The Athletic: LeBrun: Flames in a tough spot

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by gelinator

Honestly Phaneuf wouldn't be a bad pickup. He could put some depth on the blue line and hype up the boys. Realistically, at this point in the season we need some seasoned veterans to lead the boys and get us into the playoffs.

I see we're still in 2003

[mile]

The only intrigue to having Phaneuf here for 2 months would be the interviews and seeing how he interacts with the current roster.

But watching him play in 2020, all broken-down would be sad to watch. He's done.

[bigpete]

No offense, but I can't believe there's actually discussion about bringing in Phaneuf. What a terrible terrible suggestion. Guy hasn't been a capable NHL defenseman in years and he hasn't even played in like a year.

Might as well see what Regehr is up to? He's still around right? Maybe Gelinas could strap on the skates in time for the stretch run.

[camm13]

Originally Posted by bigpete

No offense, but I can't believe there's actually discussion about bringing in Phaneuf. What a terrible terrible suggestion. Guy hasn't been a capable NHL defenseman in years and he hasn't even played in like a year.

Might as well see what Regehr is up to? He's still around right? Maybe Gelinas could strap on the skates in time for the stretch run.

It's probably the same people who suggested bringing back Iginla, when he hadn't played for 2 years.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by camm13

It's probably the same people who suggested bringing back Iginla, when he hadn't played for 2 years.

Lanny, Theo, Otto, Gelinas, Berezan, Corbet, Pepper, Commodore, Sarich, Warrener, are all around town. Time for a rebuild.

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Lanny, Theo, Otto, Gelinas, Berezan, Corbet, Pepper, Commodore, Sarich, Warrener, are all around town. Time for a rebuild.

They will look great in the retros

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by DeluxeMoustache

They will look great in the retros

Frankly, Gelinas and maybe Otto look like they could still play.

[Dragomir]

Even though I am on team rebuild I would also be ok with standing pat at the deadline as a sign of respect to the old core, mostly Gio. We will lose out on assets but if we make it we will likely play the Oil or Canucks and we need to do some damage to them.

[868904]

I feel like the only thing to do now is a low cost acquisition of a RW for Gaudreau and Monahan, which would free Lindholm up to centre Tkachuk and Mangiapane and create a super shutdown line with Backlund-Ryan.

A 3rd round pick for a guy like Craig Smith (unlikely) or Wayne Simmonds (likely) and hope they find some chemistry with Gaudreau-Monahan could be all they need. If they can spark Gaudreau, that changes the entire outlook for this team.

Mangiapane/Lindholm/Tkachuk- established two way line
Gaudreau/Monahan/Simmonds - a right shot power forward maybe replicate the success Ferland had with these guys
Lucic/Bennett/Dube - can this energy line keep going?
Jankowski/Backlund/Ryan - I think this could be a really good line that could dominate other bottom six lines but also can be used to shutdown the oppositions top lines

I really like the depth and balance of these lines.

[TheScorpion]

The difference between Ferland and Simmonds is that Ferland actually had very good speed. Simmonds, unless I am very much mistaken, is not exactly generously bestowed with that attribute.

[1qqaaz]

Originally Posted by 868904

I feel like the only thing to do now is a low cost acquisition of a RW for Gaudreau and Monahan, which would free Lindholm up to centre Tkachuk and Mangiapane and create a super shutdown line with Backlund-Ryan.

A 3rd round pick for a guy like Craig Smith (unlikely) or Wayne Simmonds (likely) and hope they find some chemistry with Gaudreau-Monahan could be all they need. If they can spark Gaudreau, that changes the entire outlook for this team.

Mangiapane/Lindholm/Tkachuk- established two way line
Gaudreau/Monahan/Simmonds - a right shot power forward maybe replicate the success Ferland had with these guys
Lucic/Bennett/Dube - can this energy line keep going?
Jankowski/Backlund/Ryan - I think this could be a really good line that could dominate other bottom six lines but also can be used to shutdown the oppositions top lines

I really like the depth and balance of these lines.

The Flames' biggest weakness in the playoffs was a lack of speed. I don't see how Simmonds with Gaudreau and Monahan fixes this problem.

This is why I am extremely skeptical that anyone over 30 years old can even help the team become better in the playoffs. At least not on the front end.

