Trevor Neufeld: A Four-Point Plan to Make the Calgary Flames Enjoyable to Watch Again

Trevor Neufeld: A Four-Point Plan to Make the Calgary Flames Enjoyable to Watch Again
- Trevor_Neufeld_

Point 1 - move somewhere, anywhere other than Calgary

Thanks Trevor fun read.
Some thoughts:
1) You say ''most of the ugly contracts on the team are unsellable''.... other than Huberdeau I dont think any of of our contracts are unsellable.
2) When you say sell high on Z.... what do you think e get for him in a trade?
3) We gave BOS a 3rd to get Vladar.... can we expect better than a 3rd if we trade him?
4) If we can get a 1st in this years draft, I would move Mange and his 2 x 5.8. LW is our position of strength and the best place for us to make a CAP savings hockey trade.
5) Phillips in your top 12 over Coronato ???????

Trevor Neufeld: A Four-Point Plan to Make the Calgary Flames Enjoyable to Watch Again
- Trevor_Neufeld_

Sorry Trevor, big no to trading Zadorov, watching the playoffs this year and I feel every team needs a player like him to succeed. That and him being one of my favourite D to watch. We’ve given up so much sand paper the last little while, not a trend we should keep doing. Nothing wrong with having Z an Dennis on the roster.
MM couldn’t stay on the roster with the Wranglers, don’t see a fit in Calgary, Klapka could be an option but Dryden Hunt is probably closer.
I’d like to see Hanifin to Buffalo for the 12oa + if he signs an extension. Flames desperately need some decent prospects in the fold. I’d move Lindholm as well, seems that he’s made up his mind, let’s get more youth for him.
Is Ruzicka ready for more ice time? Dube play center full time?
Conroy has a ton of options, I guess we’ll have to wait to see how it all goes down.

Thanks Trevor!

Awesome way to start my Sunday, fresh cup of Coffee and some Flames Hockeybuzz content. 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

I am all for bringing in Reeves. I was wondering what had happened with McLean.

After listening to Eric Francis on Flames Talk I cannot see Lindholm wanting to return. If that happens I cannot see Backlund returning.

If that happens do they finally rebuild? Flames center depth would be decimated.

Also, after the lockeroom just ran Sutter out of town, not sure how this team would response to Love.

Interesting times indeed.

Thanks Trevor!

Awesome way to start my Sunday, fresh cup of Coffee and some Flames Hockeybuzz content. 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

I am all for bringing in Reeves. I was wondering what had happened with McLean.

After listening to Eric Francis on Flames Talk I cannot see Lindholm wanting to return. If that happens I cannot see Backlund returning.

If that happens do they finally rebuild? Flames center depth would be decimated.

Also, after the lockeroom just ran Sutter out of town, not sure how this team would response to Love.

Interesting times indeed.
- DuranDuran

Agree Reeves at the right price on a 1 year deal makes a ton of sence.
I think Backs is a Flame for life, the next team captian and straight into club management when he retires.
If Lindy wants out he will bring us back a great return. Hopefully some combination of a top pick this year or a stud young player and picks. Maybe DET is a good match with #9, Wallinder and a pick for Lindy and Ruziicka.

Agree Reeves at the right price on a 1 year deal makes a ton of sence.
I think Backs is a Flame for life, the next team captian and straight into club management when he retires.
If Lindy wants out he will bring us back a great return. Hopefully some combination of a top pick this year or a stud young player and picks. Maybe DET is a good match with #9, Wallinder and a pick for Lindy and Ruziicka.
- DEDDIE

Reaves is older than Lucic, imo big mistake using a roster spot on a guy like him. We need to get faster and Reaves doesn’t help in that area.

We won’t be able to extend Lindholm, Hanifin, Toffoli and maintain a good team on the ice since we don’t have any entry-levels ready to jump in and make an immediate impact, or key players signed long-term at a discount (only one being Ras). That’s the key in the new NHL. To keep the core intact the rest of the roster will need to be depleted.

So sell every valuable asset and rebuild. That’s how we’ll see an exciting team again in Calgary.

We won’t be able to extend Lindholm, Hanifin, Toffoli and maintain a good team on the ice since we don’t have any entry-levels ready to jump in and make an immediate impact, or key players signed long-term at a discount (only one being Ras). That’s the key in the new NHL. To keep the core intact the rest of the roster will need to be depleted.

