2016/2017 Trade Speculation and Rumors

[bubbsy]

Meh... let's wait on Bennet.

[Toonage]

Originally Posted by bubbsy

Meh... let's wait on Bennet.

Agreed. He's 20 and shouldering a ton of responsibility at centre on a rebuilding team. Take some of that pressure off, move him to the wing and let him regain some confidence.

[Poe969]

The only way you consider trading Bennett IMO is if you can find a team with a big 20 year old RW with a high ceiling like Bennett.

If it came down to trading part of the core, and i would consider the Flames highest ever draft pick part of the core, it wouldn't be Bennett.

If anything, the team should start picking up young players with a lot of potential not trading them away.

[sureLoss]

Flames scouting Avs/Devils tonight, FWIW

Don't play the Devils again this season. Play the Avs on March 27.

Islanders and Pens (including Guerin) have two scouts each at this game - re: Duchene and Landeskog maybe

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Originally Posted by Poe969

The only way you consider trading Bennett IMO is if you can find a team with a big 20 year old RW with a high ceiling like Bennett.

If it came down to trading part of the core, and i would consider the Flames highest ever draft pick part of the core, it wouldn't be Bennett.

If anything, the team should start picking up young players with a lot of potential not trading them away.

I wonder what it would take to pry McCarron out of Montreal.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by N-E-B

If it's for a player like Matt Duchene I am.

No way. I think Bennett will be better and the other piece mentioned was Parsons whom I think is going to be a star goalie. Not a chance I do that deal.

[Robbob]

The problem with picking up a player like Duchene is that implies the window for this team is open right now, which it isn't. The players that will drive any form of success need a couple more years of seasoning. I think a 22 year old Bennett will be in a better position to help this team going forward than a 28 year old Duchene.

[N-E-B]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

No way. I think Bennett will be better and the other piece mentioned was Parsons whom I think is going to be a star goalie. Not a chance I do that deal.

Maybe I'm just sour on Bennett but I really don't see the potential to be better than Matt Duchene. He might turn out to be a pretty good player but I think some of you are underrating Duchene. He's a fantastic player. Cap concerns are valid but if all it took was Bennett I think the Flames do that deal all day every day.

I would agree that I don't want to be giving up Bennett, a 1st, and a prospect of Parsons or Kylingtons calibre for just Duchene. But if there was a larger deal with Bennett and Duchene as the foundation I think it's worth a long hard listen.

[keenan87]

Originally Posted by Robbob

The problem with picking up a player like Duchene is that implies the window for this team is open right now, which it isn't. The players that will drive any form of success need a couple more years of seasoning. I think a 22 year old Bennett will be in a better position to help this team going forward than a 28 year old Duchene.

I would argue that the window should be open at the start of next year though.

Start of 2017/2018:
Hamilton - 6th season
Monahan - 5th season
Gaudreau - 4th season
Bennett - 3rd season
Tkachuk - 2nd season

We are missing a top line RW, 4th dman, and a goalie... these are needs that Treliving needs to fill and he needs to get the job done this off-season. Sign Alzner, Bishop and unload the truck for a Landeskog type of player.. as for the salary cap, play the young guys on the farm who don't make too much money and actually play them more than 1 game at a time. Other teams take that chance all of the time so not sure why the Flames can't do the same:

Giordano-Hamilton
Brodie-Anderson
Alzner-Wotherspoon
Veteran (<1 mil)

If the window is not going to be open now, when will it be? Toews and Kane won a cup in their 3rd season right... not really sure why our core needs "more seasoning"... cause I think they are ready for the playoffs and will get more seasoning with playoff experience.

[VladtheImpaler]

I agree with K87 to a large extent. I think our ability to compete will live and die with ability of farm guys to fill out the bottom D pairing and 3-4 forward spots at bargain basement price. If we have to pay millions for depth players, we have no hope. Stars need to be stars, but I would argue Pittsburgh beat WAS and SJ because Sheary, Rust and defensemen were able to carry the mail and contribute. We have to resist our usual urge to pay veterans to fill depth positions and leave them for rookies and farmhands... Cannot have Engelland and Stajan types being your depth - won't leave enough money to build a contender...

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by VladtheImpaler

I agree with K87 to a large extent. I think our ability to compete will live and die with ability of farm guys to fill out the bottom D pairing and 3-4 forward spots at bargain basement price. If we have to pay millions for depth players, we have no hope. Stars need to be stars, but I would argue Pittsburgh beat WAS and SJ because Sheary, Rust and defensemen were able to carry the mail and contribute. We have to resist our usual urge to pay veterans to fill depth positions and leave them for rookies and farmhands... Cannot have Engelland and Stajan types being your depth - won't leave enough money to build a contender...

Yup for far too long this team has relied on veterans to fill out bottom 6 and bottom pairing roles instead of letting young guys sink or swim.

There is no reason why guys like Wotherspoon, Kulak, Andersen, Kylington, etc shouldn't be able to compete for a role instead of bringing in a Corey Potter, or a Grossman.

It's necessary for a cap team to be successful to be able to fill this roles with cheap players on ELCs season after season.

