I'm also surprised how many people are putting Tkachuk in a trade... what's the deal there?

I think the Pens would pay a hell of a lot to get him if he were available.
- MacPatty

I would say the only reason he isn’t untouchable is that the aav on his next contract is 9 million, arguably a bit more than he’s worth. But I think most of us are in agreement we are only willing to move him if it’s for an upgrade which eichel would be.

If I was the Flames, not sure I'd be excited about any of those offers.

There is a huge risk with Eichel, he has a huge contract and he is not a leader who is going to carry a team. Really talented of course but I just don't think he is THE guy you go all in on.

I think Monahan or Tkachuk and the #12 for Eichel might be fair but I don't even know I would do that if I'm Calgary.
- MacPatty

Honestly, I think Eichel is grossly overrated.

He is a legit 1st liner, but his personality seems to lead towards team disappointment than leader.

I rather have Tkachuk on my team than Eichel.

Honestly, I think Eichel is grossly overrated.

He is a legit 1st liner, but his personality seems to lead towards team disappointment than leader.

I rather have Tkachuk on my team than Eichel.
- aries1976

That’s certainly a take

All do respect I think 2022 and 2023 1sts are off limits for me. As much fun as it is to be optimistic we can’t deny there’s a very real possibility that this whole thing goes down in flames over the next two years. One can only imagine where the sens would be if they never made the duchene trade and I would rather not find out what kind of nightmare it was for their fans to go through that.
- RedC21

Fair enough - but as far as getting a top center, either we win the draft lotto, or a top C lands on our lap as a UFA, or we get damaged goods or a PO'd player. If we don't pursue Eichel, then the best we could do is recycle Gaudreau & Monahan into more 1st round picks, hope Hall signs, hope team success attracts talented UFAs who come in same time as those 1sts, along with Pelletier & Zary. That would be interesting to model out in excel.

Buffalo will probably value draft picks to get ELCs that will stick around for a while and reduce the risk of flight. Then you add in one or two decent players (Zary/Kylington/Valimaki/Pelletier/Philips). Then you could load up the top two lines, maybe trade Monahan for a decent RW.

I think Calgary should be targeting Sam Reinhart, not Eichel. Right handed shot, will cost less to acquire, wants to play center, will cost less against the cap (vs. Eichel), wants to be in Western Canada apparently (doubt Eichel would be excited to move to Canada), and is Healthy. Makes more sense on all accounts. Monahan (health issues) + Zary + 2nd 2022 and I'd do it. He's younger, and a better player than Monahan right now, regardless of Monahan's past. Between Zary and Pelletier, I prefer Pelletier.

That’s certainly a take
- sbroads24

Not everyone needs another Jane on their team, some teams need a tarzan to go with their Jane's.

Eichel is gifted offensively, more than Tkachuk, each team needs something a little different.

I think Calgary should be targeting Sam Reinhart, not Eichel. Right handed shot, will cost less to acquire, wants to play center, will cost less against the cap (vs. Eichel), wants to be in Western Canada apparently (doubt Eichel would be excited to move to Canada), and is Healthy. Makes more sense on all accounts. Monahan (health issues) + Zary + 2nd 2022 and I'd do it. He's younger, and a better player than Monahan right now, regardless of Monahan's past. Between Zary and Pelletier, I prefer Pelletier.
- quinneroma

IMO that's a huge overpay for Reinhart (a 1 for 1 trade for Mony is fair).
Career Stats:
Reinhart
GP 454. G 134, ASS 161, PTS 295, FO%, 38.8
Mony
GP 516, G 182, ASST 223, PTS 405, FO% 50.7
Its not that I don't like Reinhart and his right shot would be a good addition but you cant be a top 2 Center with a FO winning % of 38.8. Dude is a RW and Mony is a C!

I dont think Adams is negotiating from a point of weakness. At the end of the day I guarantee 31 teams out there (including Seattle) are calling to inquire on the price. Its going to be a bidding war.

