[Rumour] Toffoli looking for a trade out of Calgary

[trackercowe]

We need to go full on Hurricanes and take on bad short term contracts (ala Burns and Patches) from contenders. It's a win/win for everyone. Flames can ice a complete lineup, then sell the assets off at the deadline. Take on all the dead cap space they can. Plus they might even win a few games if that's what the owners want. Don't go looking to sign big name free agents or trade for players with term. Get it done Conroy!

[PeteMoss]

This is doing the Flames a favour. Thank you Toffoli.

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Originally Posted by Hackey

Not sure why some of you are scratching your head on why these guys want out. Because the team is going down the drain and no one wants to play in Calgary if the team sucks.

There are plenty of players that re-sign with their team even though it's in a tough spot.

This exodus of players is pretty unprecedented.

They can pound sand though because Calgary is great.

So sure, go lose in a worse city that's filthier, less family friendly and has a higher crime rate and population density. I hope these guys enjoy whatever gun violence ridden (likely american) crap hole they end up in.

[kyuss275]

When has a team ever had 2/3 of their top line want out 2 years in a row?

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by TrentCrimmIndependent

There are plenty of players that re-sign with their team even though it's in a tough spot.

This exodus of players is pretty unprecedented.

They can pound sand though because Calgary is great.

So sure, go lose in a worse city that's filthier, less family friendly and has a higher crime rate and population density. I hope these guys enjoy whatever gun violence ridden (likely american) crap hole they end up in.

It's not all on the players.

Calgary simply doesn't have the cap space to sign all of the players even if the Flames wanted to. So some slippage was always going to occur.

And even crime invested cities like NYC and LA become quite manageable when you've got millions.

[Icantwhisper]

Originally Posted by TrentCrimmIndependent

There are plenty of players that re-sign with their team even though it's in a tough spot.

This exodus of players is pretty unprecedented.

They can pound sand though because Calgary is great.

So sure, go lose in a worse city that's filthier, less family friendly and has a higher crime rate and population density. I hope these guys enjoy whatever gun violence ridden (likely american) crap hole they end up in.

Someone doesn't handle rejection very well

[Badgers Nose]

Originally Posted by TrentCrimmIndependent

There are plenty of players that re-sign with their team even though it's in a tough spot.

This exodus of players is pretty unprecedented.

They can pound sand though because Calgary is great.

So sure, go lose in a worse city that's filthier, less family friendly and has a higher crime rate and population density. I hope these guys enjoy whatever gun violence ridden (likely american) crap hole they end up in.

I have feeling that this is the start of a trend. More players will be doing this in small markets or on uncompetitive teams.

[steveo]

Originally Posted by Dion

I'm old enough to have lived through the Young Guns era and let me tell you, it was crappy hockey and not a fun time to be at the Dome.

it wasn't great, but during those times, it was much easier for my dad to get tickets from work...and he'd drop off me and my friend and we'd get to go to games as a kid it was awesome

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Originally Posted by Badgers Nose

I have feeling that this is the start of a trend. More players will be doing this in small markets or on uncompetitive teams.

Seems like a #####y trend.

[PepsiFree]

For guys like Toffoli, Hanifin, and Backlund, they could just as easily want our because they don’t like what the Flames are prepared to pay them and think they can get more or get onto a team that is a piece away from contending.

Not everything has to be some slight or state of the franchise type situation. There are usually plenty of practical reasons to draw on that don’t sound like they’re part of the season finale of a reality TV show.

[Gaudreau is a Ninja]

Originally Posted by Dion

I'm old enough to have lived through the Young Guns era and let me tell you, it was crappy hockey and not a fun time to be at the Dome.

I’m old enough to remember the young guns era as well. Watching Bure, Stillman, Savard, Domenichelli, Morris, Regehr, and Iginla was way better than the Fleury, Titov and a bunch of plugs era.

[ben voyonsdonc]

Originally Posted by Hockey_Ninja

It’s too risky to wait that long. Besides, the UFA class this summer is bad. Offering Toff with retention could definitely bring in a stronger return

Agreed.

The best time to have traded him was at the last TDL which isn’t an option, the next best option is now. For last year’s production, he’s on a really good value contract so it makes the most sense to move him with as many potential suitors as possible. He could get hurt or lose production (especially if key teammates leave) which could limit the trade value (in the case of declining production) or make him unmovable (if he got hurt).

