2018/2019 Trade Speculation and Rumors

[Flash Walken]

It would be a crying shame to spend a bunch if picks to get thr roster to respectability and then sit on your hands and not move picks to improve a team first in their division.

This roster still needs some more depth scoring and goaltending and I would be willing to move heaven and Earth for the right fit to fill those needs.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by keenan87

My bad on that.. Although, still not an incredible list. Additionally, Valimaki has looked fantastic so far but he still has only played 20+ games in the NHL so there can't be a final decision made on that pick just yet.

But you are right, 3 guys in 20+ years. Only notable (~star) and confirmed one is Backlund...

So, how does that compare to other NHL teams? I am asking because I don't know and am honestly not interested enough to do the legwork. I think we can agree that the Flames's draft record between 2000–11 is most unspectacular, but how much do misses from 15 years ago actually inform us about the team today? I would say not at all. Also, I suspect one would find that the Flames's record between picks #11–30 is probably pretty average—all teams draft a lot of players in the first round that never make much of an impact.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

It would be a crying shame to spend a bunch if picks to get thr roster to respectability and then sit on your hands and not move picks to improve a team first in their division.

This roster still needs some more depth scoring and goaltending and I would be willing to move heaven and Earth for the right fit to fill those needs.

I really don't think it does.

When, not if imo, Neal gets going, this club is in really good shape as far as offense. And as always Bennett is another part of that, though i hold very very low hope that he ever figures that part of things out.

Goaltending is obviously the one huge question mark and should something acceptable be presented to BT between now and the deadline, he will be all over it.

[kukkudo]

If the big UFA signing this past summer starts producing the Flames will be fine. Honestly think Flames can run away with the division if secondary scoring can take off.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by transplant99

I really don't think it does.

When, not if imo, Neal gets going, this club is in really good shape as far as offense. And as always Bennett is another part of that, though i hold very very low hope that he ever figures that part of things out.

Agreed. The Flames are comfortably a top-ten scoring team, and that is with a fairly average powerplay.

Goaltending is obviously the one huge question mark and should something acceptable be presented to BT between now and the deadline, he will be all over it.

This is the key, here. I think with how Treliving has operated to date the plan is to wait this out and see what emerges from the market. A goalie trade will only occur if the deal provides a clear upgrade to what the Flames already have, otherwise, this is something that will be addressed in the summer—very likely through free agency.

[keenan87]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

So, how does that compare to other NHL teams? I am asking because I don't know and am honestly not interested enough to do the legwork. I think we can agree that the Flames's draft record between 2000–11 is most unspectacular, but how much do misses from 15 years ago actually inform us about the team today? I would say not at all. Also, I suspect one would find that the Flames's record between picks #11–30 is probably pretty average—all teams draft a lot of players in the first round that never make much of an impact.

Honestly, I haven't done the legwork but I might definitely take some time one of these days to look into it. Although my point still stays the same.. if it isn't a surefire deal to draft outside of the Top 10 in the NHL, then you shouldn't discount other options too quickly.

I would typically agree with this statement as it would be unfair to put the blame on the wrong people. However, the Flames have have had the same Director of Amateur Scouting for all of these years. Therefore, it would make sense to look at his track record throughout his tenure especially because he will continue to guide decisions in the future.

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by transplant99

I really don't think it does.

When, not if imo, Neal gets going, this club is in really good shape as far as offense. And as always Bennett is another part of that, though i hold very very low hope that he ever figures that part of things out.

Goaltending is obviously the one huge question mark and should something acceptable be presented to BT between now and the deadline, he will be all over it.

without goaltending, I don't think the offensive depth is good enough.

With goaltending, I think it is. It comes down to which is easier to acquire, a consistent 3rd line producer, a second line finisher, or a goalie who can carry the mail.

There is that missing ingredient to this team, that last bit of ooomph.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

without goaltending, I don't think the offensive depth is good enough.

With goaltending, I think it is. It comes down to which is easier to acquire, a consistent 3rd line producer, a second line finisher, or a goalie who can carry the mail.

There is that missing ingredient to this team, that last bit of ooomph.

Well, not really, because the pieces are arguably all there. Rittich and Smith as a tandem looks like they can provide competent goaltending. There are enough quality forwards with the ability to score already playing in the bottom six, even if they have underproduced to this point. The Flames presently rank in the top-ten in League scoring and in goals allowed—and that is with fairly average special teams. Overall things look very good right now.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

without goaltending, I don't think the offensive depth is good enough.

With goaltending, I think it is. It comes down to which is easier to acquire, a consistent 3rd line producer, a second line finisher, or a goalie who can carry the mail.

