The title says it. Guess the first Flames player traded out (and/or the first player traded in, or both, if you are gutsy).
I don't see us nowhere near being a contender with this roster even if we make the playoffs by a miracle. So, my guess, Treliving is going to try selling rather than buying. I think it's safe to assume that Lindholm, Tkachuk, Hanifin and Rasmussen while being easily tradeable (i.e. wanted bad by other teams), are untouchable from our perspective. I am also going to guess, Treliving is not thinking of trading Monahan yet.
What can Teliving sell, really? Not that much, actually, unless certain players with NTC or Modified NTC want out to play elsewhere (e.g. Backlund and Brodie).
So, realistically, the following players could be in trade talks:
- Gaudreau, Bennett, Jankowski - in forwards.
- Kylington and Hamonic (if he gets healthy by the deadline) - in defense.
- Talbot (Treliving said that he sees Rittich as a starter goalie going forward, so, ok. And we do have young goalies in the system).
Gaudreau would be the most blockbuster trade, but Treliving would want a king's ransom for Gaudreau and I am not sure anyone would be prepared to pay a king's ransom, based on Johnny's poor performance this season. Jankowski - meh, neither here nor there (is there a team that would even want to buy Jankowski for the playoffs?). I'm gonna say, Bennett is the most realistic forward target for a playoff team based on his grit and, perhaps, an unfulfilled potential.
Hamonic or Kylington - both should be wanted by a playoff team for defense depth and probably could be had for an fair return in picks.
Talbot - a good backup, so an easy trade for a pick.
Tough one.
I am going to guess
Bennett will be the first to go by the upcoming trade deadline.
What's your guess and why?
Guess Our 1st Trade by the Trade Deadline
