You're the GM - missed playoff edition

[Parallex]

If we're being realistic here the Flames are in a tight spot... no cap space and some functionally unmoveable contracts so most changes will have to be internal. Not much can really be done without a rebuild.

Sutter: Gone
Goalie Coach: Gone
Assistant Coaches: TBD
Richie, Lucic, Lewis: Gone
Vladar: Gone
Kylington: Go to Sweden and figure out if he's going to be good to go next season.
Captain: Name one.

The biggest issue this season was goaltending and shot quality . If we assume that we can't move Markstrom then we need to move Vladar. Wolf has nothing left to prove in the AHL and he gives us at least a chance to have starter quality goaltending if Markstrom can't figure his #### out. Hopefully a new goaltending coach can help him figure his #### out. I like Dan Vladar... but we can't have a guy that's a pure backup if Markstrom isn't fixed. We need a chance at something better.

I have to believe that a coaching change will lift shot quality. So that should take care of that.

[Macho0978]

Originally Posted by bugsy

I'd keep Andersson, Lindholm, Tanev, Weegar and Coleman around. If they wanted to be around. And that's about it. Scorched earth on the rest. Play the kids, and go get more. I realize this ain't gonna happen.

I actually think it might happen because the Flames are going to be forced into it happening.

IMO everyone should be looked at as a potential player to be traded. Other than the prospects. If you can get a boat load for Rasmus then you have to consider it. He might have the most value in a trade right now.

But unless the value isn't great I would trade these players first:

Backlund
Toffoli
Tanev
Vladar

If you get good returns on these 4, you could avoid a rebuild. Huberdeau has to be better than this. Kadri might be better next year too. Markstrom can't play worse. Other than Kadri, if you move out the above 4 and keep everyone else this team isn't really that old and if you look at the age of when contracts expire, really Kadri is the only concerning contract.

Backlund out Zary in
Toffoli out Pelleter in
Tanev out Kylington in
Vladar out Wolf in
Lewis out Ruzicka in

You still have Coronato and whoever we draft at this draft as top prospects. You also likely have extra picks in 2024

Of course, Lindholm and Hanifin probably want out too if you move the top 4. But if that is the case this team has no choice but to do a full rebuild. If they want to stay, this team isn't that bad or that old.

[Geeoff]

Originally Posted by Parallex

If we're being realistic here the Flames are in a tight spot... no cap space and some functionally unmoveable contracts so most changes will have to be internal. Not much can really be done without a rebuild.

Sutter: Gone
Goalie Coach: Gone
Assistant Coaches: TBD
Richie, Lucic, Lewis: Gone
Vladar: Gone
Kylington: Go to Sweden and figure out if he's going to be good to go next season.
Captain: Name one.

The biggest issue this season was goaltending and shot quality . If we assume that we can't move Markstrom then we need to move Vladar. Wolf has nothing left to prove in the AHL and he gives us at least a chance to have starter quality goaltending if Markstrom can't figure his #### out. Hopefully a new goaltending coach can help him figure his #### out. I like Dan Vladar... but we can't have a guy that's a pure backup if Markstrom isn't fixed. We need a chance at something better.

I have to believe that a coaching change will lift shot quality. So that should take care of that.

On the bright side, the Wranglers were a great team this year, so maybe inserting some of them into the Flames line-up next season will help.

I believe turning the team around will be a patient process, given the organizational philosophy of "going for it" and the long-term contracts but you can still slowly accrue organizational depth and give young players opportunities.

[Fan69]

Mentioned these moves in the mini rebuild thread and I still think that we can right this ship quickly.
we are probably married to Kadri, huby, Marky.
unless a smashing or package comes along, not to mention we still need to field a team next year, Dooby, Eat bread, Coleman, Duehr.
not back Lewis, Looch.
Backs I would keep granted he has not told management he wants out.
Lindholm has to be traded as we cannot commit to both Backs and him as retirement contracts. Lindholms value will be sky high plain and simple.

Tanev first and second or b or slightly higher prospect.
Lindholm. first, second, good roster player, b+ prospect.

drop value to get a top six prospect or player under 25 to fill the lindholm gap immediately just not sure who could fit that bill. I think we get forced into firsts which I am fine with.

draft three firsts and the first round has a smorgasboard of centers.
could look along the lines of Heidt ( probably not though ) Wood C
pick two Ritchie C
pick three Simashev D

I mean how would our outlook on the team be if fighting for spots this year was Wood, Ritchie, Simashev, Coronato, Wolf, Zary, Stormgren looking to fill out roster spots?

Line up
Huby kadri toff ( deadline deal to my mind)
mangi, backs, coronato (stormgren, yes I think he has a legit shot)
Pelts, (Wood, Ritchie, Rucicka, dube), duehr
fourth line any mix of players but use our existing assets or get a fixture in one of the trade returns.

Andy and Hans
Weegs and Zads
STetch and Ok

To me that line up doesnt look much different than this years that failed yes I agree. but does it honestly look much worse as far as line up? to me not really not to mention that if either of our goalies had been even close to a league average 910 we would almost certainly be in the playoffs.