There is that missing ingredient to this team, that last bit of ooomph.

That's where Neal comes into it all though....he gets going and that part of the equation is solved.

The G position I just don't see being solved before the off-season unless one of the current "contending" team suffers catastrophic injuries and/or collapses out of the race, no one will be available that is a clear up grade or on an expiring deal.

[Phagoof]

Originally Posted by transplant99

That's where Neal comes into it all though....he gets going and that part of the equation is solved.

The G position I just don't see being solved before the off-season unless one of the current "contending" team suffers catastrophic injuries and/or collapses out of the race, no one will be available that is a clear up grade or on an expiring deal.

He's never going to get going playing with Czarnik/Mangiapane and Ryan. We've done this experiment since the beginning of the year and it's not working, yet we continue to jam the square peg in a round hole.

Neal looked really solid last night vs CHI, he was actually skating and trying to drive his line (not his forte). We need to move him (pretty much impossible unless we take a bad contract) or acquire a play-maker to play with him.

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by transplant99

That's where Neal comes into it all though....he gets going and that part of the equation is solved.

The G position I just don't see being solved before the off-season unless one of the current "contending" team suffers catastrophic injuries and/or collapses out of the race, no one will be available that is a clear up grade or on an expiring deal.

When you compare around the league though I don't think Neal is enough depth to get it done unless the Flames have either elite goaltending or a nashville-esque elite defensive game. That game Vegas put on Calgary after the shellacking is the kind of defensive shutdown scheme I just don't think the Flames are capable of playing.

So if you don't have elite goaltending, and you can't put on Lemaire style defensive wet blanket, you'd better be overwhelming in your offense like Tampa or Washington.

If there is a deal out there this year like there was last year with San Jose and Evander Kane, the Flames had better be all-in on that.

With this roster the way it is, NOW is the time to shop picks. If you're looking at picking in the mid 20s in the first round, MOVE THAT PICK. Attach conditions to it, whatever, but improve the forward ranks of the roster so that if the top line goes cold, Tkachuk has some help out there.

Go all in on your strengths if you're competing. For calgary, that's scoring.

I just don't understand this notion that the Flames shouldn't be moving picks. This is the best time in the last 10 years for Calgary to moving picks. The Flames don't need to draft 20th overall in the next two years if they can make the conference final each year.

[Sylvanfan]

I'd be okay with trading lower end picks to address depth at the deadline.

But this is a team with 2 playoff appearances in 9 years, that might be looking at being in position to have home ice in the first round. Going out and spending high picks to add "depth" would keep the same wheel of mediocrity going.

Team still needs to establish itself as being a playoff team and do it for more than one season before you consider another larger scale move involving picks. They have some good young players, but with what's currnently on the roster...there isn't much left in the pipe line behind that. So time to replenish some of that supply.

[Flash Walken]

^ this is just ass backwards.

The team is competing now, it's the first time they've actually be a legitimately competitive team in maybe a decade. Replenish the pipe so the Flames have players available when Gaudreau's contract is expired and Giordano is 40? I don't want any more players in the pipe if it means first and second round exits.

Gah, it's so counter intuitive. The flames moved picks for players for years when they were terrible, and now that they are good, posters don't want to make the team better.

I just don't understand it.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

When you compare around the league though I don't think Neal is enough depth to get it done unless the Flames have either elite goaltending or a nashville-esque elite defensive game. That game Vegas put on Calgary after the shellacking is the kind of defensive shutdown scheme I just don't think the Flames are capable of playing.

So if you don't have elite goaltending, and you can't put on Lemaire style defensive wet blanket, you'd better be overwhelming in your offense like Tampa or Washington.

If there is a deal out there this year like there was last year with San Jose and Evander Kane, the Flames had better be all-in on that.

With this roster the way it is, NOW is the time to shop picks. If you're looking at picking in the mid 20s in the first round, MOVE THAT PICK. Attach conditions to it, whatever, but improve the forward ranks of the roster so that if the top line goes cold, Tkachuk has some help out there.

Go all in on your strengths if you're competing. For calgary, that's scoring.

I just don't understand this notion that the Flames shouldn't be moving picks. This is the best time in the last 10 years for Calgary to moving picks. The Flames don't need to draft 20th overall in the next two years if they can make the conference final each year.

Yeah i guess it all comes down to expectations.

If you believe this team is that close right now and another offensive finisher is what puts them over the top, then thats the way you go. Im, personally, not of that belief at this point.

I just believe that the G is the one area that they can address this offseason without trading picks or anything major off the roster which allows them to keep their offensive depth, defensive depth AND address the one glaring deficiency.

