First line LW replacement until Gaudreau situation is resolved?

[Frank MetaMusil]

Originally Posted by polak

Right. I thought it was playing time?

He was really good for us for a few seasons.

It's because Keenan had him on the PK. Then he demanded a trade, came back, and Brent used him on the PK.

[gvitaly]

Originally Posted by polak

Right. I thought it was playing time?

He was really good for us for a few seasons.

I would have to disagree, the last season he was here he brought zero effort. He put up some points but was invisible throughout most of the game. He was traded for an overpaid Jones and an overpaid SOB just to get rid of him. He was good when the Flames signed him to a 1 year $1.7M contract in 2010-11, but it has been a big disappointment after that.

As for a replacement it would have to be scoring by committee. At this point it would have to be Bennett playing with Monahan and Brouwer. I only suggest Bennett because I don't think this situation can go more than a couple of games into the season.

[activeStick]

If it's clear Gaudreau's camp is going to opt to hold out and end up missing the start of the season, I think the Flames do a PTO for a guy like Versteeg and based on how people look in camp, go with that to start the year. Could be Versteeg on the top line or Tkachuk if he really impresses.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by New Era

Too soon to push either of those two into that role IMO. If Tkachuk hangs around I see him as a third liner on the LW with Sam Bennett as his pivot. Let those guys grow together to become a lethal combination. Shinkaruk is interesting, but the line needs a setup guy. If the team wants to push a young unproven player into that role maybe Jankowski is a better fit. Personally I wouldn't do that in a million years. This team needs a quick start to the season or it will quickly become another lost year, hence the veteran who can step up and deal with the pressure right away. For young guys there are some good options. For a team that wants to be in the playoffs, and needs a quick start to do that, a veteran is probably a better solution.

This is a short term hole to fill until Johnny signs. Don't think giving some veteran plug that otherwise wouldn't be considered for a contract.

Personally I think Tkachuk would fare better than a guy like Tanguay would in a short sample on the top line

[djsFlames]

Olli Jokinen

3rd times the charm.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by Parallex

No, I really don't think it is.

So you're 100 percent certain that Gaudreau is going to sign before the start of the season? You think that the hockey team is also that confident? If Treliving doesn't have this on his radar at the moment he should likely be adding it to his to-do list. But I'm pretty sure that the team has already had discussions about their contingency plans for a Gaudreau hold out. This team can't afford to come out of the gate 2-8 because they had a hole up front. They'll have something put together just in case things don't go well in the next 30 days.

[4X4]

Definitely not Tanguay. I'd rather Conroy lace em back up and play with a lefty stick than ever see Tanguay near the Flames again.

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by Jacks

My memory is foggy but wasn't Tanguay sulking about something every time he was here? I thought everyone was happy to see him go?

fixed that for ya

[dabrit]

Except this thread is pointless as in theory Gaudreau can be unsigned up until December this year and still start the season...

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by New Era

So you're 100 percent certain that Gaudreau is going to sign before the start of the season? You think that the hockey team is also that confident? If Treliving doesn't have this on his radar at the moment he should likely be adding it to his to-do list. But I'm pretty sure that the team has already had discussions about their contingency plans for a Gaudreau hold out. This team can't afford to come out of the gate 2-8 because they had a hole up front. They'll have something put together just in case things don't go well in the next 30 days.

Drew Doughty held out through all of training camp and five pre season games.

The Kings won the Stanley Cup that year.

This is a negotiation between a player and a team, not the owners and the PA. It'll get done.

Furthermore, if this team is 2-8 without Johnny, we have bigger problems. A team with Monahan, Gio, Brodie, Dougie, Bennett, Elliott, and Backlund should be able to absorb the loss of Gaudreau for a couple weeks. If it can't, Johnny's cap hit needs to start with a 10.

But it won't.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by New Era

So you're 100 percent certain that Gaudreau is going to sign before the start of the season? You think that the hockey team is also that confident? If Treliving doesn't have this on his radar at the moment he should likely be adding it to his to-do list. But I'm pretty sure that the team has already had discussions about their contingency plans for a Gaudreau hold out. This team can't afford to come out of the gate 2-8 because they had a hole up front. They'll have something put together just in case things don't go well in the next 30 days.

I actually now have the belief that JG will miss at least a few games this year as this drags out (really happy to be wrong on that ). But even if that's the case, you don't look to replace him. If the Flames end up adding up front, they need to do so with the thoughts that JG will be in the line up in short order.

Fact of the matter is, JG isn't really replaceable, not just because he's good, but because he's a good, young player, that the Flames hope is part of the long term picture of this club. That can't just be picked up on the side. The Flames can't do anything, bring anyone in that wouldn't fit once JG returns (team or cap wise), so they don't have many options but to make do with what they have from within should JG hold out.

As much as I'm hoping for a playoff birth this year, this team still isn't focused on this year, it's about the years coming up. There really isn't an organizational need to panic and look to fill JGs shoes in the short term should this drag out.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Premature thread is premature.

But if this did indeed happen then I think Tkachuk might be the placeholder

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

Premature thread is premature.

But if this did indeed happen then I think Tkachuk might be the placeholder

Rookies do not get top line minutes out of training camp unless they're the elite of the elite.

It would be tremendously unfair to put Tkachuk in that position if Johnny was present. Asking him to fill that role in his absence is borderline malicious.

[IgiTang]

This thread makes me sad.

[CroFlames]

What about trading for James Neal?

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

What about trading for James Neal?

To deal with a holdout that, to this point, hasn't missed a single second of action?

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814

To deal with a holdout that, to this point, hasn't missed a single second of action?

I don't make the thread subjects. I just reply to them.


Beside James Neal would be awesome for our 2nd line.

[alan21]

I'm a huge Tanguay fan and was thinking about the same thing the other day.

He'd be on board if we brought back Iginla in a trade!... This part I'm kidding about unless it's Wideman for Iggy.

[ResAlien]

Is Richard Clune available?

[Bear]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

I don't make the thread subjects. I just reply to them.


Beside James Neal would be awesome for our 2nd line.

What you willing to give up?