[Snuffleupagus]

Would love Anthony Mantha on this team, big, skilled and plays RW, Detroit has big problems at D for next year. I wonder if Kylington, 2nd and a prospect could pry him out.

[Flames1217]

Originally Posted by Snuffleupagus

Would love Anthony Mantha on this team, big, skilled and plays RW, Detroit has big problems at D for next year. I wonder if Kylington, 2nd and a prospect could pry him out.

Detroit would want a first ++.

No way you get Mantha for that.

[Joborule]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

I think the reason to not deal Brodie is because a replacement is not as easy to find as people think it is. Yeah, people want to give Giordano credit for all of Brodie's success but in my opinion, Giordano has looked cooked this season and Brodie's been our best defenseman. Do you want to go into next season without TJ Brodie? I don't foresee any better or equal options on the FA market. Get him extended. There are only ten defensemen this season with 900+ 5v5 minutes played, xGF% > 51.5%, GF% > 50%, and OZone% < 50% for a reason. Brodie plays legitimately tough minutes. Even if he has the benefit of a good partner in Giordano.

It's another thing for a UFA to be a replacement level piece like Hamonic or Glencross or Russell or Stone. Sell Sell Sell.

Is it a guarantee Brodie will resign though? And the price isn't too high to do so since he is a entering his 30s? There's been rumours of Flames wanting to resign Hamonic, but none of Brodie. Reason may be that Treliving feels he can't afford him. Could also be he feels Brodie brings in more of the Flames offensive needs than Hamonic can.

Brodie isn't easy to replace, but he can possibly bring in players/picks/prospects that the team has had difficulty acquiring themselves. And the Flames do have the shot of resigning him in the off season still if he loves Calgary enough. Flames could get assets of him, and still have him on the roster for the long term should he return as a FA. Even if he doesn't return, it'll give even more opportunity for the young defensive crop to grow, and possibly replace his role.

[Toonage]

Brodie is probably thrilled to negotiate with the team that tried to deal him earlier in the year.

Didn't want me then, now asking me to take a home town discount? Sure!

He's gone.

[Joborule]

Originally Posted by Toonage

Brodie is probably thrilled to negotiate with the team that tried to deal him earlier in the year.

Didn't want me then, now asking me to take a home town discount? Sure!

He's gone.

He better be if he isn't re-signed by the deadline. I feel it would be another mistake by Treliving if he doesn't get something from a player that isn't going to be here at the start of next season.

You have to make tough decisions to be a good GM. This is one of those instances.

[Toonage]

I agree. A huge part of being the GM is navigating through these tough roads. Dealing with injuries, contract extensions, long term planning.

Its easy to sign your RFAs. Its easy to throw money at UFAs. When the rubber hits the road however, we see what a person's worth is.

Clock's ticking.

Treliving is supposed to be on the Fan 960 this morning. Should be an interesting interview.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Joborule

He better be if he isn't re-signed by the deadline. I feel it would be another mistake by Treliving if he doesn't get something from a player that isn't going to be here at the start of next season.

You have to make tough decisions to be a good GM. This is one of those instances.

I'm of the mindset if you have any expiring contracts at the deadline you should be selling unless special circumstances. The team hasn't missed Frolik at all and while they would miss Brodie, a GM has to have some faith in the organizational depth he's amassed or maybe he needs to look in the mirror. That said there's probably a lot of politics with ownership wanting a couple of home playoff dates so it seems the practical course is to just ride things out and live with the fallout of losing both Hamonic and Brodie for nothing while having over $15 million tied up in Lucic for the next three seasons. Once again the Flames are in a tough spot because of self inflicted wounds.

[TheScorpion]

Frolik and Brodie are assets of a ludicrously different magnitude, though, and I know that you recognize that but at the same time I think the Flames' organizational depth on defense is very poorly set up to account for his imminent departure

The Flames have like two right-handed defensemen signed for next season. Is the plan to sign another couple guys in free agency? Why would they sacrifice the great fit that Brodie currently provides for a gigantic question mark with the potential to blow up like the Neal/Raymond/Brouwer/Hiller UFA acquisitions did?

[Toonage]

That brings me back to why Bennett ought to be moved for a RHD. Especially as he's riding a hot streak.