Who do you HOPE Seattle takes in the expansion draft.

[Vinny01]

Mods maybe we could turn this into a poll?

I have been debating all offseason what would be the best for the Flames during expansion. Based on the team today there are some absolute locks for protection.

Forward locks: Gaudreau, Monahan, Tkachuk, Lindholm
Defense locks: Andersson, Hanifin
Goalie: Markstrom

A couple things first. I assume Lucic waives and before this thread fills with hope Lucic will be selected let’s assume the only way that happens is if it is very painful for the Flames (1st++) so if you want Lucic gone it will cost premium futures.

The remaining 3 slots at forward are currently a toss up between
Backlund, Dube, Mangipane, Bennett
The remaining slot on the blueline is a pick between
Giordano, Tanev, Kylington

I think based on the flat cap my hope is a toss up between Gio, Tanev and Backlund. Tanev would be my pick for sure but I would also be okay with Backlund. While he is still extremely valuable I do think removing his cap hit would be great for flexibility next offseason and due to the term it makes a lot of sense for the Flames. If he remains as productive as he was last year then he brings value to the Kraken. Tanev will need to have a very strong season to be considered and getting out of the last 3 years of that deal are appealing to me. Gio is another option but with only one year left in a summer before a bunch of new deals are needed (Gaudreau, Tkachuk, Mangipane) it would be preferred to have Gio remain a Flame for his career.


Seeing the discussion in the trade thread and knowing we will have a flat cap next year what is the best case scenario for the Flames?

[Fighting Banana Slug]

Tanev, probably, based on salary and term vs. value to the team. Next year is huge though. I am not fully on board with Kylington, so I wouldn't be heart broken if he gets picked, unless he shows serious improvement next year.

[Canada 02]

Derek Ryan

[Derek Sutton]

Originally Posted by Canada 02

Derek Ryan

Will be UFA

Based on salary and perceived center depth, I say Backlund is left un protected as is Kylington. Now ideally these two are moved prior to the deadline for picks/ prospects and depth players who can be exposed.

[Caged Great]

backlund

[Canada 02]

Originally Posted by Derek Sutton

Will be UFA

I know; so was Deryk Engelland

[Geeoff]

I think the most important to keep is Dubé, so I am preparing to lose Mangiapane

[GreenLantern2814]

A forward.

I’ll be irritated if we spent all this time developing Kylington and he becomes a star for someone else.

[SeanCharles]

Kylington and Bennett with breakout performances and force Flames hand:

Gaudreau, Monahan, Lindholm, Tkachuk, Mangiapane, Dube, Bennett

Andersson, Hanifin, Kylington

Seattle takes Backlund in this instance.

[N-E-B]

We got luck last expansion draft but I don’t think we will this time. We’re gonna lose someone good.

[TheIronMaiden]

Originally Posted by Caged Great

backlund

That Backlund contract will only get worse with time. His time as a legit 2 center is coming to an end ( if they aren't over already). I love the player, but at 34 he should not be making north of 5 mil.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by Geeoff

I think the most important to keep is Dubé, so I am preparing to lose Mangiapane

We should be able to keep both. It would then come down to a choice between Bennett or Backlund

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by TheIronMaiden

That Backlund contract will only get worse with time. His time as a legit 2 center is coming to an end ( if they aren't over already). I love the player, but at 34 he should not be making north of 5 mil.

The Backlund contract is fine. He was better this year than he was last. No reason to assume he won’t be at least this good for another two seasons.

I don’t see him being worse than Derek Ryan at any point in the next four either, and if that’s the case, the contract is at worst a modest overpay.

But there’s no guarantee or evidence that it’s even that - so far, Backs has earned his money.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by TheIronMaiden

That Backlund contract will only get worse with time. His time as a legit 2 center is coming to an end ( if they aren't over already). I love the player, but at 34 he should not be making north of 5 mil.

Only gets worse implies it's already bad.
No doubt his performance will decline, but right now he's been a very consistent two way player and the decline has yet to start.

I get the risk as the deal plays out. But I don't understand the perception from some that it's already a bad deal.

[DoubleK]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

We should be able to keep both. It would then come down to a choice between Bennett or Backlund

Unless Bennett makes a huge stride forward you expose him and he probably doesn't get taken.

Seems pretty straightforward (pun intended).

[Reign of Fire]

First choice: Tanev, hopefully after he has a strong season.
Hard Choice: Backlund, move Monahan to 2C.

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[kyuss275]

As of right now, for me, it would be Kylington. That said have to see how older players like Gio , Tanev and Backlund play. If Gio regress to a 2nd pair dman I wouldn’t mind getting $6.8 million off the books

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by Canada 02

I know; so was Deryk Engelland

IIRC, Calgary had nothing available of any interest.


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[AustinL_NHL]

Tanev lol

I have a feeling the Flames' hand might be forced to expose Backlund as well, which would probably make it an easy choice for Seattle.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Sam Bennett. You asked.