What Should the Flames do at the Trade Deadline?

[Deegee]

Trade Brodie for draft picks, bring up a D?

Don't wait too long on assets. Trade what you can when you have a position of power and stock draft picks. I like our forward group.

The biggest deadline acquisition would be a functional power play.

[Red Slinger]

I know a lot is made about the need for scoring and I agree that it's an issue, but I don't think it's an issue because of the personnel but rather the deployment. When the Backlund line isn't on the ice the team is asking the Jankowski line or more often the Stajan line to shut down the other team. This is particularly an issue on the road when the opposition will usually put out their top line in these circumstances. The Stajan line just isn't able to effectively against good lines. Asking the Jankowski line to do so is asking for trouble since they are all pretty young. They are better suited to more offensive zone starts.

So, I'd like to see the team add a depth forward that can play effective defensively and take pressure off and from time to time relieve some of the minutes of the Backlund line. I think this will allow more offensive zone starts to the other lines. It would be great to add a guy like Hoffman or Pacioretty but between their contracts and acquisition cost that would be a stretch.

By way of throwing stuff against the wall, some potentials might be a guy like Richard Panik or even Andrew Shaw.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by Deegee

Trade Brodie for draft picks, bring up a D?

Don't wait too long on assets. Trade what you can when you have a position of power and stock draft picks. I like our forward group.

The biggest deadline acquisition would be a functional power play.

It is extremely safe to say the Flames will not be trading a top 4 Dman at the deadline for picks.

I can absolutely see a move like that at the draft but bubble teams do not subtract depth for picks when pushing for the playoffs. They absolutely do not do it when they have traded their first pick unprotected and missing the playoffs gives the Islanders a shot at top 3 with our pick.

[the2bears]

Originally Posted by debil

This isn't psychological board, no one cares about your feelings.

Wow, go outside and get some sunshine.

[tkflames]

Given that we have learned with the last two top 4 defensemen acquisitions that it takes a 3rd of the season for defensemen to adjust, I don't see any Brodie trade happening until the draft. I don't like the Flames defensive depth if the flames trade Brodie and a defensemen goes down with injury. It would be nice to add a long term right wing solution for the run, but not at the expense of messing with this teams chemistry. This group deserves to take a run and with how flat the west is, it is easy to forget how well they are actually playing. I don't see a huge difference between the way this team is built and last year's Nashville team. A Kyle Turris equivalent acquisition in the off-season would hopefully have us competing for best in the division.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by debil

monahan, backlund ....get rid of mediocrity in the core of the team

Yeah, that's what is holding this team back—It's two best centremen. Fantastic idea, as always.

[oldschoolcalgary]

while i am not against trading brodie, its gotta be a hockey trade, for me at least.

the Flames are not in a rebuild.

Trading a top 3/4 defenseman for picks does not help the flames wrt to its current window if that player takes minimum 1 year to develop (assuming non lottery pick) or 2-3 if a non lottery pick

if Brodie were to be traded, it would be for another top 6 forward that could step right into the line up and help the Flames make their push now.

[Zulu29]

Maybe a deal around Kykington and Gillies for some third line RW help. Mind you depending on Smith’s status Gillies won’t be going anywhere.

[Vinny01]

IF the Blues are flipping Berglund, Sobotka, and Fabbri for Brassard then Stone, Kylington, Hillies should be enough for Hoffman

Gaudreau-Monahan-Ferland
Hoffman-Backlund-Frolik
Bennett-Jankowski-Tkachuk
Versteeg-Lazar-Brouwer

Giordano-Hamilton
Brodie-Hamonic
Kulak-Andersson

Smith
Rittich

Tkachuk and Frolik can be swapped if needed

[Diemenz]

Originally Posted by debil

This isn't psychological board, no one cares about your feelings.

You must be an absolute gem to be around.

How about you contribute positively to the board instead of always posting toxic garbage?

[Sylvanfan]

Yes the Flames might mis the playoffs, but this year more than any other year since 2009 they're as close to the top of the league as they've been. I think they're one piece up front away from being able to step up.

If you want a first round pick so badly....get it at the draft.

[TheScorpion]

I don't see the point in not going for it, nor do I see the reason to be concerned about a "bare prospect cupboard" -- this team's cupboards are so deep that they've called up about six guys this year and they still have a number of former first-rounders with potential in the system. Klimchuk, Shink, Valimaki, heck, even Poirier can all be called up and probably play.

[Classic_Sniper]

I say we just for it this season. Add the additional winger we need and see if we can go all the way. The Pacific is wide open this year. The way we’ve played against the Pacific including Vegas and way we’ve played against other top teams like Nashville and St Louis. I think the key is to get that 3rd line going because that’s the edge we’ll need to go deep.

Every good team has 2 good lines, but they cancel eachother out leaving the 3rd and 4th lines to make up the difference. I feel like our window is open with Tkachuk’s ELC, Ferland and Bennett on cheap deals, so we should strike now while the iron is hot.

[klikitiklik]

Before we trade anyone, let's do some addition by subtraction.

Get rid of our horrible coaching staff!!!

[442scotty]

I think the Flames will stay the course unless another team needing a defenceman badly is willing to part with a sure thing forward prospect (is there such a thing?) that can play the wing. The flames have Mangiapane who should be ready next year, Dube who will be ready and maybe even Gawdin. Unless the Flames get an offer they cannot refuse I think they will stay put

[Flamescuprun2018]

We just dont have the picks in 2018 or 2019 to fill the one gap on our roster on the 2nd or 3rd line at RW ideally.

Gillies is most expendable. Kylington likely second most.

Gillies not worth that much as 14th best SV% in AHL this year.

Kylington still has question marks in terms of decision making especially defending.

Cannot see us moving Andersson, Fox or Valimaki as upside for all three could still be as top 2 NHL Dmen.

Between Versteeg, Hathaway, Lazar and Brouwer one should be able to step up for that last top 9 forward spot. We have seen glimpses of this through the season from each.

I vote for stand pat and save our prospect pool especially given how few top picks we have in next 2 years.

[Vinny01]

I am only interested in them buying if the player they acquire is not a rental. I am opposed trading top 2 round picks, or good prospects for a rental. I don’t think the Flames need to be in the depth market as I believe they have that in the system.

Hoffman, Domi, Gallagher, Galchenyuk etc yes

Vanek, Vrbata, Stempniak no

[Harry Lime]

The only reason I've ever thought of us being in play for Hoffman is because Oduya is sitting right there as a left handed D. We don't have any big picks, so if Ottawa wants a big piece for Hoffman, what we have is Brodie. And the only was Brodie works is if Oduya is part of what's coming back.

I can't see another player that we can dangle other than Brodie that will get us that return. Gilles, as good as he is, is the the player that pushes the trade over the top, not the centerpiece.

If that doesn't happen, then my guess would be nothing does.

[Vinny01]

Saying Oduya replaces Brodie is like saying Stajan replaces Backlund

[EldrickOnIce]

If you aren't doing something that is a major upgrade on Versteeg, then I don't see the point. Likewise, it would be stupid to move Brodie now, and Treliving isn't stupid.
Maybe a depth guy who can sub in for Stajan on 4th line C.
Otherwise stand pat.