Who do the Flames protect in the Expansion Draft?

[tvp2003]

Wow. Even if (when?) Looch goes PPG in the playoffs and wins the Conn Smythe, I’m not sure Seattle takes him and the rest of that contract, when they can get a young, cheapish, contributing player with more upside (Bennett or Kylington). I also don’t see Treliving adding anyone of note (with term) without subtracting a piece at the same time. I think he learned his lesson last time by wasting a second rounder in trying to “exploit” Ottawa by picking up Lazar.

Let’s see how the next two months plays out. Lots of time and opportunity for players to prove themselves worthy of their next contract, let alone being protected for next year’s expansion draft.

EDIT: exposing Backlund is also an interesting option — 32 is not “old” but he’ll certainly get there before his current contract is up.

[ignite09]

Backlund has a NTC. He isn't going anywhere.

[TheScorpion]

Originally Posted by ignite09

Backlund has a NTC. He isn't going anywhere.

Well, he could go to Seattle if they choose to expose him. NTCs don't preclude exposure.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by ignite09

Backlund has a NTC. He isn't going anywhere.

The NTC doesn't keep him from being exposed in the expansion draft if the Flames so choose. Only a NMC can do that.

[ignite09]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

Well, he could go to Seattle if they choose to expose him. NTCs don't preclude exposure.

Hmm. Surprised by that. He still isn't going anywhere.

[Poe969]

Backlund is exposed and picked and becomes the captain of the Kraken.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by tvp2003

Wow. Even if (when?) Looch goes PPG in the playoffs and wins the Conn Smythe, I’m not sure Seattle takes him and the rest of that contract, when they can get a young, cheapish, contributing player with more upside (Bennett or Kylington). I also don’t see Treliving adding anyone of note (with term) without subtracting a piece at the same time. I think he learned his lesson last time by wasting a second rounder in trying to “exploit” Ottawa by picking up Lazar.

Let’s see how the next two months plays out. Lots of time and opportunity for players to prove themselves worthy of their next contract, let alone being protected for next year’s expansion draft.

EDIT: exposing Backlund is also an interesting option — 32 is not “old” but he’ll certainly get there before his current contract is up.

That was a great move. Unfortunately he grabbed a player that never materialized. But the play was a good one.

This time is different though, because he is long bodies. But I doubt that deters him from improving the team if he has an opportunity to do so.

[Jason14h]

Backlund will be exposed. Not sure VG takes him over someone the younger guys

[Reggie Dunlop]

You also have to factor in who else the Kraken pick off the other teams, how well they are stocked at different positions. Just because the Flames have, say, an abundance of centres to pick from doesn't mean that Seattle takes a centre.

They may choose a defenceman with the idea it's easier to flip a defenceman for, say a prospect they can put in Palm Springs.

[Badgers Nose]

Originally Posted by N26

This thread is 3 months too early no?

Nah the buzz from winning the Cup won't even be over by then. It's probably further out.

[Roof-Daddy]

Really surprises me how many think it will end up being Backlund exposed.

Bennett will have to still be here and will have had to have taken a MAJOR step forward or Treliving will have had to have acquired another really good C for that to happen IMO.

[Poe969]

I think it'll be that the Flames get another good C and as Backlund gets older, his contract to output aren't ideal. Not saying he'll be garbage but I think he'll be supplanted by then and be pushed to the third line and it doesn't make sense to pay a third line guy over 5 mil.

Or it could be the same things I've said but instead of Backlund, it's Gio.

I honestly think one of the veteran leaders on the team will be a big part of the Kraken moving forward. Even if they take Gio just so they can trade him at that deadline.

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by TheSquatch

Well, I'll say it, I'd leave Giordano and Gaudreau unprotected.

Gio is trending down, the last years of his contract are going to be poorer value as they go. He had an okay year, but he's just not the dominant defender he once was.

Gaudreau I just think we can replace or fill in for. It's been a long time since we saw Johnny Hockey. We have Johnny Nothanks right now, and at 6.9 or whatever he's at... yeah we need more production.

Early nomination for post of the century.

Even if you absolutely hate Johnny and think he’s a horrible player, surely you would have enough sense to understand that he has decent trade value.

Or probably you don’t.


