You're the GM - missed playoff edition

[Leeman4Gilmour]

IMO, the locker room is broken. That has to be fixed.

Right now, we have just under $400k in cap space at the start of next year with a roster size of 19.

Lots of rumours about Sutter being the issue. Kadri reminds me of Drury 2.0. I think one or both of those guys have to go. If Kadri is as unhappy in Calgary as he looked, if you can trade him, you do it to make the room a happier place and give you some cap flexibility. So, Kadri is my first conversation.

[CSharp]

I actually think this team that was put together with the two goofs gone is pretty good on the ice and on paper. The Flames actually had a really good case for top 10 in the upcoming draft but the execution is just bad. The team can't decide if they want to play golf early or if they want to actually make the playoffs. As a fan, I want to see a true Cup contender. And with the 2 goofs that don't want to be here, this season was an absolute steal if the Flames had tried to dip down low for a great draft position. Take a look at teams like the Caps and the Blues along with the perennial bottom dwellers. If this wasn't the year to build your team for the future, then, when? I think the Flames will bounce back and be somewhat of a Cup contender next year, but man, all those expiring contracts after next season! Flames never cease to be mediocre at best when it comes to drafting. The way this franchise loses talent without getting anything back is also embarrassing.

Tre can be a wizard every year but as long as he's looking for that one goalie, he's your bozo GM. Why can't he follow the likes of the Avs or the Blackhawks where these team are built with average goalies that don't handicap the cap space. Goalies that do well and are going for free agency - who cares. They'll get overpaid somewhere else and then they're useless after that. Markstrom's contract is gonna look real bad real soon if he isn't dealt in the next 2 years. This is why you build the team in front of the goalie and not trying to find that one goalie that's gonna save the team. Cripes, the Flames had Braithwait and Giguere back in the Young Guns days and the latter won the Cup with the Ducks with a solid team in front of him! Imagine if the Flames had the right players back in those days and that type of goaltending at less than half the cost?

[topfiverecords]

Originally Posted by Toonage

Trade for Goodrow, make him wear 13. Trade for Katchouk and make him wear 19.

Basically a WWF fake Razor & Diesel moment.

Think we can get Par Lindholm to come back to play in NA? Make him wear 28.

[Geeoff]

Gotta move a couple bodies without taking salary back in order to ice a legal roster next season. So, I guess trade one or two of the pending UFAs for picks/prospects and insert some youthful legs into the lineup for next season. As a GM, my strategy would be to make at least 7 picks in every draft. In a cap league, you can't be spending big money on bottom 6 forwards and bottom pairing defensemen.

[Macho0978]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Fire Sutter and Kirk Muller. Maybe retain Huska and MacLean.

Either promote Mitch Love or bring in Bruce Boudreau.

Explore the trade market for Toffoli, Backlund, and Tanev. Honestly none should be in the long term plans based on their age and should be moved.

Hanifin and Lindholm. Explore extensions, if the ask is too high then they should be shopped as well.

Zadorov can go either way in terms of keeping him vs selling him.

Try to extend Phillips and give him an actual look. Extend Stecher.

Don't spend money on UFAs...leverage any cap space to either take a contract on from a team needing to clear cap or save it to help faciliate trades in the season.

This can be the base for the roster - and depending on the market you can look to add some veterans but don't be afraid to start the season with a young team.

Huberdeau - Lindholm - Dube
Mangiapane - Kadri - Phillips
Coleman - Ruzicka - Coronato
Pelletier - Zary - Duehr

Hanifin - Anderson
Kylington - Weegar
Zadorov - Stetcher
Gilbert

Markstrom
Wolf

I like this as well and would be looking at using the cap space to use all 3 of my trades where I can retain salary.

What's the return on Tanev, Backlund and Toffoli if you retain 50%? Likely looking at having a bunch of 1sts and 2nds in 2024

I would 100% trade Hanifin though. I just don't think he will be worth his next contract.

Lindholm likely does not ink if you trade the above players as well. Looks like we are rebuilding.

[RedHawk12]

Re-sign Treliving
Re-sign Lucic 2 × 2M
Re-sign Ritchie 2 × 1.5M
Re-sign Stecher 3 × 3M
Re-sign Stone 1 × 750k

Trade Kylington to Detroit for future considerations.
Trade Hanifin to Montreal for Josh Anderson.