IMO that's a huge overpay for Reinhart (a 1 for 1 trade for Mony is fair).
Career Stats:
Reinhart
GP 454. G 134, ASS 161, PTS 295, FO%, 38.8
Mony
GP 516, G 182, ASST 223, PTS 405, FO% 50.7
Its not that I don't like Reinhart and his right shot would be a good addition but you cant be a top 2 Center with a FO winning % of 38.8. Dude is a RW and Mony is a C!
- DEDDIE

Agree that’s a huge over pay. We can use the right shot for sure, but I’d prefer an Alex Tuch instead.

IMO that's a huge overpay for Reinhart (a 1 for 1 trade for Mony is fair).
Career Stats:
Reinhart
GP 454. G 134, ASS 161, PTS 295, FO%, 38.8
Mony
GP 516, G 182, ASST 223, PTS 405, FO% 50.7
Its not that I don't like Reinhart and his right shot would be a good addition but you cant be a top 2 Center with a FO winning % of 38.8. Dude is a RW and Mony is a C!
- DEDDIE

Past career stats don't matter at this point, take the past 2 seasons? Who would you rather have RIGHT now? I'd take Reinhart over Monahan and Zary for the next 2-3 seasons easy. Reinhart is the superior overall player, and his analytics show that too, even on a crappy Buffalo team.

IMO that's a huge overpay for Reinhart (a 1 for 1 trade for Mony is fair).
Career Stats:
Reinhart
GP 454. G 134, ASS 161, PTS 295, FO%, 38.8
Mony
GP 516, G 182, ASST 223, PTS 405, FO% 50.7
Its not that I don't like Reinhart and his right shot would be a good addition but you cant be a top 2 Center with a FO winning % of 38.8. Dude is a RW and Mony is a C!
- DEDDIE

Reinhart is supposed to develop into a decent 2-way center. IMO face-off skills can be learned. The problem with Monahan is he really does not bring any 2-way game. When he is not scoring then he is not helping the team.

Can someone clarify for me...

Why would a team not want a star player to get surgery? I know it means he wont suit up for a while, but having him in/out of lineup, possibly out for long stretches is not really a positive tradeoff.

Are there other reasons?

Agree that’s a huge over pay. We can use the right shot for sure, but I’d prefer an Alex Tuch instead.
- K-man25

Im with you KMan & with Vegas in the market for a top 2 centre, Monahan for Tuch becomes a very interesting scenario.

If there is a chance to get a player like Eichel then the flames should be willing to trade any and everyone to get the deal done. What is currently in place on this team isn't getting Calgary any closer to a cup and getting a #1 center is the one of if the hardest thing to do.

I think option one would be the starting point, but I think Calgary needs to add to get Buffalo to bite, I'd add in Mangiapane + a 2nd if required.

Past career stats don't matter at this point, take the past 2 seasons? Who would you rather have RIGHT now? I'd take Reinhart over Monahan and Zary for the next 2-3 seasons easy. Reinhart is the superior overall player, and his analytics show that too, even on a crappy Buffalo team.
- quinneroma

They're only 2 years apart & for the last 2-3 years this hip injury has been rearing its head in the 2nd half of the season on Monahan & now he finally has it fixed. I would not do a 1-1 with Monahan for Reinhart & why would Buffalo do that either.

Yeah Eichel is going to get 31 phone calls, maybe not from the Oilers, so it will give the perceived illusion of bidding war but the word out is the ask is so huge, no one is going to pay it with any hint that the neck injury could be an issue for these next 5 years. Either Buffalo ask goes down significantly or Sabres need to keep him this next year. He'll be just as coveted with 4 years left, even more if he has a good year next year. We know from rumours that Treliving has already talked to Adams but the insiders assume its a Gaudreau for Eichel scenario. Probably reality, knowing Treliving, it's more Gaudreau + pieces for Reinhart & possibly that #1 over all. Powers would be nice but Sabres have Dahlin & they already have some nice young D in the pipeline & this draft is full of them. Sabres have been rebuilding as long as the Oilers & they still have to put a team out & Gaudreau with Eichel is probably a big option both Flames & Sabres may consider if the scenario leads them to that point. I dont think expansion draft matter on a deal like this, what matters is July 27th when Gaudreaus NTC kicks in. So if Sabres cant get that huge package for Eichel this may be a plan B. Gaudreau, maybe Dube, Valamaki or our #12 for Reinhart & the #1. Lindholm & Reinhart would be a decent 1/2 punch to build a top 2 lines around. Key will be if Buffalo doesnt get a decent package for Eichel &/or Treliving doesnt feel he can get Gaudreau extended for a reasonable cap hit. Things will get interesting as we get to the middle of July.