Yes losing lindholm will hurt but we can bandaid the hurt with a skilled young center at the draft with his pick to replace him not to mention what else he brings in; we just cant contine to commit retirement contracts.

Why doe this? legit question but almost certainly team wont rebuild.
its too short of high end skill? I expect huby to look more like huby and I expect the sulk to disapear with kadri as a new coach is coming in that will actually play young players. I see a faster, more skilled line (Just think of 18 year old Wood making his debut? ) up through the line up with some key vets on all lines to mentor the younger players.

The right coach with skilled young players littered through the line up could make this a playoff team with out too much trouble. Dube continues to improve, the defence is just entering their primes, the goaltending couldn't be worse could it? Coronato, Wolf, Zary, probably at least one of the three draft picks all look to mix into the team next year.

to me the biggest question is can you get a center that will push the top six? without it being a draft pick? hard to do no doubt. however adding a skilled young center and a couple of skilled wingers with some other dimensions to their game could make this team look and perform utterly different next year.

[wretched34]

First, complete overhaul of the coaching staff, no-one from the Flames coaching staff returns next year.

Re-Sign Stecher and Duehr.
Attempt to re-sign Phillips by offering a 1 way deal.
Let Lucic, Ritchie, Lewis and Stone walk.

Adress next years UFA's:
Backlund - make him available at the draft - picks and prospects preferred
Lindholm - get a feel for desire to stay, look to re-sign long term, if he's not for it, becomes TDL bait
Toffoli - same as Backlund
Hanifin - Same as Lindholm
Tanev - Same as Backlund
Zadorov - offer short term extension, 2-3 years at $3M or less, ride out the season

Trade Markstrom, use up to $2M in retention as incentive, or buy him out.

Since Huberdeau and Kadri are the future of the offense, need to build around them.
Huberdeau needs North/South shooters. Lindholm is the best current option as his center, and then a Left Shot RW.
Kadri needs speedy wingers that can retrieve missed shots and rebounds.
Dube should be the 3C, pair him with other hard nosed diggers who are responsible defensively.

Huberdeau(A)-Lindholm(C)-Mangiapane/Pelletier
Mangiapane/Pelletier-Kadri(A)-Phillips
Coleman-Dube-Coronato/Duehr
Ruzicka-Zary-Duehr/Coronato

Hanifin-Andersson(A)
Kylington-Weegar
Zadorov-Stecher

Wolf/Vladar

[Ashes]

My choice as Flames GM would be to hedge our bets on this 2023 super draft and get as many lottery tickets as possible for rounds 1 & 2. If we hit on 3/4 of those picks and those players reach their potential I think we are looking good for the future and can turn this thing around pretty quickly.

Trade: Toffoli, Backlund, Vladar, Hanifin, Mangiapane

Returns: Two 1st Round Picks (2023), Three 2nd Round Picks (2023), 2 Up and Coming Prospects or Roster Players with lower AAV's

Re-Sign: Stetcher, Lewis

Fire Sutter, most likely hire Huska or Love - cheaper internal options.

I think Dube, Mangiapane, Coronato and Pelletier are all similar: undersized gritty wingers who should provide similar levels of offence so I think we should part with Mangiapane who makes the most $$, and is the oldest of the bunch. I think especially if we retained half his salary he would be a huge add for a playoff contender at next year's deadline, but I'm sure we'd find a buyer this off-season as well.

Hanifin is a tough decision, but if Kylington comes back I think you pull the trigger and trade Hanifin as his value will be high and I believe Kylington can reproduce Hanifin's offence by playing a full season with Tanev and maybe getting some reps on PP2.

2023 Draft: Pick the best players available but make sure to draft at least 2 centers in the first round to set us up for the future and hope one of them turns into a top line C. BPA for the other picks

Next season:

Huberdeau - Lindholm - Dube
Pelletier - Kadri - Coronato
UFA - Zary - Coleman
Ruzicka - Lewis - Dueher

Andersson - Weegar
Kylington - Tanev
Zadorov - Stetcher

Markstrom
Wolf

UFA's should be low-cost additions that add toughness and experience to help the group along - might consider bringing Lewis back on a one-year deal.

It might be a season of pain next year with this lineup, but the cap space freed up from trading all those roster players will be useful the following season and beyond, by then we should have an idea of which players from the 23 draft are trending towards being contributors sooner rather than later and we can use that cap space to be competitive while some/all of them are on ELC's. Also the cap is projected to go way up next off-season.

My GM approach is risky I know, but f*** it lets build through the draft for once - I think our scouts have earned a shot at nailing a bunch of 1st/2nd round picks and I'd honestly trust them with this opportunity.

[CFO]

I'm in the trade Dube boat. I think what you see is what you get.

[wretched34]

Originally Posted by CFO

I'm in the trade Dube boat. I think what you see is what you get.

But he provides what's expected for the cost.

There are 30 players with 45-50 points, and only 4 players (Bunting, Tippett, Johansson, Sprong) not on ELC's , and 2 on ELC's (Raymond, Maccelli) that are paid less than Dube.

If you can get fair market value on the majority of your contracts, you can build a contender.

Coleman makes more than double Dube to provide less offensively. Experience holds value, but not that much in my eyes. Ultimately points win games.