Gaudreau's positive words, might be contract negotiation strategy. If he can cash in, he'll sign (and I think that's what got Tre in hot water with Neal, I don't think we appreciate the fact in Calgary that we have to pay up if we want to land a big fish UFA) otherwise, we hope and depend on the core being close bros to influence him resigning. The news about his wife doesn't help us.

Glad to see some of you admitting Backlund has to go. Bennett really exposed that reality - but there's nothing to suggest that anything will change, coach will want dependable Backlund on the ice when it matters.

There's also a few interesting Alberta & Saskatchewan kids, who are projected around our spot. I think one or two of them were captains for team Canada WJCH. Lots of centers from picks ~8-16 - and they might as well try to win to lotto with one of them, and then use their seconds on a decent RW
- eastcanadAREaholes

Regina boy Corson ceulmans 1.375 points per game with brooks is pretty close to cale makar’s 1.38…

Albeit he only got in 8 games this season but on the other hand put up 8 points in 6 games at the U18s, most by a defender on team Canada including Brandt Clarke.

I wouldn’t put much stock into the short sample size but for a guy that reports suggest is more of a two way defender to put up good offensive totals tells me their probably some raw talent there.

Also we have literally no RHD in our system and tanev is over 30 so that might be an issue in 2-3 years

Or use the seconds to trade up!

- DuranDuran

Yeah possibly, or bail out a team that's against the cap & get a good player in return. Good teams making a run & no cap space are probably/hopefully on Tre's list.. it's almost essential to have a few ELCs to make superstar salaries work, which makes getting the 3rd for Neal that much more satisfying.

Regina boy Corson ceulmans 1.375 points per game with brooks is pretty close to cale makar’s 1.38…

Albeit he only got in 8 games this season but on the other hand put up 8 points in 6 games at the U18s, most by a defender on team Canada including Brandt Clarke.

I wouldn’t put much stock into the short sample size but for a guy that reports suggest is more of a two way defender to put up good offensive totals tells me their probably some raw talent there.

Also we have literally no RHD in our system and tanev is over 30 so that might be an issue in 2-3 years
- RedC21

Tends to happen when you mortgage the future away to take a run at Hamonic. I think something needs to be done about RW, at least use a 2nd to address it.. for the sake of Zary..

But if Makar's the ceiling for him.. pretty tempting

Tends to happen when you mortgage the future away to take a run at Hamonic. I think something needs to be done about RW, at least use a 2nd to address it.. for the sake of Zary..

But if Makar's the ceiling for him.. pretty tempting
- eastcanadAREaholes

Haha like I said short sample size but with this year I would rather take a chance on a guy who may never make it or turn into a star over a safe bet.

I do like to consider myself an optimist though which is why I was also didn’t mind the hamonic trade at the time as I like management probably thought that 1st would be late. It’s a bit of a crapshoot given the volatility of the NHL but I would say I was surprised that Tre didn’t put a playoff condition on it given his track record with trades had been decent up to that point. Then again Burke was president here and he did trade two unprotected 1sts for kessel

It does beg the question had there of been protection and that pick wound up as the Pelletier pick how even is that trade?

Todd Cordell: Three negatives from the Calgary Flames' 2020-21 campaign
- ToddCordellCGY

Haha like I said short sample size but with this year I would rather take a chance on a guy who may never make it or turn into a star over a safe bet.

I do like to consider myself an optimist though which is why I was also didn’t mind the hamonic trade at the time as I like management probably thought that 1st would be late. It’s a bit of a crapshoot given the volatility of the NHL but I would say I was surprised that Tre didn’t put a playoff condition on it given his track record with trades had been decent up to that point. Then again Burke was president here and he did trade two unprotected 1sts for kessel

It does beg the question had there of been protection and that pick wound up as the Pelletier pick how even is that trade?
- RedC21

We got snowed on the Hamonic deal. But good on Snow for selling high. Wish we could have done that on Brodie.

We got snowed on the Hamonic deal. But good on Snow for selling high. Wish we could have done that on Brodie.
- DuranDuran

I didn’t like it but at least IMO I thought it was defendable when the belief was that he was the missing piece for us to be a contender.

As far as Brodie goes his value had been pretty low since the Hamilton/gulutzan era. It wasn’t until after his health scare last year that his play rebounded to his 2014/15 version. I would have resigned him but you also would have ran the risk of that rebound being a flash in the pan.

Also with the talking period eliminated players had to make quicker decisions. I think he would have resigned and Calgary wanted to resign him but the focus was on markstrom and by the time we returned to him he was gone. Either way we wouldn’t have had the cap space to sign him to what he got but considering we got tanev with the money we did have I’d say the loss is pretty well canceled out. Also I while I’m surprised he works well as a shutdown D given what we seen in his time here his usage in Toronto has benefited him as a player more than I think he was ever going to here

Also I think that Gaudreau’s chances of staying in Calgary just drastically increased with it sounding like Seth Jones may be on the move. I’m sure the hometown boy would be of great interest for philly but defence is a clear issue there and they are probably never going to have the opportunity to add one of his caliber for a while.

- Nucker101

Coffee shop in Cumberland??

