Friedman: Do the Flames zero in on Rodrigues?

[DazzlinDino]

Originally Posted by saillias

Seems to be some negativity towards Rodrigues but I'm for it. For one the forward depth is still not good. I'm not stoked about a 4th line of Lucic-Rooney-Lewis out there every night. He would rank somewhere between Toffoli and Dube on the depth chart. His strength seems to be zone entries, as well as versatility to play wing or center. Seems to me he does fill a need.

This a good point, You want guys who can potentionally push other players down, or off the team . We saw this with a couple of the defenseman last season.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by memphusk

I use whatever stick tape my teammates provide me with. I'm a team guy.

Same but with whatever Santa leaves in my stocking

[UKflames]

I don't think there is any hurry to sign Rodriguez, maybe offer a pto and see if he gets beat out by any of the rookies. If he does let him go, if not see what he wants.

[iamca]

Interesting take on Calgary’s to do list from the Hockey Writers Rob Couch:


Flames Can Cap Off Incredible Offseason With 2 More Moves

Aug 28, 2022 | 11:25 AM

The Calgary Flames have had the most entertaining offseason to date, losing two of the best forwards in the NHL before gaining three very impactful players. Though it seems like free agency and trades have slowed down a lot for every team, there are still a couple of things to attend to before the Flames are ready to go into training camp.

The first order of business is to sign skilled young forward Adam Ruzicka. The second, and more importantly I believe, is to figure out which defencemen the team is going to trade before they lose one to waivers for nothing. The Flames may still want to look at upgrading the wing to bring in a top-six forward, so using one or two of their extra defenders to do it would be the play rather than shipping off Milan Lucic. Let’s dive into the details of the remaining moves that need to be made.

Sign Adam Ruzicka, the Flames’ Last Remaining RFA
The Flames have one last signing to get to after Brad Treliving locked in the rest of his restricted free agents and Jonathan Huberdeau in short order. This would be Ruzicka, who is more than ready to take the next step and become a full-time NHLer.
Ruzicka has spent most of the past three seasons in the American Hockey League (AHL) developing very nicely. In 2020-21 he got his first taste of NHL action where he recorded an assist in three games. It wasn’t until last season that he really got his shot and played in 28 games after lighting up the AHL with 11 goals and 20 points in 16 games. In those 28 NHL games the young forward got into, he scored five goals and 10 points.

The Flames will likely find common ground on a contract worth about $1 million per season for one or two years. The only place for Ruzicka right now in the lineup would be on the fourth line, as he is a centreman that can also play the wing. That puts him in contention with newly signed Kevin Rooney and veteran Trevor Lewis. Ruzicka would have been much more productive offensively if he had played as many games as the other two and is a good depth piece moving forward for the Flames. For his benefit, he will need to be signed before training camp so that he doesn’t miss any valuable time and lose a spot on the team.

Trade Valimaki or Kylington Before Training Camp
At least one defenceman has to be moved by the Flames soon. The only three who should be absolutely safe are Noah Hanifin, Rasmus Andersson, and MacKenzie Weegar. Other than those players, Treliving should be open to the possibility of moving any other defenceman before next season.

The most likely of the group of 10 defencemen on one-way contracts are Juuso Valimaki and Oliver Kylington. Valimaki has struggled to stay in the NHL these past couple of seasons and time is running out for him. At best, he will be the Flames’ seventh defenceman and that’s not ideal for him.
As for Kylington, he was signed to a two-year, $5 million deal this offseason after a breakout campaign in 2021-22. With how deep the defensive group is, it is likely he won’t even see top-four minutes consistently this season. With the talent he possesses, the Flames could use him as a chip to upgrade at forward. I don’t believe his trade value will be higher than it is right now, considering the stellar season he had and the more limited time he will get this coming season.


Nicolas Meloche seems like the perfect seventh defenceman for the Flames this season and the team should want to hold onto Connor Mackey after turning him into the defender he is today. Maybe there will be a spot on the team within the next year for him, but the bottom line is that it’s a waste to lose or let some of the younger defencemen stew in the minors this season instead of moving them for assets.