So sell every valuable asset and rebuild. That’s how we’ll see an exciting team again in Calgary.
- redseerpf

We won’t be able to extend Lindholm, Hanifin, Toffoli and maintain a good team on the ice since we don’t have any entry-levels ready to jump in and make an immediate impact, or key players signed long-term at a discount (only one being Ras). That’s the key in the new NHL. To keep the core intact the rest of the roster will need to be depleted.

So sell every valuable asset and rebuild. That’s how we’ll see an exciting team again in Calgary.
- redseerpf

Agree but I don't think Murray does!

Reaves is older than Lucic, imo big mistake using a roster spot on a guy like him. We need to get faster and Reaves doesn’t help in that area.
- K-man25

Conny said in his press conference we are going to insert some young players into our lineup next year so we better have someone in our lineup to provide some security for those kids.

Thanks Trevor fun read.
Some thoughts:
1) You say ''most of the ugly contracts on the team are unsellable''.... other than Huberdeau I dont think any of of our contracts are unsellable.
2) When you say sell high on Z.... what do you think e get for him in a trade?
3) We gave BOS a 3rd to get Vladar.... can we expect better than a 3rd if we trade him?
4) If we can get a 1st in this years draft, I would move Mange and his 2 x 5.8. LW is our position of strength and the best place for us to make a CAP savings hockey trade.
5) Phillips in your top 12 over Coronato ???????
- DEDDIE

1.) Kadri and Markstrom being the other contracts you could argue are unsellable. Both coming off brutal seasons. Markstrom having an NMC.

Expecting a solid year next season and for that to change, but right now it’s going to hurt to find a price for a team to take either of them.

2.) If they wait until the deadline, you might swing a 2024 first round pick. Especially if Zadorov has another strong season of even strength goal production. As of right now, we don’t have much precedent to go off of. A 2023 second round pick would be a great return.

3.) Vladar would definitely get a third round pick given his $2,200,000 salary for two more seasons. The UFA goalie market has some solid names, but none of the good ones will be getting less than three million.

https://www.spotrac.com/n...ee-agents/goaltender/ufa/

Here is a link to those options. There’s four or five goalies in there that you could realistically see a GM settling on as a #1 or #1a. Jarry, Andersen, Talbot, Varlamov, and Hill if a team were to gamble on his knee holding up.

The contract and stats prior to a late season spiral this year imply Vladar could handle more starts. That could be worth a lot to a contender.

4.) Expecting a big year from Mangiapane. Had a busted shoulder this season that he finally got surgery on.

5.) Just a personal choice there. Coronato is waiver eligible and might do well to play a ton of offensive starts and powerplay with the Wranglers. Would be excited to see him make the team too — just would like to see if there is a star in Matthew Phillips first. He’s a hell of a talent.

1.) Kadri and Markstrom being the other contracts you could argue are unsellable. Both coming off brutal seasons. Markstrom having an NMC.

Expecting a solid year next season and for that to change, but right now it’s going to hurt to find a price for a team to take either of them.

2.) If they wait until the deadline, you might swing a 2024 first round pick. Especially if Zadorov has another strong season of even strength goal production. As of right now, we don’t have much precedent to go off of. A 2023 second round pick would be a great return.

3.) Vladar would definitely get a third round pick given his $2,200,000 salary for two more seasons. The UFA goalie market has some solid names, but none of the good ones will be getting less than three million.

https://www.spotrac.com/n...ee-agents/goaltender/ufa/

Here is a link to those options. There’s four or five goalies in there that you could realistically see a GM settling on as a #1 or #1a. Jarry, Andersen, Talbot, Varlamov, and Hill if a team were to gamble on his knee holding up.

The contract and stats prior to a late season spiral this year imply Vladar could handle more starts. That could be worth a lot to a contender.

4.) Expecting a big year from Mangiapane. Had a busted shoulder this season that he finally got surgery on.
5.) Just a personal choice there. Coronato is waiver eligible and might do well to play a ton of offensive starts and powerplay with the Wranglers. Would be excited to see him make the team too — just would like to see if there is a star in Matthew Phillips first. He’s a hell of a talent.
- Trevor_Neufeld_

I have high hopes for MP as well but after watching the Wranglers in the playoffs, my hope is quickly fading. Would be nice to be wrong but he was pretty much irrelevant when it counted most. Maybe it’s an injury, who knows but Duehr looked better with the Flames than he did with the Wranglers so many the same will hold true for Phillips.
Coronato played well for the USA at the world championships, I’d be suprised if he’s not on the opening day roster. Waiver eligibility might force him down but I don’t think it will be talent that does that.
Mangiapani should have a better year, especially if we trade away a couple pending UFAs .

