalie then the push to win will be immediate

[Paulie Walnuts]

I don't see how Geekie fits what COnroy is looking for. Not to mention it looks like this year was an outlier a 22% shooting % and he had 10 more shots than last year. That is likely not to be repeated and he goes back down to a 11% shooter. He is also bad at faceoffs an area that we need to look to fix.

He also adds to our glut of middle 6 players, which we have plenty.

It goes against how I think the team should carry forward but the team lacks elite 1st line talent and that is Mitch Marner. If that is your target go for it, if you miss out on him you don't regroup and go after a Geekie or Ehlers. That is just being desperate.

[Macho0978]

Originally Posted by ResAlien

Second on the team in points, leads the team in assists, a positive +/-, has taken a single penalty, and plays almost 23 minutes a night. Yes I think it's safe to say he is a difference maker in the playoffs.

Marner gets underrated, he is a 100-point guy but also lead the Leaf's forwards in time on ice shorthanded.

Not many 100-point guys play 3 mins a game shorthanded.

IMO it's just a year early for the Flames to be looking at a move like this. Marner is one of the few that make sense to make a run at, but they are better off selling Rasmus and Coleman right now.

[traptor]

Yeah if we didn't make the frost/farabee acquisition Geekie would be a great fit.

but since we have those two guys, we know have an absolute glut of middle 6 guys. Any moves will have to be player in - player out.

We really only have space to go big game hunting now, until we start moving on from some of these other guys.

[traptor]

I would be happy if we traded Rasmus then signed a guy like Orlov to a 3-4 year deal.

[Ba'alzamon]

I really hope the Flames don't see Brock Boeser as a target. Prime overpay candidate, even more than most high-profile UFAs.

[Paulie Walnuts]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

I would rather the Flames hold their chips for another year but I can unfortunately see why they would push forward. Kadri/Huberdeau/Weegar/Coleman/Backlund are not getting any younger and Wolf/Coronato/Zary/Parekh are all making an impact or poised to make an impact next year.

The “Nashville” model is a cautionary tale for the Flames to consider avoiding. They had a great year in 2023/24 and made the playoffs while also pushing the Canucks in a first round series. They then went out and added 3 of the top UFA’s on the market and the team was awful this year. Hey maybe Flames fans want that so we can get a top pick next year?

The Flames version of the Nashville model for me are targeting Bennett, Ekblad, and Boeser or Ehlers. I do not see Marner coming here unless Kadri has somehow sold him and I just doubt that. Steinberg and Francis sure seem to pound the Bennett drum to think he is going to be getting a huge offer from the Flames if he gets to UFA. Ekblad was extremely close with Huberdeau and Weegar so I do see a scenario where he would consider coming here and they shift Weegar to be his left side partner like he was in Florida.

I do think they will flip Andersson so I can see a situation where they still target a futures based return. I am also not convinced they go big game hunting but I do think “it makes sense” knowing this organization has no desire to tank and if they are bought into Wolf being a top 5 goalie then the push to win will be immediate

Minus Weegar, pushing your chips in on that group because they are getting mid 30's or over is the silliest thing ever and I can't see Conroy pushing for that. Most likely getting instructions from the man above.

[Psytic]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

I would rather the Flames hold their chips for another year but I can unfortunately see why they would push forward. Kadri/Huberdeau/Weegar/Coleman/Backlund are not getting any younger and Wolf/Coronato/Zary/Parekh are all making an impact or poised to make an impact next year.

The “Nashville” model is a cautionary tale for the Flames to consider avoiding. They had a great year in 2023/24 and made the playoffs while also pushing the Canucks in a first round series. They then went out and added 3 of the top UFA’s on the market and the team was awful this year. Hey maybe Flames fans want that so we can get a top pick next year?