Keep Milan Lucic
I just wrote about the decision the Flames have to either keep or trade Lucic before the final year of his deal. Considering the Flames have gone this deep into his contract and found a place for him in the lineup, it’s no use to lose an asset to get rid of him now. He fits right into his role as a bottom-six checker and is a player Darryl Sutter likes to have at his disposal.

Lucic will be needed for the playoffs with the hard game he plays. Though he may not be the fastest on his feet, he is in a fourth-line role and is out there to be physical and play tough around the net. Every team needs at least one player like this, it’s just not the most ideal situation that he makes $5.25 million. Keeping Lucic shows the commitment to him and the possibility that he will sign back for much cheaper on his next deal.

In keeping Lucic, the lineup isn’t going to see any drastic improvements. The team is already very good from top to bottom, and trading the extra defenders will open up a bit of space if the Flames do intend on bolstering the wing a bit more in the future.


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[Canada 02]

Disagree with the article. Tanev is the most untouchable blueliner

Also, Weegar should be traded if he is not signed

[Sandman]

I agree, if Weegar wants to test free agency, we could easily trade him for a haul. Really, if Bill Zito was thinking clearly, we shouldn't have received a top-2 defenseman in that trade anyhow-getting Weegs was gravy. We were all expecting a roster player, prospect, and a first-we got a roster player that was better than the player we were giving up, a top-2 D, prospect, and a first.

[dissentowner]

I am not worried about Weegar, that deal will get done imo. I don't like the idea of moving Kylington either, he still has plenty of upside. I love Hanifin but if you can hit a home run for a top 6 winger coming back that is the guy I move.

[Poe969]

For me, the order of who to trade depends on a bunch of things.

Weegar (if not signed, if he's signed you keep him)
Hanifin, only because he's good and would return probably the most.
Valimaki, if you can get anything for him at this point


Don't trade Kylington unless it's for an unreal return, he is good and will be really good.

[OptimalTates]

Originally Posted by UKflames

I don't think there is any hurry to sign Rodriguez, maybe offer a pto and see if he gets beat out by any of the rookies. If he does let him go, if not see what he wants.

The league's certainly became a have/have-not situation, and Rodrigues benefited from playing with that Crosby guy, but I don't think Rodrigues is at the PTO level.

I suspect he's still looking to cash in on what could be a career year and get some term certainty. If he was willing to just take a one year contract, one-way for like a million, I'm assuming there's a couple teams out there who would have gladly signed him already with such little risk and his versaitlity to be able to play center or wing, up and down the lineup and the PP.

I think Kadri and then Kessel, maybe even Stastny, were dominos that needed to fall and now he's seeing if he can get any of the bridesmaids to give him a two or three year deal worth around million to secure his future a bit. I don't think he's hanging around hoping for a PTO.

[OptimalTates]

There's maybe a bigger domino in the Canadian juniors allegations and what happens there. If, strictly as an example, the leagues takes actions and does suspend the players, a team like Ottawa could be they end up being down one or both of Formenton and Batherson (I don't believe either have given a statement at this time but again just as an example). Rodrigues, if not already on Ottawa's radar, could become an attractive option.

[Hackey]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

I am not worried about Weegar, that deal will get done imo. I don't like the idea of moving Kylington either, he still has plenty of upside. I love Hanifin but if you can hit a home run for a top 6 winger coming back that is the guy I move.

I'm not sure I can trust your optimism with signing but yes I agree if we're trading a dman for forward help Hanifin is probably the guy. He's going to get you the best return. Makes me nervous to have Valimaki or Mackey as the 6th guy. Buy I guess you can always address that position down the road if need be.

[Goriders]

Originally Posted by Poe969

For me, the order of who to trade depends on a bunch of things.

Weegar (if not signed, if he's signed you keep him)
Hanifin, only because he's good and would return probably the most.
Valimaki, if you can get anything for him at this point


Don't trade Kylington unless it's for an unreal return, he is good and will be really good.