[flamesfever]

I still think giving away all those picks for Hamilton and Hamonic contributed to lost years in our rebuild. Thank heavens we managed to get ourselves back on track with the Hamilton Ferland trade.

However, when it comes to going for the SC, goal tending is everything, and considering how well this team is doing, trading some picks for the right goalie would not overly concern me. That's providing the Rittick / Smith tandem does not end up showing the potential to go the distance.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by flamesfever

I still think giving away all those picks for Hamilton and Hamonic contributed to lost years in our rebuild. Thank heavens we managed to get ourselves back on track with the Hamilton Ferland trade.

However, when it comes to going for the SC, goal tending is everything, and considering how well this team is doing, trading some picks for the right goalie would not overly concern me. That's providing the Rittick / Smith tandem does not end up showing the potential to go the distance.

The Hamilton trade is one that a team should make when they were in the same position as the Flames. Coming off a playoff run, with 2 2nds, 2 3rds and a 1st they were able to take 3 of those picks to land a 22 year old stud coming out of elc. Hamonic I don’t disagree especially considering the picks were not in excess, were also unknown, and were being moved for a 27 year old.

I agree that the Hamilton-Hurricanes trade helped the rebuild due to adding younger players in return (including a player taken in the 1st round of 2015 taken 10 spots higher than the pick moved for Dougie initially)

Goalies are always a gamble so not sure I would want to move picks for a goalie but depends on who and the cost I suppose. I am okay with the tandem we have now and hope they can keep Rittich and upgrade on Smith this summer.

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by transplant99

Yeah i guess it all comes down to expectations.

If you believe this team is that close right now and another offensive finisher is what puts them over the top, then thats the way you go. Im, personally, not of that belief at this point.

I just believe that the G is the one area that they can address this offseason without trading picks or anything major off the roster which allows them to keep their offensive depth, defensive depth AND address the one glaring deficiency.

I think they are that close.

If you put an Evander Kane or a Matt Duchene or Wayne Simmonds on this roster they are immediate cup favourites in my mind. You add Kevin Hayes or Derrick Brassard or Eric Staal or Adam Henrique and the Flames are legit threats to come out of the west.

[Enoch Root]

I think there is plenty of talent up front, they just need to grow into their skin.

The D is rock solid.

The only issue is goaltending, and I still think the best approach at this point is continue to work with what we have and see how it evolves over the course of the season. If we have concerns at the deadline, then do something. But I think it will be fine.

This is only the first season entering contention for the team. You have to have some patience and see how it plays out. After a full season and (hopefully) playoffs, we will have a lot more information about where the team is, and what needs to improve.

Treliving spent some assets to improve the D with Hamilton and Hamonic - good moves IMO. Now he has made adjustments from that, and spent some more assets, and cap space, to round out the roster. Let's see what we've got.

Also, beyond the current graduating class (Valimaki, Andersson, Kylington, Dube, Mangiapane) there is nothing in the pipeline. Nothing.

So they need to start restocking the shelves. They could even add more picks next year by moving Stone and/or Frolik (but I think this year is too early).

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

^ this is just ass backwards.

The team is competing now, it's the first time they've actually be a legitimately competitive team in maybe a decade. Replenish the pipe so the Flames have players available when Gaudreau's contract is expired and Giordano is 40? I don't want any more players in the pipe if it means first and second round exits.

Gah, it's so counter intuitive. The flames moved picks for players for years when they were terrible, and now that they are good, posters don't want to make the team better.

I just don't understand it.

But picks take time to acquire and grow.

The Flames rebuilt, and came away with a solid young core. So Treliving supplemented that core by acquiring Hamilton and Hamonic. Those trades are now going to start paying dividends, as the team grows into their talent.

Also, through that stretch, the Flames had a stockpile of promising prospects. That's why Treliving went ahead and started supplementing the core - he thought there was enough there. And he was right - it took some tweaking, but the young core is now poised to enter a 'win now' window.

And there are all kinds of assets to work with.

However, we also have to look 3 to 4 years out. There is nothing there, with respect to continuing to supplement the core and keep the team on a plateau. So they need to replenish the cupboards.

It is really bizarre seeing the most vocal person on this site about/against trading picks, suddenly doing a complete 180 and saying we need to start going the other way. I think your disconnect comes down to not considering that picks pay dividends 4 years out, not now. And Treliving nailed it IMO.

[Scornfire]

Originally Posted by David Struch

^ Ruslan Fedotenko 2003.

You're a savage

/AFK to go cry