Some news this evening, so let's address it.
After six seasons in Calgary, Andrew Mangiapane has been traded to the Washington Capitals for Colorado's 2025 second round pick. The pick was originally acquired in exchange for Lars Eller at the 2023 NHL Trade Deadline.
It was a bit of a surprise. The organization kept the deal sealed until Thursday evening's announcement. The team now has $28,999,167 in cap space to fill two forward spots in the lineup. As we saw with the Mikheyev and Walman deals, Conroy may be able to bring in another asset in the mid-second round range if he takes on a multi-year deal or two.
Onward to today's piece.
Let’s start this out with a brief congratulations to the Edmonton Oilers and their fans. What a run. Getting to game seven and losing 2-1 to a Florida-based team is now something both fanbases can commiserate about.
You have to wonder what core memories their fans will take with them of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
To be honest, it was a strange run at the Cup. Much of their wins were scoring early goals and locking down the remaining minutes, periods. Maybe point out your favourite game or moment in the comments, because you hope that what we take away from all of this wasn’t only Boob Lady, Paul Coffey having an allegedly racist incident with a fan, daily clips of fans fighting each other for no reason, and of course a failed reverse sweep.
A bit more on Edmonton in a bit, but joking aside, that was a great run. Flames fans haven’t cared more about a Stanley Cup Final in 18 years.
Back to the Flames.
It’s raining on Thursday afternoon in Calgary, Alberta. A drizzle that is expected to develop into a storm as the day carries on.
Perhaps we can take that as a bit of a metaphor for this weekend. We already have a few developments around the NHL — Yzerman setting the market for cap dumps at a second round pick, Ken Holland is moving on from the Oilers, Jeff Skinner is getting bought out — but, things are likely to get crazy soon.
In fact,
just as the above paragraph was written, San Jose and Buffalo set the market for moving down in the draft.
We’re in for a great weekend. With picks #28 and #41, the Flames have the assets to move around should they so choose. Consider the $23,199,167 in cap space to fill (checks notes) one roster spot on forward and we are almost guaranteed that Craig Conroy makes a splash.
A few topics to address.
The Pick
Even the most objective of Flames fans has to be hoping for Tij Iginla’s name to be announced as Calgary’s pick at ninth overall. The 6’0”, 192lb power winger is clearly going to be a top six forward in the NHL for a long time.
There are reservations that Tij should define his own legacy in a different organization, but in terms of best player available, you will be tough-pressed to pick a better player in that spot.
There are rumblings that Konsta Helenius might be Calgary’s choice.
The 5’11”, 190lb Ylöjärvi, Finland native already does so much for Jukirit in the Finnish Liiga — served as the outlet on breakouts and powerplay, played top six minutes in a league that doesn’t normally give teenagers that privilege, and overall served as the glue on a pro team of developed hockey players — Helenius would make a strong case to be a top five pick in other years.
Maybe that’s the way they go, but we at HockeyBuzz would prefer they select someone with a bit of spice on their steak. Berkly Catton has an enticing combination of speed and puck management skills. Tij can create a scoring chance out of almost nothing. There will be two or three defencemen on the board at nine that have top pairing potential.
Bold prediction for Friday: Zayne Parekh and Carter Yakemchuk go earlier than expected and throw the first half of the draft into utter chaos.
Dark McDavid
Does anyone else see this year’s playoffs as a potential origin story for Edmonton’s golden boy? Is it possible that we see Connor throwing more slashes, crosschecks and making overall malicious plays?
Just a theory. Connor had a more defined mean streak in Junior prior to breaking his hand punching plexiglass during an early season fight.
Big Boy on the Market
Multiple sources have confirmed that the Rangers are shopping the final two seasons of Jacob Trouba’s eight million annual average value contract.
For the sake of their own players, Conroy should be all over that. The 30 year old Rangers captain has injured Nazem Kadri and Jakob Pelletier with thunderous hits over the past two seasons. The Flames could absolutely use a menace on the blue line beyond Kevin Bahl.
If the price is lighter due to the high cap hit? All the better.
The only catch is that Trouba has a 15 team No Trade List in his contract, so he would need to be sold on a move to Calgary.
Not Your Average Rookie Season
From Burke’s Law, Conroy’s former mentor Brian Burke would prefer to use his first season to evaluate talent, make the odd adjustment, and then go for a big splash at the draft.
You have to wonder if Conroy plans to do the same.
With the exodus of Jacob Markstrom, Tyler Toffoli, Elias Lindholm, Chris Tanev, Noah Hanifin, and Nikita Zadorov, it’s fair to say that Conroy has made more splashes than Kevin Costner in
Water World Draft Day.
“
Because I haven't seen it. And I've sailed further than most men have dreamed.”
Barring any sort of miracle, the Flames have a roster filled out that will likely finish in the 25-30 range next season. For many fans, that’s a win. Does ownership agree with going that route? If Conroy doesn’t Dance With Wolves by Monday — we’ll know what to expect next season.
Trevor Neufeld
Stats courtesy of NaturalStatTrick, CapFriendly, and the NHL.
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