Interesting piece in the Athletic by LeBrun who sat down with Fitz. Basically said he is still in the hunt for vet #1 goalie offseason and would like to get tougher on the wing. I wonder if there is an appetite for a Markstrom/Coleman package in the offseason. Maybe that is the extra piece to get a Mercer included in the package back.
I think both could be done independently.
There is an extensive list of tough UFA wingers this year who could be had for free. Some examples are : Cal Clutterbuck, Cole Smith, Dakota Joshua and Liam O'Brien.
Jersey's top 6 is already filled out for next year so I am assuming the winger Fitz is alluding to would be bottom 6. If the could upgrade that need for free I could easily see them doing that.
Markstrom is still more than likely the target they have in mind. I would continue to ask for Mercer but would accept a first if it is completely impossible but the retention would pretty much have to drop at that point in time.
Mangiapane can be dealt for a LHD. Similar age group would be preferable.
Last edited by Flames1217; 03-25-2024 at 08:31 PM.
Pospisil. I like him but I think he might have a limited ceiling and he's always going to be a health concern. Calgary doesn't need that grit of his until they are ready to contend. That's when you add the grit.
He might be the Ferland in this deal.
If I am not mistaken, I believe Sec mentioned that Fitz wanted Pospisil along with Markstrom. If that is what it takes to get Mercer or their first (or both?), I would pack his bags myself.
Love Pospisil, but I suspect he is not long for this league due to his concussion sensitivity.
I would look at trading Mangiapane and bringing in Jake DeBrusk.
Wouldn't object to Dumba, either, but the Flames have way too many defenders as it is. No idea why they gave up a pick for Okhotiuk.
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You can never have too many defense prospects. And if you drafted Okhotiuk with a 5th, you'd be very happy with the pick
But when you already have Solovyov, Grushnikov, Kuznetsov, Miromanov, Pachal, Poirier, Jurmo, and Brzustewicz? Just feels extraneous. I could see them losing him on waivers within a couple years.
As for timbit's question about DeBrusk ... I wouldn't give him any more than 3-4 years, although I'd probably be willing to offer him more $$$ than any other team would have room for, given the Flames' overwhelming amount of cap space. Flames need guys to play in this transitional period who they can flip down the line. Similar to when they signed Hudler to a four-year deal in 2012. I don't see any way Mangiapane stays in Calgary (I think they should trade him at the draft) and DeBrusk would offer some continuity there -- and I'd be curious to see what he could do in a bigger role.
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Why the heck would Jake Debrusk want to sign here whan this team is going to be dog shirt for near future.
Only reason would be a downright overpay.
The Flames are probably going to be going after mid-tier free agents. DeBrusk is in that tier, along with guys like Duclair, Zucker, and Mantha. It's a pretty saturated market.
DeBrusk also actively wanted out of Boston before, despite them being one of the best teams in the league, because he was unhappy with his usage. I don't think that'd be a problem here.
Sign him for four years, give him plum minutes, and look to trade him with retention with a year or two left on his deal. I'd do the same with any of those guys I mentioned, albeit maybe with a bit less term.
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The Flames are probably going to be going after mid-tier free agents. DeBrusk is in that tier, along with guys like Duclair, Zucker, and Mantha. It's a pretty saturated market.
DeBrusk also actively wanted out of Boston before, despite them being one of the best teams in the league, because he was unhappy with his usage. I don't think that'd be a problem here.
Sign him for four years, give him plum minutes, and look to trade him with retention with a year or two left on his deal. I'd do the same with any of those guys I mentioned, albeit maybe with a bit less term.
Just a hunch, I bet they sign none of those mentioned.
Betting that something won't happen historically has much better odds but it also makes for far less interesting discussion.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by timbit
Just a hunch, I bet they sign none of those mentioned.
I have to agree. Not only does it not make a lot of sense to make a signing like that for next year but I don’t see us being attractive to any free agents of note for quite a few years.
A certain insider said that Conroy would be looking at free agents willing to sign short deals. I don't know where DeBrusk stands here. He isn't coming off of a particularly strong season, but he is 27 when most players are usually hoping to lock in on a long term deal. If he saw the Flames as a team where he could more easily get top ice time and pad his stats that way, maybe he would sign a 1 or 2 year deal to try and raise his value. If that were the case, I'd be all for it. Sign him, and if the Flames are still out of the playoffs next year, trade him at the deadline.
If he is looking for a 7 year deal with a high AAV, I'd stay away.
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I’m a little surprised at the Okhotiuk trade too. I’d like to see him play some more.
Still he is very young and he’ll have a chance to compete for a job in camp. Can’t imagine he will cost much to re-sign.
I could see the Flames sitting both Andersson and Weegar with ~5 games remaining. Just letting the D compete for spots for next year. Maybe call up Poirier as well.
You can never have too many defense prospects. And if you drafted Okhotiuk with a 5th, you'd be very happy with the pick
Agreed. The ages and timelines are also varied.
I don’t love everything but Conroy was sneaky good at rebuilding the teams D pipeline in one trade deadline.
The team has a couple competing for NHL ice time now (on the cheap).
A couple maybe 3-4 years away with potential
And a few in the middle.
The team needs 15-16 D between the big club and minors so to have a mix of ages and skills is perfect. They will sort themselves.
