[Trade] Flames trade Zadorov to Canucks for 24 5th and 26 3rd

[The Fonz]

Meh for meh

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Couldn't they have cut cap somewhere else if the #1 goal was creating flexibility to recall more young players, and instead maximized the assets coming in return by retaining a little salary for 2/3 of a season?

There's more than one way to accomplish the same thing.

Sounds like Conroy was addressing the most immediate needs: Shed cap for farm transactions etc and get Zadorov away from the locker room, the cost being futures that don't help for a while and dealing to a rival.

Still pretty meh about it, but feels like they took a discount on the return in a situation where they had lots of bidders all because they got tunnel vision around the shedding cap aspect.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by TrentCrimmIndependent

Couldn't they have cut cap somewhere else if the #1 goal was creating flexibility to recall more young players, and instead maximized the assets coming in return by retaining a little salary for 2/3 of a season?

You can only retain salary on a maximum of three contracts. This leaves them the ability to retain on Lindholm, Tanev, and Hanifin, all of whom are much more valuable trade pieces than Zadorov. I'd rather maximize those assets. Using retention to turn a 2nd-round pick into a 1st, or a meh prospect into a good prospect, is better than using it to turn a 2026 3rd into a 2024 3rd. Conroy specifically said that all the bids were in the range of a 3rd-round pick; nobody was offering a 2nd.

The Zadorov trade is a unique situation because of the Perry termination. Chicago had $4 million burning a hole in their pocket and Vancouver pounced. Then Conroy pounced on Vancouver, and now that money is in the Flames' pocket. Scuttlebutt is that the Canucks might have spent the cap room on Ethan Bear if this trade hadn't happened, so it was a one-time opportunity.

Still pretty meh about it, but feels like they took a discount on the return in a situation where they had lots of bidders all because they got tunnel vision around the shedding cap aspect.

They absolutely needed to shed cap in the short term, and the only way to do that was to trade away a higher-priced player. Conroy mentioned that he hasn't even been able to call up any more players from the Wranglers because the team was so tight up against the cap. They no longer need a 21-man roster to make things work, so there is a lot more freedom to call up prospects from game to game.

If not Zadorov, who do you think Conroy should have traded to make that happen?

I expect the plan now is to call up several Wranglers at various points over the coming weeks, and see who plays well enough to take a regular roster spot. At that point, Conroy will know if he can trade the remaining UFAs strictly for futures, or if he needs to get roster players back (especially on D).

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by TrentCrimmIndependent

Couldn't they have cut cap somewhere else if the #1 goal was creating flexibility to recall more young players, and instead maximized the assets coming in return by retaining a little salary for 2/3 of a season?

There's more than one way to accomplish the same thing.

Sounds like Conroy was addressing the most immediate needs: Shed cap for farm transactions etc and get Zadorov away from the locker room, the cost being futures that don't help for a while and dealing to a rival.

Still pretty meh about it, but feels like they took a discount on the return in a situation where they had lots of bidders all because they got tunnel vision around the shedding cap aspect.

You can only retain on 3 players so retaining on Zadorov doesn't seem like a great move

Heck they might retain on a player that never even plays for them and can pick up a pick that way

[Snuffleupagus]

I was told there was four teams that wanted Zadorov with likely a better return but all of them needed retention and as stated that wasn't a good idea for the Flames to make future better deals, Vancouver traded Beauvillier for a 5th in order for them to take on Z's full contract.

In the end Vancouver paid a 3rd and Beauvillier for likely 3/4 a season for Zadorov.

[dammage79]

I was thinking that the potential for a Markstrom trade would require one of the salary retention slots.

So 3 contracts to retain salary:
1 for Lindholm
1 for Hanifin
1 open for either Tanev or Markstrom if a deal materialized.

Then again if Conroy is seeking a sign and trade for Hanifjn, then perhaps they don't need retention on his contract. But he'd be a deadline deal for sure.

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Originally Posted by Snuffleupagus

I was told there was four teams that wanted Zadorov with likely a better return but all of them needed retention and as stated that wasn't a good idea for the Flames to make future better deals, Vancouver traded Beauvillier for a 5th in order for them to take on Z's full contract.

In the end Vancouver paid a 3rd and Beauvillier for likely 3/4 a season for Zadorov.

And they're doing cartwheels and ready to crown Alvin or whatever GM of the year over there lol.

That should age well. I give it a week before they settle into the reality that the guy might bring you out of your seat for a hit, but won't move the needle on your d-corps.

The hype for Nikita was real (impressive given what he is). But does he live up to said hype? Highly doubtful.

[butterfly]

The Canucks.

Lol.

If they make the playoffs they are up against Las Vegas or Los Angeles, who will take care of them. And even if they beat one of them, the other one will be waiting in the wings.

Zadorov isn't signing there unless they overpay. Thanks for the picks!

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by TrentCrimmIndependent

And they're doing cartwheels and ready to crown Alvin or whatever GM of the year over there lol.

That should age well. I give it a week before they settle into the reality that the guy might bring you out of your seat for a hit, but won't move the needle on your d-corps.