Also I think that Gaudreau’s chances of staying in Calgary just drastically increased with it sounding like Seth Jones may be on the move. I’m sure the hometown boy would be of great interest for philly but defence is a clear issue there and they are probably never going to have the opportunity to add one of his caliber for a while.
- RedC21

I am out of the loop. Is Seth Jones to Calgary a serious rumour?

I am out of the loop. Is Seth Jones to Calgary a serious rumour?
- DuranDuran

I would highly doubt it and personally I don’t think we’re a Seth Jones away from being a cup contender so I’m not so sure I’m interested. It seems to me we always are attached to a lot of players but if I had to guess all that means is we called to see what gets the ball rolling which is at least better than not calling at all and potentially missing a bargain.

I was more so saying any assets/focus the flyers were planning to put in to acquiring Gaudreau should surely be switching to Jones.

I would highly doubt it and personally I don’t think we’re a Seth Jones away from being a cup contender so I’m not so sure I’m interested. It seems to me we always are attached to a lot of players but if I had to guess all that means is we called to see what gets the ball rolling which is at least better than not calling at all and potentially missing a bargain.

I was more so saying any assets/focus the flyers were planning to put in to acquiring Gaudreau should surely be switching to Jones.
- RedC21

Flames going all in on Seth now would be as smart as Montreal going all in on Weber back in the day......how does Bergevin still have a job after trading Sergachev.

Flames going all in on Seth now would be as smart as Montreal going all in on Weber back in the day......how does Bergevin still have a job after trading Sergachev.
- DuranDuran

Seth Jones seems to be the flavour of the week. Remember he’s only 26 and would definitely be a high price to aquire.
Are the Flamesin the right position to go after him? Or is it just going to let them continue o finish just out or just in the playoffs and screw them for draft ratings.

Seth Jones seems to be the flavour of the week. Remember he’s only 26 and would definitely be a high price to aquire.
Are the Flamesin the right position to go after him? Or is it just going to let them continue o finish just out or just in the playoffs and screw them for draft ratings.
- K-man25

Top future pairing of Hanifin and Jones would not be bad... that's for sure. Wouldn't spend a player asset to try to acquire, he'd be a UFA chase for me now that he's told CBJ that he wants to explore free agency. $8-9M/season for the guy is my guess at his cap hit, and so my bigger question is whether or not we will be able to afford it next season. Gio comes off the cap one way or another, but we're going to have to pay Mangiapane, Tkachuk and Gaudreau as well and that will eat into the savings from Gio PDQ.

Seth Jones seems to be the flavour of the week. Remember he’s only 26 and would definitely be a high price to aquire.
Are the Flamesin the right position to go after him? Or is it just going to let them continue o finish just out or just in the playoffs and screw them for draft ratings.
- K-man25

That is what I am getting at. Not every day that a stud #1 D comes on the market, but if you are going to spend $10 million for the next 8 years on one player you better have a cup contender.

This is what pisses me off about the current management. I do not see a long-term plan. I just see them hoping to make the playoffs and go on a miracle run. That is not good enough, and I blame ownership.

Seth Jones seems to be the flavour of the week. Remember he’s only 26 and would definitely be a high price to aquire.
Are the Flamesin the right position to go after him? Or is it just going to let them continue o finish just out or just in the playoffs and screw them for draft ratings.
- K-man25

no. you misunderstood redc21.

that was a convoluted message redc, but this isn't university so whatever

his point was, Seth Jones might get moved, and Philadelphia would be more interested in Jones than Gaudreau, considering the hole they have on defense.

So that makes it more likely, that Gaudreau will resign in Calgary.

lol @ everyone.....

no. you misunderstood redc21.

that was a convoluted message redc, but this isn't university so whatever

his point was, Seth Jones might get moved, and Philadelphia would be more interested in Jones than Gaudreau, considering the hole they have on defense.

So that makes it more likely, that Gaudreau will resign in Calgary.

lol @ everyone.....
- eastcanadAREaholes

What's the end game if you sign Gaudreau? Try to compete with the current core? Rebuild on the fly?

What's the end game if you sign Gaudreau? Try to compete with the current core? Rebuild on the fly?
- Nucker101

Exactly. Show me there is a plan. This team is not close to being a contender. Not saying I want them to blow it up but trade the pieces that you were supposed to build around that have been ineffective. Building around left-wingers has not worked.

It could always be worse. We could cheer for the Leafs.

Makes a guy wonder if they should be spending all that money on a couple of players.

It could always be worse. We could cheer for the Leafs.

Makes a guy wonder if they should be spending all that money on a couple of players.
- DuranDuran

the one thing that unites the rest of Canada is a good ole fashioned Leafs choke job

the one thing that unites the rest of Canada is a good ole fashioned Leafs choke job
- Nucker101

1632 comments on the Leaf thread... and counting. Wait until the new one gets posted. Bruins fans will be piling on... I CAN'T WAIT!

