2018/2019 Trade Speculation and Rumors

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Diane Phagoof

I'm pretty sure Lindholm played wing 90% in Carolina so I wouldn't exactly call him a center. He's also had great success in Calgary as a wing.

But watch how he plays. He looks like he is "playing centre" to me. By that I mean he is doing everything that you want your centre-ice men to do.

[Phagoof]

Originally Posted by TheIronMaiden

People are obsessed with the idea that you can simply find a true number 1 centre, goalie, or defensive in a trade. In truth, the cost of acquisition is astounding, which is why these trades almost never happen. The bottom line is good teams build through the draft.

The EA NHL 2019 logic for team building doesn't work.

Did I say we need a number 1 anything? Monahan is fine as the number 1 and our team strength is depth. ... Except at center. Which is why I would like to build on that strength by adding a center.

Even for the people saying Backlund is a fine as the 2nd line center, okay, I'll bite.

I really hoped Janko would come out as a bonifide top 9 guy this year, but he looks like he's regressed unfortunately.

Can you honestly look yourself in the mirror and say Ryan and Jankowski as 3 and 4 will get the job done with an already average 1 and 2 of Monahan and Backlund?

[Phagoof]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

But watch how he plays. He looks like he is "playing centre" to me. By that I mean he is doing everything that you want your centre-ice men to do.

Fair enough.

Gaudreau-Monahan-Bennett
Tkachuk-Lindholm-Neal
Dube-Backlund-Frolik
Czarnik-Jankowski-Ryan

Gaudreau-Monahan-Neal
Tkachuk-Lindholm-Czarnik
Bennett-Backlund-Frolik
Dube-Jankowski-Ryan

You could do something like that, but I don't like breaking up the first line.

*I actually kinda like the second line-up

** Another thought, could you imagine if Bennett panned out as the #1C we were hoping for? Wouldn't be needing to have this discussion. (I am not a Bennett hater, I really like him actually, it's just unfortunate he was #4 overall and not number #15)

[theslymonkey]

The current C depth is just fine for now. There will be plenty of Cs available at the trade deadline if they need a Vet 3C. Best option right now is to save the cap space to make a splash if needed. Janko/Bennett/Ryan/Dube will do for the 3/4 Centers.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Diane Phagoof

Fair enough.

Gaudreau-Monahan-Bennett
Tkachuk-Lindholm-Neal
Dube-Backlund-Frolik
Czarnik-Jankowski-Ryan

Gaudreau-Monahan-Neal
Tkachuk-Lindholm-Czarnik
Bennett-Backlund-Frolik
Dube-Jankowski-Ryan

You could do something like that, but I don't like breaking up the first line.

*I actually kinda like the second line-up

I think it would be a terrible idea to split the first line, which has been a big part of the point I am making, which is this: The Flames have solid centre depth in their top three, two of which play in the top-six, and this works.

I think you are overthinking this—No, Monahan is not a prototypical top-line centre, but with Lindholm on his wing the combination does the work of an elite #1 centre. No, Backlund is not a prototypical shut-down centre, but is rather a fairly unique player who will dominate defensively while simultaneously driving offence and scoring at a second-line rate. Within that structure the team can be very successful. Ideally there is room to upgrade the third line, but I don't think with the amount of ice-time the bottom six will log that this will prove to be of substantial benefit.

[Phagoof]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

I think it would be a terrible idea to split the first line, which has been a big part of the point I am making, which is this: The Flames have solid centre depth in their top three, two of which play in the top-six, and this works.

I think you are overthinking this—No, Monahan is not a prototypical top-line centre, but with Lindholm on his wing the combination does the work of an elite #1 centre. No, Backlund is not a prototypical shut-down centre, but is rather a fairly unique player who will dominate defensively while simultaneously driving offence and scoring at a second-line rate. Within that structure the team can be very successful. Ideally there is room to upgrade the third line, but I don't think with the amount of ice-time the bottom six will log that this will prove to be of substantial benefit.

