2015/2016 Trade Speculation and Rumors v2

[MikeMc]

Originally Posted by heep223

I really disagree with signing Backes, even though I like him. Firstly he is going to want more than $5M. Secondly he's too old - he's the kind of player that an established contender adds as a final piece for a playoff run for a year or two, not as a rebuilding team with a young core pushing to become a consistent playoff team. Backes is going to become less effective every year and I really think we'd regret that contract. Okposo makes way more sense, no he's not as big but he's younger and produces more.

Also not to nit pick your lineup but ideally Backlund/Frolik/Colborne are your checking line (with offensive upside), and Bouma/Brouwer are on the 4th line. Brouwer has scored 20 goals a few times but similar to Backes he's going to become less effective every year. Your forward group is missing an entire "2nd" offensive line with Bennett as the C on it. IMO of course.

Good post.

I really like the idea of Backes on the Flames lineup from a size/grit/ahole perspective but you're right he's going to be too expensive and his age is going to begin to show shortly.

I don't like Okposo at all and I really have no idea why. I think whomever signs him to big term and dollars will regret it.

Skip both in my opinion.

[Weitz]

I think Backes will be looking for Ladd type money. And didn't Ladd turn down 6 million a year?

[Poe969]

Backes would be good but it would have to be 5 mil per year or less and no more than 3 years.

Okposo isn't worth more than 6 mil, I'd be very worried about paying him more than 6 mil and I don't think I'd want to give him anything more than 5 years.

I'd like both players, heck there are a lot of players I'd like the Flames to get but it would depend on their price and term.

[druetetective]

Originally Posted by MikeMc

I don't like Okposo at all and I really have no idea why.

Racism?

Just kidding, but I don't think we should waste our time discussing Okposo.

He was born in Minnesota, Went to college there and that's where he lives offseason. As long as they have the cap I expect him to sign with the wild.

[AltaGuy]

Interesting that Backes is pretty polarizing. So much will depend on $$ and term for me - I'd do high dollar, low term if I could.

[Bourque's Twin]

In order to sign Okposo the Flames will have to pay him #1 RW money for 5 - 6 years. IMO, he's not the answer to the Flames's #1 RW need.

I'd rather see who the Flames can draft and who they can sign for 1 - 3 years as UFA to fill that role.

I don't think Backes is the answer either. I'm not a fan of the way Backes plays the game. He's a less annoying version of Kesler. He fights guys smaller than him, he whines, and he's only a 50 point guy on the wrong side of 30 years old. He's also accomplished nothing in the playoffs. Big pass.

[nik-]

I don't want Backes on my team. Fake tough guy and pretty much a symbol to me of St. Louis' inability to get over the hump or even go deep in the playoffs.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Imported_Aussie

This is the danger of relying on UFA to fill big holes in your lineup - players that get there either have enough warts that their current team is moving on, or they end up overpriced, either in cap hit or term.

I too am leery of Okposo - he seems like a real threat to be overpaid, and you have to wonder how much he is inflated by playing with Tavares. I personally don't think the Monahan line needs a big time RW - Gaudreau can make anyone look good. I think what they need on that line more than anything is someone who plays a simple north-south game, can convert scoring chances, and who doesn't need to have the puck often to be effective. You could even put a guy like Brouwer on that line and he may be able to click. Main problem with that line is that away from home, they don't produce (usually) as much, and that goes back to when Hudler was there too - they always looked dangerous going forward, but were built more like a PP unit than a balanced line.

Personally, I think more emphasis this year should be on finding who to play with Bennett, as I see a few combinations developing on this team, but none around Bennett as a centre

I agree with all you said. And I think a RW you describe plus getting Bennett some chemistry with wingers will solve the home/away issue for Johnny and Monahan.

ETA to add: I generally don't think UFAs are worth the salary they get.

[Roof-Daddy]

I doubt he'd sign here anyways, and I know many here would hate the idea, but if I'm Treliving I take a run at Stamkos. 26 years old, right hand shot and can play right wing or center. He's one of the top 2 or 3 goal scorers in the league and in his prime. He'd be lights out with Johnny, either as his center or on the right wing along with Monahan for years and years.

I'd off him the max term possible for us which is 7 years, and I'd go $9.0-9.5 million per.

Stamkos (26)
Gaudreau (22)
Monahan (21)
Bennett (19)

Giordano (32)
Brodie (25)
Hamilton (22)

That would be a sick core to build around.

[Toonage]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

I doubt he'd sign here anyways, and I know many here would hate the idea, but if I'm Treliving I take a run at Stamkos. 26 years old, right hand shot and can play right wing or center. He's one of the top 2 or 3 goal scorers in the league and in his prime. He'd be lights out with Johnny, either as his center or on the right wing along with Monahan for years and years.

I'd off him the max term possible for us which is 7 years, and I'd go $9.0-9.5 million per.

Stamkos (26)
Gaudreau (22)
Monahan (21)
Bennett (19)

Giordano (32)
Brodie (25)
Hamilton (22)

That would be a sick core to build around.

It would be. But it would also be near $50 million in long term salary.

[GioforPM]

Would Stamkos go anywhere where there's a risk he'd be a winger?

[flamesforcup]

wouldnt mind signing troy brower for some depth since our bottom six is horrific. Could be a good fit with bennett as hes a gritty rh shot solid defensive player.

[Flash Walken]

I'd back the truck up to the vault for Lucic.

Give that guy 7 million a year for 3 years.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

I'd back the truck up to the vault for Lucic.

Give that guy 7 million a year for 3 years.

If he makes it to UFA IMO the Flames are going to go HARD after him.

He'll be over paid wherever he goes, but he is exactly what this team needs. A big, strong, mean, tough guy who can play top six.


EDIT: And also a good age still

[sureLoss]

wrong thread

[HelloHockeyFans]

Islanders now down 3-1 to the Flyers with about 14 minutes left to play in the third and if Philly hangs on, will be 3 points behind the Isles with the same number of games played.

Greiss in net, but I wonder if the rumours posted earlier come to fruition about them looking into a goalie with Halak out?

They're 3 points behind the Rangers with two games in hand but the Rangers are leading right now and if they hang on, that makes it 5 points behind with the same two games in hand.

Does Snow pull the trigger and snag Hiller?

[H2SO4(aq)]

Originally Posted by HelloHockeyFans

Islanders now down 3-1 to the Flyers with about 14 minutes left to play in the third and if Philly hangs on, will be 3 points behind the Isles with the same number of games played.

Greiss in net, but I wonder if the rumours posted earlier come to fruition about them looking into a goalie with Halak out?

They're 3 points behind the Rangers with two games in hand but the Rangers are leading right now and if they hang on, that makes it 5 points behind with the same two games in hand.

Does Snow pull the trigger and snag Hiller?

Trade deadline mean anything to you?

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

I'd back the truck up to the vault for Lucic.

Give that guy 7 million a year for 3 years.

No thanks.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by H2SO4(aq)

Trade deadline mean anything to you?

You can still make trades after the deadline. Players moved are just ineligible for the playoffs.

[HelloHockeyFans]

Originally Posted by H2SO4(aq)

Trade deadline mean anything to you?

EDIT: New Era already mentioned it