I am willing to bet that new management does nothing of what is proposed in the blog and posts.

Anyway, either way it’s going to be fun to see what unfolds.

Conny said in his press conference we are going to insert some young players into our lineup next year so we better have someone in our lineup to provide some security for those kids.
- DEDDIE

Yeah they will need someone to keep those goons up in Edmonton in check.

I will never forget that horrible check McDavid did on Gio. Luckily Gio was not hurt. McDavid got served a piece of Karma pie and was injured. Then the mainstream media changed it around and made it look like it was Gio’s fault.

I am willing to bet that new management does nothing of what is proposed in the blog and posts.

Anyway, either way it’s going to be fun to see what unfolds.
- Quinn's Quest

IDK. Rhett Warrener was saying the wheels fell off the bus with Monahan getting Perma-injured and Bennett not living up to his hype.

If those two guys were still here chances are Calgary becomes a place Tkachuk wants to stay.

You can’t blame Lindholm and Backland for wanting to chase a cup. With the cap not going up much in the next couple years the Flames could pull off some good trades with teams that are cash strapped.

Carpe (frank)ing Diem.

It’s too bad we drafted Strongman and not Stankhoven.

If you could get one of those desperate teams, Leafs, Pittsburg etc to work out a deal for Markstrom would you run with Vladar/Wolfe next year?

If you could get one of those desperate teams, Leafs, Pittsburg etc to work out a deal for Markstrom would you run with Vladar/Wolfe next year?
- 1970vintage

If they can make the room. He’s got an NMC and a newborn. Tough sell.

The way things look is the flames are just moving on from lindhom, and if he doesnt want to sniff at resigning thats too bad. I think all the work BT did was sour with players taking hard nosed work to sign them IE matty and johnny. Then others seeing the trade and immediately big money while they got screwed thats too bad.

Do your best to sign tyler to anything at all thats not out of control, ditch tanev and lindhom at draft for picks and hope to bring up some kids. This year may not work out well but give the kids a chance and plan for the year after this one I think.

If they can make the room. He’s got an NMC and a newborn. Tough sell.
- Trevor_Neufeld_

Yeah, I guess.

Also, think you meant Victoria Royals. Watched Phillips live on many occasions, such a smart player.

Yeah, I guess.

Also, think you meant Victoria Royals. Watched Phillips live on many occasions, such a smart player.
- 1970vintage

I actually meant the Calgary Buffalos. The guys I played with always had Calgary Royals gear on, but a good amount of them played with Phillips on the Buffalos. Good eye!

If you could get one of those desperate teams, Leafs, Pittsburg etc to work out a deal for Markstrom would you run with Vladar/Wolfe next year?
- 1970vintage

That would be best case scenario !!!

What do we think of the Gerard Gallant for coach rumours?

I still think Mitch Love is the better call but GG is interesting. Would the owner want to pay for Gallant is the issue, seeing as we're already providing Sutter's next big farmland purchase.

Does anyone think that Markstrom's NMC would be an issue if the Flames tried to move up in this year's draft? Swap picks with a team who wants a goalie, take back a bit of salary to help smooth things over, draft David Reinbacher, then go with Vladar and Wolfe in net all year.

What do we think of the Gerard Gallant for coach rumours?

I still think Mitch Love is the better call but GG is interesting. Would the owner want to pay for Gallant is the issue, seeing as we're already providing Sutter's next big farmland purchase.

Does anyone think that Markstrom's NMC would be an issue if the Flames tried to move up in this year's draft? Swap picks with a team who wants a goalie, take back a bit of salary to help smooth things over, draft David Reinbacher, then go with Vladar and Wolfe in net all year.
- MABster

i'll trust the process as far a selecting a coach and if its GG im good with that. My guess is the core players will have a lot of input on this hire.

Vladdy and Wolf would be a huge gamble unless Conny chooses to move some guys out and retool.
Im not a big fan of retaining salary period and I dont think Marky's salary is that big of a problem.