The Flames version of the Nashville model for me are targeting Bennett, Ekblad, and Boeser or Ehlers. I do not see Marner coming here unless Kadri has somehow sold him and I just doubt that. Steinberg and Francis sure seem to pound the Bennett drum to think he is going to be getting a huge offer from the Flames if he gets to UFA. Ekblad was extremely close with Huberdeau and Weegar so I do see a scenario where he would consider coming here and they shift Weegar to be his left side partner like he was in Florida.

I do think they will flip Anderson so I can see a situation where they still target a futures based return. I am also not convinced they go big game hunting but I do think “it makes sense” knowing this organisation has no desire to tank and if they are bought into Wolf being a top 5 goalie then the push to win will be immediate

Imagine having that kind of supporting cast and a plethora of first rounders coming in. Some teams have been able to make their way into contention with out super high picks like Carolina, Minnesota, even Winnipeg to an extent. We have to accept at this point that this is the way this owner operates and look for solutions under this perception. Its not what we think we "should" do at this point. It's what would Edwards want and how can we be successful under his model.

[Saqe]

Originally Posted by ResAlien

Second on the team in points, leads the team in assists, a positive +/-, has taken a single penalty, and plays almost 23 minutes a night. Yes I think it's safe to say he is a difference maker in the playoffs.

Not for 14M he isn't. Shrinks when the going gets tough.

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by ResAlien

Second on the team in points, leads the team in assists, a positive +/-, has taken a single penalty, and plays almost 23 minutes a night. Yes I think it's safe to say he is a difference maker in the playoffs.

Point taken. I just really think the focus should be on C and not RW.

He's going to cost $14-18 million a year, and I'd rather see that money going to a bonafide #1C. It is my belief that you win with elite Cs, with wingers being complimentary.

[YyjFlames]

Originally Posted by Macho0978

Marner gets underrated, he is a 100-point guy but also lead the Leaf's forwards in time on ice shorthanded.

Not many 100-point guys play 3 mins a game shorthanded.

IMO it's just a year early for the Flames to be looking at a move like this. Marner is one of the few that make sense to make a run at, but they are better off selling Rasmus and Coleman right now.

100%.

Marner would be a great pickup (scoring at a better PPG pace in the playoffs than Kyle Connor), but pushing it in for him at this point is just repeating the pattern of the previous regime.

I'd be okay with it because he'd be a pretty exciting pickup and would be fun to watch, but my preference is that the Flames continue to build through the draft for a couple more years before signing the big FA.

Patience is tough for Conroy as he'll want to reward the vets for their work this past season... and hopefully this rumour and subsequent pitch is just posturing to keep them motivated.

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by Macho0978

Marner gets underrated, he is a 100-point guy but also lead the Leaf's forwards in time on ice shorthanded.

Not many 100-point guys play 3 mins a game shorthanded.

IMO it's just a year early for the Flames to be looking at a move like this. Marner is one of the few that make sense to make a run at, but they are better off selling Rasmus and Coleman right now.

A year early? In the grand scheme of 7 years, 1 year early to get the piece you feel best fits your build is nothing.

There's no guarantee there's another Marner becoming available in the future either.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Mathgod

Should the Flames consider an making an offer sheet for Morgan Geekie? He's a good player, 26, and I think he'd fit here nicely. The max AAV to avoid paying a first rounder is $4,680,076, so it's a question of would the Bruins match the offer at that AAV. I think they would. So if you go above that, you can go up to $7 Mil and pay a 1st and 3rd. Realistically he would get something in the neighborhood of 5 to 5.5.

Mang re-signed here for $5.8 and 3 years following his 35 goal season, but never returned to that level. Geekie is coming off a 33 goal season. It might be a big risk giving up a 1st and 3rd to get him, but if you can get him for $4.68AAV and a 2nd rounder, it would be worth it IMO.

There is a chance that our 1st is #1OA and we draft McKenna next year.

Signing Geekie - or anyone - to a contract that requires our 1st, risks losing out on McKenna. Do you want Geekie that badly?

If you want to offer up to $4.68M sure, go for it. But the 1st is absolutely off the table.