The 2025 Offseason thread.

[DJones]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

Not sure why the team needed to trade out a forward? They were one of the lowest scoring teams in the league there is no star on the farm team pushing for a spot.

All the RFA contracts were solid. I agree with all but Zary I think that was very good. He didn’t deserve term and they still have a RFA negotiation with him so in many ways it was the right call.

I wanted Andersson gone at the draft but it didn’t happen and my only complaint on the offseason. It was boring for sure but hard to say it was bad unless you are on team “win immediately” which I do not think has any rational people on that wagon today

We have way too many wingers on the team. Klapka hardly has a spot and people want to see some more young guys.

Is it possible Honzek and Klapka are worse than who we trade away? Ya sure, screw it though. Get the assets and lets see what we have.

[Calgary4LIfe]

I would bet that Honzek cracks the team this year - and stays on the team. Klapka in my mind has made it already, so it is a spot for him to lose. Gridin is also a kid that may make it - Huska seemed to really like him and stated last camp that he thinks Gridin will be legitimately pushing for a spot this season, and apparently he has tested well and looks great.


I think the Flames do have too many forwards. Know what's worse, however? Not having enough. Players who show that they made the team might have to wait it out a bit until room is made (which will make some posters upset, I assume). Conroy will make the room as needed.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by DJones

We have way too many wingers on the team. Klapka hardly has a spot and people want to see some more young guys.

Is it possible Honzek and Klapka are worse than who we trade away? Ya sure, screw it though. Get the assets and lets see what we have.

Which specific forwards do you think they should have dealt factoring in contracts and trade control?

[DJones]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

Which specific forwards do you think they should have dealt factoring in contracts and trade control?

Coleman is the obvious one.

Farabee and Sharangovich I don't even know if you could trade. Farabee if anyone would take him. Shara I'd say wait, I think he'll turn it around.

Retain half on Lomberg and send him somewhere. I think we have enough depth to play some skill on the 4th line.

[Enoch Root]

The Flames have kids that are pushing for spots. And they have vets that can be moved.

This will allow them to look to move some vets on their own terms (no rush), while at the same time letting the kids over-ripe a bit in the AHL and play together and build chemistry, then bring the kids up after the vets have been traded.

This is the best situation possible, and somehow, fans keep complaining about it

[Calgary4LIfe]

Another way to look at this is, who exactly hasn't received a fair shot? Sure, not everyone has gotten a look, but most have. Everyone that has made a big push ended up getting a look over the last few years, and even made the team. I think the only one you can really make a case for would be Poirier who had a slow start to his AHL season last year, but made significant strides throughout the season. Even then, I don't think he was 'owed' a spot.



Conroy hasn't signed any vets this year to block kids. I would be shocked if Coleman isn't traded towards the deadline - though he would be a vet I wouldn't mind if the Flames re-sign as he provides a lot of leadership.

[Enoch Root]

There are 13 forwards that have jobs to lose, so unless they start with 8 defensemen (which is a real possibility, until Andersson is traded), there is already one available spot.

I think Coleman and Lomberg are both trade candidates. And I don't think they would hesitate to have Costco eating popcorn, if there are kids deserving a spot.

So that is up to 4 spots right there. In other words, no problem whatsoever.

And that is without injuries.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by DJones

Coleman is the obvious one.

Farabee and Sharangovich I don't even know if you could trade. Farabee if anyone would take him. Shara I'd say wait, I think he'll turn it around.

Retain half on Lomberg and send him somewhere. I think we have enough depth to play some skill on the 4th line.

Lomberg is a perfect guy to trade at the deadline but seems really important in the room. I think I voted him my least favourite flames last summer but the guy clearly plays a role on and off the ice
Coleman also will get you more at the deadline and has trade protection
The other guys you are selling low on

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

The Flames have kids that are pushing for spots. And they have vets that can be moved.

It’s not easy to move veterans with significant contracts mid-season. The NHL is becoming a league where rosters are more or less set in the off-season.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

The Flames have kids that are pushing for spots. And they have vets that can be moved.

This will allow them to look to move some vets on their own terms (no rush), while at the same time letting the kids over-ripe a bit in the AHL and play together and build chemistry, then bring the kids up after the vets have been traded.

This is the best situation possible, and somehow, fans keep complaining about it

Generations of fans complaining about it.

Back to when the site launched.

[D as in David]

I'm old enough to remember the days when teams that ripened their players in the minor leagues were considered well run. Detroit comes to mind.

[Major Major]

Over book the plane. These guys will play.

The goal should not be to over ripen anyone though. When you know a guy is ready, find a way.

[UKflames]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Generations of fans complaining about it.

Back to when the site launched.

The complaints are a bye product of the shiny new toy syndrome a lot of fans suffer with. Always needing someone new to cheer for, as if they are bored with whoever is already on the team.

[YyjFlames]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Generations of fans complaining about it.

Back to when the site launched.

lol… In the old guys’ defence, didnt the site launch right after Calgary lost Matrin St. Louis to Tampa? Complaining about what happens when the Flames don’t give guys chances is kind of baked into the site’s DNA.

[saillias]

Originally Posted by D as in David

I'm old enough to remember the days when teams that ripened their players in the minor leagues were considered well run. Detroit comes to mind.

It was really only Detroit and it was a weird strategy. That Detroit era has gone through some narrative shifts since as well with Jim Nill's drafting starting to receive more credit for building that contender. Ken Holland isn't really held in such high regard these days and Babcock is completely toxic.

[Goriders]

Originally Posted by Major Major

Over book the plane. These guys will play.

The goal should not be to over ripen anyone though. When you know a guy is ready, find a way.

They have some dmen that are starting to over ripen. If there’s no room I would trade them for forwards if possible.

[shutout]

Originally Posted by DJones

Retain half on Lomberg and send him somewhere. I think we have enough depth to play some skill on the 4th line.

This quote shows that not everyone understands how to build teams and how important certain individuals are to creating and building culture and maintaining optimism in a group regardless of what happens.

Maybe Lomberg ends up only playing every second or third game, but what he brings to the dressing room and to the bench is so much more than fourth line depth.

[gvitaly]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1967038231893172522

[Hackey]

Off season golf with the boys doesn't really say much.

I honestly don't think he will be a distraction though. Everyone understands the business. He's in a contract year and has an incentive to play his best. The Flames don't have huge expectations either. Hopefully he plays well and the Flames get a good package.

[heep223]

How could it not be distracting. It definitely is an overhang when a core guy and top pairing d man could be traded at any minute.

That’s not to say it’s anyone’s fault or that it’s wrong.