I don’t get how many people want to trade Hanifin.

25 years old. Number 5 pick. Top 2 pairing. 215 lbs. Good skater. $4.95 million for two more years. I’m thinking that’s a guy you’d want to keep.

The flames have too many one way contract defensemen. I think the trade targets are Valimaki or Mackey. They aren’t waiver exempt and are probably going to get time with the big club this season. Free up a bit more cap space to make a move for another forward later in the year if some of the young forwards like Ruzicka and Pelletier don’t pan out.

[OptimalTates]

There's no trade market for Valimaki though. He likely passes through waivers with his salary and showing so far in the NHL. He still has potential, but too much risk for a team to waste assets on.

At least Mackey can be completely buried in the AHL if he doesn't make the team and will be paid a 1/3 of what Valimaki will be paid. So maybe a team takes a flyer on him, doubtful though.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by Goriders

I don’t get how many people want to trade Hanifin.

25 years old. Number 5 pick. Top 2 pairing. 215 lbs. Good skater. $4.95 million for two more years. I’m thinking that’s a guy you’d want to keep.

The flames have too many one way contract defensemen. I think the trade targets are Valimaki or Mackey. They aren’t waiver exempt and are probably going to get time with the big club this season. Free up a bit more cap space to make a move for another forward later in the year if some of the young forwards like Ruzicka and Pelletier don’t pan out.

The problem is to add another core piece to the top 6 you have to give to get. Vali and Mackey are not netting you that kind of return. I think Mackey is poised to be an everyday bottom pairing D. Hanifin has two years left on a very good contract coming off a big year, he can net you that big piece you need on wing. Nobody wants to trade Hanifin for the sake of trading him.

[Toonage]

I believe someone else has already brought this up, but being so close to training camp I wonder if they just don't stand pat and see if some of these guys (Rodrigues) are available on a PTO if they don't make a trade to bolster their depth on the wing.

[CGY12]

I'm shocked at how many people don't understand this.

[Poe969]

Originally Posted by Goriders

I don’t get how many people want to trade Hanifin.

25 years old. Number 5 pick. Top 2 pairing. 215 lbs. Good skater. $4.95 million for two more years. I’m thinking that’s a guy you’d want to keep.

The flames have too many one way contract defensemen. I think the trade targets are Valimaki or Mackey. They aren’t waiver exempt and are probably going to get time with the big club this season. Free up a bit more cap space to make a move for another forward later in the year if some of the young forwards like Ruzicka and Pelletier don’t pan out.

I dont WANT to trade Hanifin, but if they had to trade 1 of them he is the one I would. I don't think he's bad or anything, it's actually the opposite, because he is such an attractive target the Flames would get the best return and might actually get a top line RW. If they trade Valimaki, they likely don't get a return that improves the team that much. Trading Hanifin might actually give Valimaki confidence to take the next step.

Strictly asset management.

[bluejays]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

I am not worried about Weegar, that deal will get done imo. I don't like the idea of moving Kylington either, he still has plenty of upside. I love Hanifin but if you can hit a home run for a top 6 winger coming back that is the guy I move.

I agree re: Kylington. He didn’t look good defensively on multiple occasions in the playoffs where he was easily muscled off the puck or bad defensively. I think there is good upside to his offensive game but defensively he probably is who he is. If our expectation is to turn him to a top two dman, I think we’re mistaking what we have here. But a number three with good upside when you need to push the puck ahead, great. I think he can be that guy.

[Goriders]

Originally Posted by OptimalTates

There's no trade market for Valimaki though. He likely passes through waivers with his salary and showing so far in the NHL. He still has potential, but too much risk for a team to waste assets on.

At least Mackey can be completely buried in the AHL if he doesn't make the team and will be paid a 1/3 of what Valimaki will be paid. So maybe a team takes a flyer on him, doubtful though.

Think he’s on a one way contract.

[Flamesfan05]

Calgarypucks have more trust on Kylington than the Flames do