The only way you go for Eichel is if Monny goes back the other way. We dont need Monny and it makes zero sense to trade lindholm. Hes one of the best #2 centers in the league and very smart and can play any situation.
Line #1 Johhny, Eichel, Mango
Line #2 Chucky, Lindholm, FA signing
Backlund #3 center

Agree that’s a huge over pay. We can use the right shot for sure, but I’d prefer an Alex Tuch instead.
- K-man25

would Monahan get Tuch? Then seem to be winger over centre heavy

Then grab statsny as a UFA?

JG/Lind/Tuch
Tchachuk/Stats/Mangs
Dube/Backs/Zary(??)

The only way you go for Eichel is if Monny goes back the other way. We dont need Monny and it makes zero sense to trade lindholm. Hes one of the best #2 centers in the league and very smart and can play any situation.
Line #1 Johhny, Eichel, Mango
Line #2 Chucky, Lindholm, FA signing
Backlund #3 center
- hotshotbeer

You don't seem to understand that Buffalo has to be getting stuff they want for a trade to happen.

The Flames aren't getting Eichel unless an extended Gaudreau or Tkachuk are in the deal. The Flames don't have any amazing prospects and are only drafting 12th. If you're only willing to give up Monahan, there are probably 30 better offers on the table.

Can someone clarify for me...

Why would a team not want a star player to get surgery? I know it means he wont suit up for a while, but having him in/out of lineup, possibly out for long stretches is not really a positive tradeoff.

Are there other reasons?
- Leniwm1

I read that the problem lies with the uncertainty of the surgery as there have been few elite athletes that have had the procedure. So Buffalo feels there is not enough information saying that the surgery will be a success and would prefer Eichel to focus on rehab. I guess Buffalo has the final say in what he does. This is the cause of the tension and why Eichel wants out.

Im with you KMan & with Vegas in the market for a top 2 centre, Monahan for Tuch becomes a very interesting scenario.
- Kevin R

Yup, I would be all over getting a guy like Tuch..

You don't seem to understand that Buffalo has to be getting stuff they want for a trade to happen.

The Flames aren't getting Eichel unless an extended Gaudreau or Tkachuk are in the deal. The Flames don't have any amazing prospects and are only drafting 12th. If you're only willing to give up Monahan, there are probably 30 better offers on the table.
- Squeaky

Obviously it is a 1 for 1 deal. Monny, Hanifin, and iether Zary or a 1st pick. Flames have leverage as Eichel wants out. Buffalo gets another top center who has had good NHL numbers.

Obviously it is a 1 for 1 deal. Monny, Hanifin, and iether Zary or a 1st pick. Flames have leverage as Eichel wants out. Buffalo gets another top center who has had good NHL numbers.
- hotshotbeer

That's not nearly enough for Eichel, and the Flames can't do it either. Who replaces Hanifin? They're extremely thin on the backend and can't be trading their best defenceman.

The Flames don't have leverage because there are probably at least 15 teams trying to get Eichel and no one is looking at Monahan as a top centre right now.

would Monahan get Tuch? Then seem to be winger over centre heavy

Then grab statsny as a UFA?

JG/Lind/Tuch
Tchachuk/Stats/Mangs
Dube/Backs/Zary(??)
- numbear

I believe this team should stop going after aging vets to fill top 6 roles. If we don’t start playing our prospects, how are we to really know what they can provide? If we trade Monahan, we should replace him with Dube. He’s played center in junior and should be given an opportunity here.
I’m hoping any ufas Tre signs this year don’t block Ruzicka, Gawdin or Phillips from getting a chance.
Sign Ritchie, and Stone both Sutter type players.

Would a 2nd round pick get DeBrusk out of Boston?

Would a 2nd round pick get DeBrusk out of Boston?
- K-man25

Please not another soft left shot forward. He could not get in the Bruins playoff lineup for a reason.