The hype for Nikita was real (impressive given what he is). But does he live up to said hype? Highly doubtful.

How quickly opinions change. You indicated a few weeks back that he was close in value to Hanifin, and that in any trade for Zadorov, a first was a must.

[Bonded]

Originally Posted by The Cobra

How quickly opinions change. You indicated a few weeks back that he was close in value to Hanifin, and that in any trade for Zadorov, a first was a must.

I never thought he’d get a 1st but I was pretty sure someone would overpay for him with a 2nd and B prospect just like I thought someone will overpay for Tanev with a 1st. Puts a damper on that thought as well

[Nelson]

The return is not great, but I’m not really disappointed. I’m not a huge fan of Zadorov because I think Zadorov’s a boom or bust player. I think his salary is quite high for a player that I wouldn’t want playing top-4 minutes. I think in this salary cap environment, you’re not going to get a lot.

Let’s see what Solovyov can do.

Lastly, I’m excited because this seems to indicate that the Flames may be willing to sell their UFAs, which I think is the correct path.

[VilleN]

It's a very similar return to what we paid for him. Can someone explain how this makes it a "horrible return"? We netted a 5th round pick and cap space in the entirety of the exchange... not bad asset management to me... neutral at worst.

[TOfan]

Originally Posted by Snuffleupagus

I was told there was four teams that wanted Zadorov with likely a better return but all of them needed retention and as stated that wasn't a good idea for the Flames to make future better deals, Vancouver traded Beauvillier for a 5th in order for them to take on Z's full contract.

In the end Vancouver paid a 3rd and Beauvillier for likely 3/4 a season for Zadorov.

I wonder how close the Flames and Leafs are on a Tanev trade, retention included. I bet Conroy has a pretty good idea of what they would offer.

To damage79’s point, that retention could be used for a Marksron deal though….

Retention on Hanifin and Lindholm seems like an inevitability. Conroy even addressing this (not retaining on Zadorov) seems like the Flames are wide open on that topic.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by TOfan

I wonder how close the Flames and Leafs are on a Tanev trade, retention included. I bet Conroy has a pretty good idea of what they would offer.

To damage79’s point, that retention could be used for a Marksron deal though….

Retention on Hanifin and Lindholm seems like an inevitability. Conroy even addressing this (not retaining on Zadorov) seems like the Flames are wide open on that topic.

Conroy needs to drive a hard bargain if he's dealing with the Leafs considering the trade history between the organizations that is slanted in the Leafs direction. Time for the Flames to make out good on a trade with the Leafs. They need a defenseman more than the Flames need to deal with them. Tanev should fetch considerably more than Zadorov considering what he brings to the table. Personally I would ask for Knies and not back down as he's the type of player that fits into what the Flames are supposedly looking for. If the wizard isn't prepared to part with Knies, Conny should move on as there will be other teams with a lot of interest in Tanev as he's exactly the type of player you want in the playoffs.

[Iniggywetrust]

Remember when we had to trade a 1st round pick to clear 6.5 mil. Gaining almost 4 mil in cap space is a huge win. Just have to use it.

[Robbob]

I just kind of wished they waited until after Saturday to make the trade.

[Macindoc]

Originally Posted by TrentCrimmIndependent

Couldn't they have cut cap somewhere else if the #1 goal was creating flexibility to recall more young players, and instead maximized the assets coming in return by retaining a little salary for 2/3 of a season?

There's more than one way to accomplish the same thing.

Sounds like Conroy was addressing the most immediate needs: Shed cap for farm transactions etc and get Zadorov away from the locker room, the cost being futures that don't help for a while and dealing to a rival.

Still pretty meh about it, but feels like they took a discount on the return in a situation where they had lots of bidders all because they got tunnel vision around the shedding cap aspect.

There are a maximum of 3 retention spots. If they want to retain on the salaries of their more valuable UFAs, they couldn’t retain on Zadorov. A 50% retention on Tanev at the TDL will be much more valuable.

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by Jay Random

It looks to me like a quietly good snooker shot.

All Conroy did on this shot was sink a red ball, so no biggie one way or the other. The question is if he can sink a colour ball next for some serious points, and I'd say he gave himself a really good leave.

Three available retention slots, three top UFAs to sell, and wiggle room under the cap: This situation has serious potential.

The only way I will change my mind on “underwhelming return” is if they use all 3 retention spots on later trades I have my serious doubts that they will. I’ll also add it better not be 5-10 % used if used. If they are doing it, go all in and do the max allowed.

[madmike]

I really don’t understand why people are so upset. Zadorov isn’t anything special. He’s a solid number 5 who plays a physical game but also consistently makes defensive blunders (hence why he’s a 5). A 2nd would have been nice, but with an expiring contract and no retention it wasn’t realistic.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Robbob

I just kind of wished they waited until after Saturday to make the trade.

I actually like it this way as it makes the game more intriguing. I don't exactly think he's that good that he will alter the course of a game. If he wants to take cheap shots and take penalties then so be it.