[Robbob]

Originally Posted by keenan87

Spoiler!

I would argue that the window should be open at the start of next year though.

Start of 2017/2018:
Hamilton - 6th season
Monahan - 5th season
Gaudreau - 4th season
Bennett - 3rd season
Tkachuk - 2nd season

We are missing a top line RW, 4th dman, and a goalie... these are needs that Treliving needs to fill and he needs to get the job done this off-season. Sign Alzner, Bishop and unload the truck for a Landeskog type of player.. as for the salary cap, play the young guys on the farm who don't make too much money and actually play them more than 1 game at a time. Other teams take that chance all of the time so not sure why the Flames can't do the same:

Giordano-Hamilton
Brodie-Anderson
Alzner-Wotherspoon
Veteran (<1 mil)

If the window is not going to be open now, when will it be? Toews and Kane won a cup in their 3rd season right... not really sure why our core needs "more seasoning"... cause I think they are ready for the playoffs and will get more seasoning with playoff experience.

When I think of a window being open I think contender. This team is still isn't there yet. When I say seasoning I am saying the young guys are still developing. They say that players start hitting their peak around 25, which is why I think the window opens in about 2 years. Players tend to start regressing after 28 so that is why I don't like the idea of bringing in a player like Duchene who will likely start to decline once Gaudreau and Monahan start to hit their stride.

I will say that I expect the team to take another stride next year. I expected 10-15 point improvement this year, which they will do even though they have been wildly inconsistent.

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by VladtheImpaler

I agree with K87 to a large extent. I think our ability to compete will live and die with ability of farm guys to fill out the bottom D pairing and 3-4 forward spots at bargain basement price. If we have to pay millions for depth players, we have no hope. Stars need to be stars, but I would argue Pittsburgh beat WAS and SJ because Sheary, Rust and defensemen were able to carry the mail and contribute. We have to resist our usual urge to pay veterans to fill depth positions and leave them for rookies and farmhands... Cannot have Engelland and Stajan types being your depth - won't leave enough money to build a contender...

100% accurate and why if you look at the hawks or penguins you see precious little cap allotment to anyone not playing top 6 forward or top 3 defender minutes.

It's also why, unless the flames get freakin' serious about selling assets for draft picks, why the rebuild will be hollowed out before they can contend.

This core group will come and go without much to show for it and it will be a result of 3 decades of horrible asset management and drafting.

[Heavy Jack]

Kylington has taken a pretty good step forward too this year:

2015/16 - GP 47 / G 5 / A 7 / Pts 12 / -15 / PIMS 14
2016/17 - GP 37 / G 4 / A 10 / Pts 14 / EVEN / PIMS 14

He's slowed down a bit points wise the last little bit but from all accounts has been playing a steady game and also was pulled away for the World Juniours in which many gushed over his abilities at times. I think he'll be ready to make the jump next year and has surpassed Wotherspoon on the depth chart IMO.

[Machiavelli]

I'm glad Kylington is progressing. I haven't been impressed by his game, from the little I've seen.

[ignite09]

Yeah, I think both our Swedish defensive prospects could use at least another year in the AHL. You don't rush prospects just because the top team could use some cheap talent.

[keenan87]

Originally Posted by ignite09

Yeah, I think both our Swedish defensive prospects could use at least another year in the AHL. You don't rush prospects just because the top team could use some cheap talent.

Umm wasn't Anderson going to almost make the big club 2 years ago? Why exactly do you think they need another year.. just curious

[the_only_turek_fan]

@TSNBobMcKenzie: RT @DarrenDreger: Lazar's agent, JP Barry expected to meet Sens GM Pierre Dorion this weekend. Wouldn't be surprised if player requests trad...

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by keenan87

Umm wasn't Anderson going to almost make the big club 2 years ago? Why exactly do you think they need another year.. just curious

No, Andersson was nowhere close to being ready 2 years ago, this year, next year, and possibly the year after that. He's a good prospect, he has NHL skills, and he could be a player one day, but he's not nearly ready yet. It's big jump from the AHL to the NHL, and the kid is only just NOW getting his fitness in order. That's something that will kill your chances at a spot in the NHL because the game is just too fast and everyone is in exceptional shape. Not to mention he's going to need some experience at a lower level. Almost all defensemen do, and those that go to the NHL after 1 season in the minors are usually 1st round picks with clear NHL ready talent.

Andersson is not a guy you pencil into the opening day top 4 as you did above...ahead of a good veteran like Alzner I might add *scoff*. At best he surprises in camp and he earns a spot on the bottom pairing, or as the 7th d-man. I wouldn't expect anything more.

[ignite09]

Originally Posted by keenan87

Umm wasn't Anderson going to almost make the big club 2 years ago? Why exactly do you think they need another year.. just curious

Kanzig also was a late pre season cut a couple years ago, doesn't mean he was close. I simply haven't heard anything from anyone reputable that says he's ready, and it usually takes more than a few months of pro hockey for a 20 year old, 2nd round defenceman to be ready for steady NHL duty. What makes you think he is ready?