Huberdeau - Lindholm - Toffoli
Mangiapane - Kadri - Anderson
Dube - Backlund - Coleman
Lucic - Rooney - Ritchie
Duehr

Tanev - Andersson
Weegar - Stecher
Zadorov - Stone
Gilbert

Markstrom
Vladar

[Number 39]

It been said by others, but I trade any and all of our upcoming 23/24 UFA’s for picks and prospects if possible. Time to be rather ruthless and get value back while not getting locked into long tern, big dollar contracts for declining performance years.

Call it a retool as this franchise never properly rebuilds.

[Royle9]

Literally no reason to re-sign Lucic.
I’d pass on Ritchie too.

Stetchdog for sure, but 3M is rich, you can likely get him for 1.25-1.5.
Stone for league minimum for the popcorn role.

Pass on Anderson, use Hanifin for a better package if he won’t re-sign.

[browntrout]

Honestly the best scenario that could play out would be for the team to be way out of playoff contention next trade deadline. It would really force the organization to face the truth, that they are a declining team. If you can't make the playoffs, why sign the same players, would force the organization to commit to a rebuild.

[Flames1217]

I think the team is a lot closer than where we finished this year but it all boils down to structure. We have too much of the same thing. Team has a lot of north south direct players but not enough creativity.

I would trade both Mangiapane and Tanev for as much as I can. I would then take that return and acquire a more dynamic right shot winger. If we have to add to make this happen I also do it. Kyrou comes to mind with all the rumors surrounding him.

Mangiapane is redundant for the team as we already have both Pelletier and Dube who play his role and make less than what he makes combined. Tanev has been a great soldier for the club but his value should be high for any team looking to go deep in the playoffs.

If Kylington is coming back than awesome, we essentially gain a 4/5 d-man who adds speed and creativity. If he doesn't than I would look at adding someone like him to the line up.

Resign both Lindholm and Hanifin and see how much Toffoli wants. I would also put out feelers for any team willing to take on Kadri with 1 million retained where we wouldn't be giving up anything. If this isn't possible then I wouldn't be overly interested.

Go into next year like such :

Huberdeau-Lindholm-Kyrou
Dube-Kadri-Toffoli
Pelletier-Backlund-Coleman
Ruzicka-Zary-Duehr
UFA/Lewis

Hanifin-Anderson
Kylington-Weegar
Zadarov-Stecher
Stone

Markstrom
Vladar/Wolf

Tree also stays but I am not sure about Sutter.

[Jason14h]

Originally Posted by Royle9

Literally no reason to re-sign Lucic.
I’d pass on Ritchie too.

Stetchdog for sure, but 3M is rich, you can likely get him for 1.25-1.5.
Stone for league minimum for the popcorn role.

Pass on Anderson, use Hanifin for a better package if he won’t re-sign.

You need to check your Sarcasm detector , I think the batteries are low

[Poe969]

First thing I'd do would be apologize to the fans. This franchise has failed the fans by being too focused on "what could be" instead of thinking about "what is"

I'd let every other GM know that every player is available. Every single one. I'd look at retaining salary on any deal if it significantly increased the return.

I'd gut the coaching staff and start from scratch. I'd try to find a younger more forward thinking coaching staff that can adapt instead of ALWAYS TRYING A SQUARE PEG IN A ROUND HOLE!!!

I'd try to build a faster, younger team with skill.

[iamca]

No Bruce Boudreau for the love of all things sacred to you!!! Please purge this thought from your mind!!!

[butterfly]

Originally Posted by The Fisher Account

I can't even imagine the regression a full year out of the NHL would have on a player. Oliver coming back even close to where he was last season is a pipe dream

Probably not a huge deal if you're playing in Europe/KHL/AHL. If you're not playing at all, I imagine it's far more difficult.

