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The Calgary Flames are going to be very busy this off-season. We don’t know in which fashion – retooling, rebuilding, etc. – but we know they’ll be busy.
They were likely to pull the trigger on some sizable moves, and really change things up, prior to the playoffs. With the way their star players struggled throughout, and how the season ended in such embarrassing fashion, I like it is inevitable.
There is just no way GM Brad Treliving can run things back exactly like they were and, at this point, I don’t think he wants to.
The trade market is likely where Treliving will make his biggest changes.
With TSN’s Frank Seravalli releasing a 20 player trade bait board, I thought it’d be fun to comb through and look at some players who could be of interest.
RW - Josh Anderson
Remaining contract: RFA
The Flames have been linked to Anderson a lot in recent years. And, really, it’s easy to see why. They want more scoring pop on the wing and they want more physical, ‘playoff’ style players. Anderson meets the criteria.
While this season can’t be looked at as anything but a disappointment – he missed a lot of time and was rather ineffective when he did play – his track record over the last few years is rock solid.
From 2017-present, Anderson has scored as many 5v5 goals as Filip Forsberg, Taylor Hall, and T.J. Oshie, among others. He can fill the net. He can do so efficiently, too, as he tied Jack Eichel for 68th with .90 goals per 60 minutes during that span.
He’s not a play driver, and he’s not a plus playmaker so you’d need to find him the right center (Elias Lindholm might make sense if he shifts there).
I think he would be a useful piece to have around, though, and Calgary was said to have interest as recently as July.
LW/C - Max Domi
Remaining contract: RFA
Domi is a guy who I really think could, and should, interest the Flames.
He would add some true speed down the middle, which the Flames don’t have a lot of. He’s a very good natural playmaker. He’s excellent in transition and through the neutral zone – generally speaking, Calgary’s centers are lacking those elements – and he would bring some of that edge the Flames seem to love in players.
His point totals dipped 28 this season and he didn’t score a goal in the playoffs. There seems to be some sour grapes in Montreal between Domi and the team. I think, relatively speaking, this is a good opportunity to try and buy low on a good player. He can really help drive an offense.
G - Frederik Andersen
Remaining contract: One year at $5 million
There would need to be some leg work done here because I doubt the Flames would trade for Andersen without a multi-year contract, or at least the framework of one, in place.
That said, I could definitely see the Flames sniffing around. They were in on Andersen last time he was available and – years later – they still haven’t found a reliable, established starting goaltender.
Dustin Wolf looks extremely promising but he's probably two or three years away from really pushing for the starting gig.
The Leafs wouldn’t give Andersen away by any means, however, I don’t think a goaltender with one year left is going to cost a ton – especially with so many solid netminders set to become available in the coming months.
Do I think the Flames *should* trade a couple quality assets, and hand out a lucrative contract, to get Andersen in the mix long-term? No. I think they’d be better off going with a tandem that costs as much as Andersen would, waiting on Wolf, and using the money for upgrades elsewhere.
With that said, Treliving and the Flames are no doubt growing tired of the situation looking stable, only for questions to arise when the games matter most.
Honorable mention: Matt Murray. A lot of what I said about Andersen applies with Murray. His recent performance may not be as good, however, he is younger and would better fit long-term. There also appears to already be some interest there.
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