Friedman's 31 thoughts - Feb 7

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by New Era

Considering people are suggesting $12M for Tavares, $6M for Saad is a bargain.

Tavares is an elite first line centre, top five in the league. He'd be the best centre on the Flames easily. Saad is a second or third line winger who is regressing quickly. $6m is not far off what Gio, Johnny and Monahan make, and more than Hamilton, Backlund, Hamonic and Frolik make.

Chicago would have to retain a couple million IMO.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by Monahammer

I don't mind the idea of potentially buying low on saad. I wonder what he would cost. On the flip side I would hate to give the blackhawks anything at all of potential value, as they deserve the worst.

I could see the Hawks parting with Saad for Bennett possibly one for one as it would save them $4M on the cap.

[Toonage]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

It was simply a bad play by a normally reliable player. There's no other explanation needed. Has nothing to do with coaching or systems.

See Post #10

[troutman]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

Uh... what? Yeah you are. Of course you are. Especially in the third period of a tight game. No one's coaching Frolik to make that play in that situation. What nonsense is this?

As odd as it seems, Warrener was explaining on the Fan the other day that this is exactly what is happening. Coaches are preaching possession, but should relax on that in the final minutes.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by troutman

As odd as it seems, Warrener was explaining on the Fan the other day that this is exactly what is happening. Coaches are preaching possession, but should relax on that in the final minutes.

How the hell would Warrener know “what coaches are preaching”? He hasn’t played in nearly a decade.

[Shazam]

He coaches little league, and that is the system being taught at higher levels apparently.

Dunno, maybe you should ask him.

[Toonage]

I'm sure Rhett is still connected. Knows ex players that are around teams, coaches, etc.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Toonage

I'm sure Rhett is still connected. Knows ex players that are around teams, coaches, etc.

From things he's said, I don't think so. He has pretty much admitted that he's not plugged in to the team. Really, only Conroy is around who he played with and the staff has been overhauled as well. From other stuff he's said I don't think he was tight with Conroy or Iginla's group.

[Toonage]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

From things he's said, I don't think so. He has pretty much admitted that he's not plugged in to the team. Really, only Conroy is around who he played with and the staff has been overhauled as well. From other stuff he's said I don't think he was tight with Conroy or Iginla's group.

I didn't necessarily mean the Flames, but really who knows. Just a guess on my part. I thought when he said coaches he meant in general, not just Calgary.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by Poe969

Except Tavares probably gets you double the points and makes the people around him better, Saad isn't what the team needs IMO

Saad is grossly under-rated and Tavares is grossly over-rated. Double the points? So that would mean we should be expecting 100+ points out of Tavares? Saad is a 20-30 goal, 50 point player. I appreciate Tavares is in the middle of a career year, but he is not at the level you're suggesting. He's a helluva player, but anyone willing to pay him $12M a season is looking to punish their team for years to come.

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Tavares is an elite first line centre, top five in the league. He'd be the best centre on the Flames easily. Saad is a second or third line winger who is regressing quickly. $6m is not far off what Gio, Johnny and Monahan make, and more than Hamilton, Backlund, Hamonic and Frolik make.

Chicago would have to retain a couple million IMO.

Regressing quickly? So a 25 year old is now regressing fast? Still on a pace for 20 goals while playing a limited role in Chicago. Don't see any regression in game, moreso the team he is on.

As far as needs, Flames are looking for a finisher, one that fits in the budget and is not going to cripple the team long term. Saad is a good target. If we can dump a salary and grab Saad, that would be a very solid move. Tavares is such a pipe dream its hard to articulate. Saad is a guy that would fit well based on the need.

[Monahammer]

Saad looked fantastic with the blue jackets. His defense has still been solid this year, and he started hot- his down season might be more of a symptom of the team's failure than anything. He would look great with Backlund and Tkachuk

Obviously Tavares would be magnificent, but what chance in hell do we have to actually land him? Everything he has said indicates he wants to stay in NY, and even if not we'd be competing with Max bids from many other teams. With the local tax rate and the middling results this season, we are at a severe handicap in that race from onset, nevermind the canadian market thing.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by New Era

Saad is grossly under-rated and Tavares is grossly over-rated. Double the points? So that would mean we should be expecting 100+ points out of Tavares? Saad is a 20-30 goal, 50 point player. I appreciate Tavares is in the middle of a career year, but he is not at the level you're suggesting. He's a helluva player, but anyone willing to pay him $12M a season is looking to punish their team for years to come.



Regressing quickly? So a 25 year old is now regressing fast? Still on a pace for 20 goals while playing a limited role in Chicago. Don't see any regression in game, moreso the team he is on.

As far as needs, Flames are looking for a finisher, one that fits in the budget and is not going to cripple the team long term. Saad is a good target. If we can dump a salary and grab Saad, that would be a very solid move. Tavares is such a pipe dream its hard to articulate. Saad is a guy that would fit well based on the need.

I'm not saying the Flames are getting Tavares, or that he's even worth $12M. I'm saying Saad is nowhere near what was in his earlier go round with Chicago, and nowhere near a $6M player. Being a worse player than before is regression. Or playing above your head and coming back to a normal level, that's regression statistically.

He's not a bad player. Would I take him for this team? Not at that salary. Plus he's a LW.

[mikephoen]

Originally Posted by Monahammer

Saad looked fantastic with the blue jackets. His defense has still been solid this year, and he started hot- his down season might be more of a symptom of the team's failure than anything. He would look great with Backlund and Tkachuk

Obviously Tavares would be magnificent, but what chance in hell do we have to actually land him? Everything he has said indicates he wants to stay in NY, and even if not we'd be competing with Max bids from many other teams. With the local tax rate and the middling results this season, we are at a severe handicap in that race from onset, nevermind the canadian market thing.

Actually he would pay less tax in Alberta than he would in NY. Not significantly less, but a small bit less. The best place to play from a tax standpoint is Florida. The worst is Montreal.

You can check out the rates here: http://gavingroup.ca/personal-income...in-nhl-cities/