[tvp2003]

Clean house:

- Fire Sutter, Muller and the goalie coaches
- Re-sign Lewis, Stone, Phillips and Stetcher
- Extend Toffoli, Zadorov
- Let Lucic and Ritchie walk
- Trade Vladar, Lindholm and Hanifin at the draft for picks
- Trade Tanev and Backlund at the TDL

Opening night:

Huberdeau - Backlund - Toffoli
Mangiapane - Kadri - Coleman
Phillips - Ruzicka - Dube
PTO/Vet - Lewis - Duehr
Rooney

Weegar - Andersson
Kylington - Tanev
Zadorov - Stetcher
Stone

Markstrom
Wolf

After the TDL, replace Backlund on the roster with Zary or Kevin Rooney, Tanev with Stone:

Huberdeau - Dube - Toffoli
Mangiapane - Kadri - Coleman
Phillips - Ruzicka - Duehr
Zary - Lewis - Rooney

Weegar - Andersson
Kylington - Stecher
Zadorov - Stone

Markstrom
Wolf

[TheSquatch]

Originally Posted by tvp2003

Clean house:

- Fire Sutter, Muller and the goalie coaches
- Re-sign Lewis, Stone, Phillips and Stetcher
- Extend Toffoli, Zadorov
- Let Lucic and Ritchie walk
- Trade Vladar, Lindholm and Hanifin at the draft for picks
- Trade Tanev and Backlund at the TDL

Opening night:

Huberdeau - Backlund - Toffoli
Mangiapane - Kadri - Coleman
Phillips - Ruzicka - Dube
PTO/Vet - Lewis - Duehr
Rooney

Weegar - Andersson
Kylington - Tanev
Zadorov - Stetcher
Stone

Markstrom
Wolf

After the TDL, replace Backlund on the roster with Zary or Kevin Rooney, Tanev with Stone:

Huberdeau - Dube - Toffoli
Mangiapane - Kadri - Coleman
Phillips - Ruzicka - Duehr
Zary - Lewis - Rooney

Weegar - Andersson
Kylington - Stecher
Zadorov - Stone

Markstrom
Wolf

wow that's a losing team.

[DJones]

Originally Posted by TheSquatch

wow that's a losing team.

Still not a basement team with some normal luck. And completely destroying any value we have on defense by wasting 4 or 5 years rebuilding up the center

[tvp2003]

Originally Posted by DJones

Still not a basement team with some normal luck. And completely destroying any value we have on defense by wasting 4 or 5 years rebuilding up the center

Yeah, if you can move a D-man for a high end centre prospect then I think you do that move. Otherwise, I like Weegar and Andersson (and Zadorov) which is why I would keep them even though they’re on good contracts.

Besides, this is more about getting picks for expiring assets and gaining some cap flexibility if the opportunity comes to accelerate the rebuild by the time the 2024 Draft rolls around (versus a full-on tank).

[Cali Panthers Fan]

In this order:

-Fire Sutter. Under no circumstances make him the GM, or give him another position in the organization because it will only undermine the GM. Take a serious look at Mitch Love or assess any recently fired NHL coaches who still have abilities. Is Quenneville completely off the table??? I dunno, but something to think about. New coach picks his assistants. If that isn't the current crew, so be it.

-Have internal player meetings and assess what's wrong with the culture and dressing room. Explain the culture change that will come with a new coach and see if any of the players have a real "come to Jesus" moment. If any player gives an impression that they aren't all in for the success of this team, ship 'em out for whatever you can. Could be Backlund, Kadri, Mangiapane, Hanifin...everyone is on the table. No more cancerous elements that undermine the team. May be hard to dump someone like Kadri, so you may have to give more leeway on that one and just hope he gets back to his old self.

-Assess other possibilities of getting good value for tradeable veterans that only have 1 year left. Get as much draft capital or young prospects that you can: Backlund, Tanev, Hanifin, Zadorov. If any of those guys can return a king's ransom, do it. You need to restock the cupboards. My guess is you get interest in Hanifin, and I would do it if the return was good.

-Contact Kylington and assess the situation. Require that he indicates to the team what to expect from him by the draft so that the team can plan appropriately and make trades/moves as necessary. If he cannot provide clarity, ship him out for additional draft capital/prospects. Assess an extension for him throughout the season if he comes back and plays well.

-Do early assessment of ability to extend both Lindholm and Toffoli. Both are good players who do not rely on speed to be successful, but intelligence and skill. Those attributes age well. If possible, sign each to 5 year extensions. If there's no interest, add to list of players to possibly explore a trade for futures.

-Draft well. Keep all draft picks and be open to trade possibilities at the draft to add draft capital or prospects. Trade Vladar for futures to open a spot for Wolf.