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[FlamesAreOne]

Not Gio I hope. Dude has completely lost his wheels.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

Josh Anderson just had an injury riddled season where he scored one goal. He's not getting $6 million AAV or 6 years term.

It wont be much less....either now or next summer.

He isn't going to be signed based on this year, particularly when he was injured twice. This is a write off season for him.

Big hulking RS RW guys who can skate and score are rare in this league right now.

He will get a nice deal, likely from Columbus (if thats where he wants to play) as they are the only ones who can sign him long term.

Otherwise he takes the QO and become UFA and probably gets what is suggested above unless he completely craps the bed next season.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by transplant99

It wont be much less....either now or next summer.

He isn't going to be signed based on this year, particularly when he was injured twice. This is a write off season for him.

Big hulking RS RW guys who can skate and score are rare in this league right now.

He will get a nice deal, likely from Columbus (if thats where he wants to play) as they are the only ones who can sign him long term.

Otherwise he takes the QO and become UFA and probably gets what is suggested above unless he completely craps the bed next season.

My bet is on the QO. He's still out with injury.

[Poe969]

If Anderson gets a 6x6 deal, I hope it's from one of the Flames rivals.

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by transplant99

It wont be much less....either now or next summer.

He isn't going to be signed based on this year, particularly when he was injured twice. This is a write off season for him.

Big hulking RS RW guys who can skate and score are rare in this league right now.

He will get a nice deal, likely from Columbus (if thats where he wants to play) as they are the only ones who can sign him long term.

Otherwise he takes the QO and become UFA and probably gets what is suggested above unless he completely craps the bed next season.

It's not going to be based off this year so, what, it's going to be based off a rough average of >40 points before that?

$6 million is a pretty extreme amount for a player like Josh Anderson. People here think Bennett is overpaid at $2.5M, that would make Anderson overpaid at $4M.

The guys in the 40-50 point range who make over $5M generally signed their contracts a little younger, had proved more, or had exceeded wherever Anderson is at prior to signing their deal.

I think $3M to $4M is most likely, $5M if someone desperately overpays (i.e. he gets traded this year to a team that would be his first choice and they want to sign him past UFA).

$6M for 6 years though? If everything stays the same, that would make him the highest paid player of his calibre by a long shot, for a guy that has under .5 points per game and under .25 goals per game. He needs to take a one year deal and have a monster season to earn that.

[Vinny01]

While Steinberg seems to think other major moves may be made it feels like it is just signing some cheap vets to fill out the roster. Obviously the team can change a lot between now and the expansion draft. After expansion here is my updated list

Forwards:
Tkachuk
Gaudreau
Lindholm
Monahan
Mangipane
Dube
Bennett

Notable exposed: Backlund, Lucic (waives NMC)

Defense
Andersson
Hanifin
Giordano

Notable exposed: Tanev, Kylington

Goalie
Markstrom

I am of the opinion the Flames could still add another Dman and consider exposing Giordano.

Reason I am exposing Backlund is even though it would be tough to lose him having that 5.3M in cap space open up could make it very easy to re-sign Valimaki, Dube, Bennett to their deals and make another free agent splash.

[GettinIggyWithIt]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

While Steinberg seems to think other major moves may be made it feels like it is just signing some cheap vets to fill out the roster. Obviously the team can change a lot between now and the expansion draft. After expansion here is my updated list

Forwards:
Tkachuk
Gaudreau
Lindholm
Monahan
Mangipane
Dube
Bennett

Notable exposed: Backlund, Lucic (waives NMC)

Defense
Andersson
Hanifin
Giordano

Notable exposed: Tanev, Kylington

Goalie
Markstrom

I am of the opinion the Flames could still add another Dman and consider exposing Giordano.

Reason I am exposing Backlund is even though it would be tough to lose him having that 5.3M in cap space open up could make it very easy to re-sign Valimaki, Dube, Bennett to their deals and make another free agent splash.

This seems pretty close to me based on what we know today.

I'd say that who gets exposed between Mangiapane, Dube, Backlund and Bennett will depend on a) if we add a forward without giving up one of the 7 above, and b) how their season progresses next year. I can't see it being Dube. But could see it being one of the other 3 depending on their season. I could also see a Gaudreau trade as well though, so there's a few what if's there.

I have to believe - that at 38, they would strongly consider making Gio available if they acquired another dman or Kylington really stepped it up this year.