Exactly. Show me there is a plan. This team is not close to being a contender. Not saying I want them to blow it up but trade the pieces that you were supposed to build around that have been ineffective. Building around left-wingers has not worked.
- DuranDuran

Well from the dots I seem to be connecting, resigning Gaudreau to a fair market 6 year deal helps keep a semblance of a top line together for awhile. I think Gaudreau & Tkachuk may get matching 6 year 8.0 mill per deals. They will probably be assured they are at the top end of what any other Flame will be paid in this flat cap.

Then I will put $$$ down that Gio is the one the Kracken wind up taking. Their choice will be Gio, Lucic, Kyllington, Phillips or Ryan. Of those, Gio is the no brainer in my view, he stabilizes the new teams backend coming out of the gate, still capable of playing 20 minutes a game & then at the trade deadline, there will be a bidding war of contenders that would score the Kracken a late 1st, & a prospect & maybe even an extra 3rd or 4th. So boom, 6.75 mill added to our cap space this summer.

Talk of Monahan being shopped by many sources leads me to believe he could be the piece that would go toward acquiring Jones. Remember, Jones is technically a rental & Columbus are looking for a centre. Monahan may not be a top line centre but he is a solid 2C. that can score goals. Im sure we have to add. But with Gio gone, Jones would be a solid fit. I know many want to Kablooey the team but that aint happening & Treliving & Sutter are on the same page & will be trying to sneak through a quickly closing window. Also, Jones for 1 year doesnt touch any of our extra cap space we have. So between Ryan gone Gio gone we have $$$ to go after a top 6 RW to play with Backlund & Magpie. I can see re-inking Ryan on the cheap to play 3C with Lucic & Dube. If we suck next year, we will be seeing a new a new GM handle the rebuild. In the meantime, I totally can see Treliving upping the pot to get a piece like Jones for next year & then try to get him to stay if we have success next year.
Just my humble opinion.

Exactly. Show me there is a plan. This team is not close to being a contender. Not saying I want them to blow it up but trade the pieces that you were supposed to build around that have been ineffective. Building around left-wingers has not worked.
- DuranDuran

If sutter’s words are any indication I think the plan for better or worse is to try and compete for the duration of his stay.

Realistically if that is the plan 1 of 3 things are likely to happen: we barely make it in, we barely miss out or the team turns into a dumpster fire and we find ourselves in the Shane Wright/connor bedard sweepstakes anyways.

As far as Gaudreau goes if teams are expecting a discount I try to resign him before moving him.

What I believe have failed the oilers/sabres rebuilds is that they trade everyone of value and the high draft picks are left with borderline nhl players to play with when they come in.

While I like to joke about the leafs as much as the next guy part of the reason they made the playoffs matthew’s rookie year was that he, marner and nylander were joining a team that already featured JVR, Kadri, Bozak, Reilly etc.

So if we do find ourselves in a spot to get Wright/bedard having a point per game winger in Gaudreau already he to flank him would be a better option than say Dube

If anything you move the core pieces that have either underperformed or will be too old to contribute in a few years anyways (monahan, backlund, giordano)

Well from the dots I seem to be connecting, resigning Gaudreau to a fair market 6 year deal helps keep a semblance of a top line together for awhile. I think Gaudreau & Tkachuk may get matching 6 year 8.0 mill per deals. They will probably be assured they are at the top end of what any other Flame will be paid in this flat cap.

Then I will put $$$ down that Gio is the one the Kracken wind up taking. Their choice will be Gio, Lucic, Kyllington, Phillips or Ryan. Of those, Gio is the no brainer in my view, he stabilizes the new teams backend coming out of the gate, still capable of playing 20 minutes a game & then at the trade deadline, there will be a bidding war of contenders that would score the Kracken a late 1st, & a prospect & maybe even an extra 3rd or 4th. So boom, 6.75 mill added to our cap space this summer.

Talk of Monahan being shopped by many sources leads me to believe he could be the piece that would go toward acquiring Jones. Remember, Jones is technically a rental & Columbus are looking for a centre. Monahan may not be a top line centre but he is a solid 2C. that can score goals. Im sure we have to add. But with Gio gone, Jones would be a solid fit. I know many want to Kablooey the team but that aint happening & Treliving & Sutter are on the same page & will be trying to sneak through a quickly closing window. Also, Jones for 1 year doesnt touch any of our extra cap space we have. So between Ryan gone Gio gone we have $$$ to go after a top 6 RW to play with Backlund & Magpie. I can see re-inking Ryan on the cheap to play 3C with Lucic & Dube. If we suck next year, we will be seeing a new a new GM handle the rebuild. In the meantime, I totally can see Treliving upping the pot to get a piece like Jones for next year & then try to get him to stay if we have success next year.
Just my humble opinion.
- Kevin R

You layout a pretty realistic scenario.

IMO, Lindholm and Backs are a pretty weak 1-2 up the middle, and Backlund is not getting younger. But maybe there is another deal for a C that could strengthen the Centre position in the future, like if Seguin or someone of his caliber becomes available. No matter what we are patching holes.

I worry the above scenario just extends the status quo. Hoping that the stars align when and if they reach playoffs.

1632 comments on the Leaf thread... and counting. Wait until the new one gets posted. Bruins fans will be piling on... I CAN'T WAIT!
- geta02it

The first round couldn't have gone any better as far as I'm concerned. Love it.