-Free Agency: Say good bye to Lucic, Lewis, Ritchie, and Stecher (sorry, a short stint of good play does not overcome his long history of having serious shortcomings as a defenseman). Sign Gostisbehere or Klingberg as a pure 3rd pairing PP specialist to a 3 year deal (in desperate need of a good defenseman on the PP). No other free agents.
-Prospects: Qualify all RFAs. Let all UFAs walk except for Dansk as a 3rd string option.

Out: Coaching staff, Lucic, Lewis, Ritchie, Hanifin, Vladar.

Extended: Lindholm, Toffoli, Kylington

In: Mitch Love/Veteran NHL coach plus assistants. Shayne Gostisbehere.

Called up: Ruzicka, Pelletier, Coronato, Wolf

Huberdeau-Lindholm-Toffoli
Mangiapane-Kadri-Coronato
Pelletier-Backlund-Dube
Coleman-Ruzicka-Duehr

Weegar-Andersson
Tanev-Kylington
Gostisbehere-Zadorov

Markstrom/Wolf


Assess the team throughout the year. If it looks bleak, sell every asset you have that's over the age of 25 and go full scorched earth rebuild.

[Savvy27]

1. Dismiss Sutter, Muller, Labarbara, MacLain
2. See how the AHL playoffs go and promote Mitch Love if it is an impressive run
3. Trade Toffoli and Hanifin at the draft
4. Acquire a top 6 scorer (ex. Konecny - lives in Calgary in off-season, 26 with 2 years to UFA)
5. Re-sign Lindholm 8yr x 8M
6. Trade Dan Vladar for picks
7. Re-sign Troy Stecher 2yr x 1.25M
8. Re-sign Matthew Phillips 1yr x .8M
9. Trade for Anthony Duclair
10. Make it clear to coaching staff that bottom of the line up is for internal promotions
11. Re-sign Walker Duehr 2yr x 1.1M

My goal would be to increase the overall speed and skill of the roster. This comes at a cost of being noticeably smaller. That being said, I think that Konecny, Phillips, Mangiapane, Pelletier, Dube, and Coleman are really feisty and competitive guys that I don't see being intimidated.

Huberdeau - Lindholm - Duclair
Mangiapane - Kadri - Konecny
Coleman - Backlund - Coronato/Phillips
Pelletier - Dube - Duehr
Ruzicka

Weegar - Andersson
Kylington - Tanev
Zadorov - Stecher
Gilbert

Markstrom
Wolf

Reasoning:
First thing I would be doing is to build around Huberdeau and to bring in a player he had success with and also to put him on what is clearly a number 1 line.

Konecny is a favorite of mine. He lives in the city in the off-season and he put up pretty good offence on an awful Flyers team (GP: 59 G: 29 A: 28 P: 57). He just turned 26 and I think fits into the competitive window of the Flames well.

Backlund is such a great mentor for young players and he always seems to be able to carry a line that can outplay even the top lines of other teams. If Coronato is ready then that is a great place to learn the pro game. On the other hand, maybe Coronato won't be ready to play the pro schedule or need some time in the AHL and Matthew Phillips could add a scoring touch and the Flames organization can at least see if the hometown/homegrown guy can make an impact.

I love the idea of a Pelletier-Dube-Duehr line. That would be an incredibly fast and relentless line. They wouldn't intimidate with size but I think most NHL players would rather face Lucic and Lewis than these guys. Also, I prefer Dube at C. Frustrating to see him moved around all the time.

I realize that this is putting a lot of pressure on Kylington and if he can't play then we are looking at Zadorov in the top 4 all year. Makes me nervous but I love him in a pair with Tanev and I think having Kylington on one pair and Stecher on the other makes the Flames a quick puck moving team that can expect a lot of offense from the defence.

Markstrom would be the nominal starter but I expect that Wolf would start pushing him. Looking for a Rinne/Saros partnership here.

PP1:
Konecny
Huberdeau Kadri Lindholm
Andersson

PP2:
Mangiapane
Coronato Pelletier Phillips
Weegar

PK:
Backlund Coleman
Dube Mangiapane
Lindholm Huberdeau
Kadri Konecny

Cap hit: 83,464,000