Totally disagree. This team needs to make use of its depth and roll 4 lines to be effective. If we continue to be a 4-5 man offense up front, we will be hitting the green when the playoffs start or be out after the first round.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Diane Phagoof

Totally disagree. This team needs to make use of its depth and roll 4 lines to be effective. If we continue to be a 4-5 man offense up front, we will be hitting the green when the playoffs start or be out after the first round.

Well, that is not really what I am saying, but I would also expect that with how players like Neal, Bennett, Frolik and possibly Dube have been playing they will all get within the range of 30–35 points, which is exactly what you want from your third line.

[TheIronMaiden]

Originally Posted by Diane Phagoof

Did I say we need a number 1 anything? Monahan is fine as the number 1 and our team strength is depth. ... Except at center. Which is why I would like to build on that strength by adding a center.

Even for the people saying Backlund is a fine as the 2nd line center, okay, I'll bite.

I really hoped Janko would come out as a bonifide top 9 guy this year, but he looks like he's regressed unfortunately.

Can you honestly look yourself in the mirror and say Ryan and Jankowski as 3 and 4 will get the job done with an already average 1 and 2 of Monahan and Backlund?

I wasnt referring to you specifically. I was spouting off platitudes.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by 1qqaaz

I think the Flames' center depth is basically the same as the Predator's center depth. They seem to be doing fine.

The main difference is that they have way better defense and goaltending.

I don’t watch much Predator hockey so cant say much about the centers. But this is really the point.

You can be fine everywhere but helps to be really exceptional in some places.

[TheScorpion]

Matt Duchene's trade value might be lower now.

I'm sure people won't want him because of his apparent "character issues" but the dude's still got a boatload of talent and he appears to get along well with his teammates. It's not exactly a secret that Ottawa's coaching is incompetent, either -- he's smart.

I think he might be available for the taking.

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by Diane Phagoof

Totally disagree. This team needs to make use of its depth and roll 4 lines to be effective.

We have seen that disproven multiple times already this year.

[metroneck]

I really like the idea of Tkachuk, Lindholm, Neil.

As much as I too hate to take Lindholm off the top line, he is arguably our second best (or close to) centre.

Move Bennett into Tkachuk’s spot (not sure how he’d do on the right side).

Even if the right side is a bit of a revolving door, the top line will still get their points.

[Zulu29]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

We have seen that disproven multiple times already this year.

This. Peters will shorten his bench when required. Our 4 lines are just fine.

[Enoch Root]

I think people get too hung up on individuals and positions. It's a team game.

What I think matters is that the first line, with Lindholm,is now great, if not elite.

The 2nd line, including Tkachuk, is pretty awesome,if not elite.

The 3rd line has potential, with Neal and Bennett but needs a C.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

Matt Duchene's trade value might be lower now.

I'm sure people won't want him because of his apparent "character issues" but the dude's still got a boatload of talent and he appears to get along well with his teammates. It's not exactly a secret that Ottawa's coaching is incompetent, either -- he's smart.

I think he might be available for the taking.

He might be available for the taking but have no doubt the ask is going to be higher than you think. The Sens gave up a boatload for him, they are not going to just shuttle him out of town for peanuts

[Zulu29]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

He might be available for the taking but have no doubt the ask is going to be higher than you think. The Sens gave up a boatload for him, they are not going to just shuttle him out of town for peanuts

On top of that, he seems to have some attitude issues which wouldn’t mesh with what this team is striving for.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Addig Duchene is a fantasy hockey move but a terrible move in real life
Too many red flags and doesn’t address what the team needs
Plus I find his name hard to spell
Pass

[Jiri Hrdina]

Addig Duchene is a fantasy hockey move but a terrible move in real life
Too many red flags and doesn’t address what the team needs
Plus I find his name hard to spell
Pass

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

Addig Duchene is a fantasy hockey move but a terrible move in real life
Too many red flags and doesn’t address what the team needs
Plus I find his name hard to spell
Pass

But not as hard as the word adding.

[Oil Stain]

Duchene will go at the deadline for sure.

He'll return a first plus plus.

Kane still got a half decent return when he was traded and he had way more character smoke surrounding him.