Yesterday was pretty brutal. Starting today, we need to implement a plan that gets us better. At least we shouldn’t be a max cap team that is mediocre and has limited prospects. Sometimes tough but necessary things are thrust upon you.

Huska and the team might benefit from some lowered expectations and the team might end up being fun to watch again.

[ben voyonsdonc]

Originally Posted by Dion

I'm old enough to have lived through the Young Guns era and let me tell you, it was crappy hockey and not a fun time to be at the Dome.

The problem with that era, to me, wasn’t the Young Guns themselves…there were some fun guys to watch…it was knowing that, by being a small market team in the pre cap era, we were always going to lose any of them whenever they would develop.

We were structurally buried at the bottom of the league and it was a terrible feeling. There didn’t look like there was a way out.

If we have a solid plan, we are still only 2-3 years from being legit threats again. We need to draft well, develop those that we have, and construct a team that effectively deploys guys on ELCs and fills in some gaps with free agents. It can’t be the other way around and unfortunately, the last few years we basically filled our team with vets and filled in the gaps with young guys…it’s hard to build sustainable success that way.

[liamenator]

Originally Posted by Badgers Nose

I have feeling that this is the start of a trend. More players will be doing this in small markets or on uncompetitive teams.

It took a while, but the player empowerment era has arrived in the NHL.

[howard_the_duck]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

For guys like Toffoli, Hanifin, and Backlund, they could just as easily want our because they don’t like what the Flames are prepared to pay them and think they can get more or get onto a team that is a piece away from contending.

Not everything has to be some slight or state of the franchise type situation. There are usually plenty of practical reasons to draw on that don’t sound like they’re part of the season finale of a reality TV show.

It’s hard for me to look at it as a coincidence. 6 players in two off seasons.

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by howard_the_duck

It’s hard for me to look at it as a coincidence. 6 players in two off seasons.

It’s unique to have 7 guys, many of which are big contributors or have been here a while, become UFA in the same year.

Nobody is selling it as a coincidence. Just that there are realistic explanations that don’t border on the melodramatic.

There was no shortage of people here saying “trade everyone” and “only bring back x y and x on sweetheart deals” and now that seems to be the case, and suddenly the sky is falling? I don’t know, doesn’t track to me.

“Only sign these guys to cheap deals, if they don’t take them, trade them. We can’t pay any more 30+ guys long term.”

“They won’t sign.”

“Omg there must be something wrong with us.”

[flambers]

Mistake the Flames made was last trade deadline, GM at that time should have moved a contract or two

Getting picks etc would have been the correct move.

Its going to be a difficult summer, will be interesting to see how the moves turn out.

[Spurs]

Originally Posted by Dion

I'm old enough to have lived through the Young Guns era and let me tell you, it was crappy hockey and not a fun time to be at the Dome.

It is probably my age, but I preferred the Young Gun days over the past few seasons.

Both eras had no hope to compete for anything, both were depressing but at least the young guns were fun and likable. The past few years have had all the lack of success with pretty drab and unlikable players thrown in. And the added stink of having to pretend like we have a chance to do anything.

[DazzlinDino]

Originally Posted by flambers

Mistake the Flames made was last trade deadline, GM at that time should have moved a contract or two

Getting picks etc would have been the correct move.

Its going to be a difficult summer, will be interesting to see how the moves turn out.

Picks will be more important going forward. Previously we kept trying to make the playoffs but that focus has shifted. . Although Conroy wants to do it now, it looks like we might be finally going in with a new strategy.

[Paulie Walnuts]

Toffoli also is in for his last big pay day and term and it isn't coming in Calgary. He had a career year, and lots of talk of young guys being given a bigger chance and he may just see that he may not get the same opportunity with his coach gone and possibly being pushed down the lineup.

Team has a bunch of wingers that can be put in a blender and play on any side.

I think the team is probably serious about elevating Dube, and giving Pelts and Coronato a real shot to make the team and they wont do much on the 4th line and that leaves a guy like Toffoli going down the lineup.

Time to cash out with his highest value and recoup what we traded for him and maybe more.