Todd Cordell: Calgary Flames' top-4 is better without Travis Hamonic

Yeah no

No Hamonic means a worse D core

Let’s not try and sell losing a good D as a good thing

Yeah no

No Hamonic means a worse D core

Let’s not try and sell losing a good D as a good thing
- Santo_44

No Harmonic in the top 4 makes them better. No Harmonic at all is debatable. It's only really an issue if they have multiple injuries. He hasn't been a good d in a while.

No Harmonic in the top 4 makes them better. No Harmonic at all is debatable. It's only really an issue if they have multiple injuries. He hasn't been a good d in a while.
- Hunkulese

Trade him to Toronto then. Gardiner.......Barrie.....Leafs luv guys on defence who can't play defence....

I think he probably would have been on the 3rd pairing had he decided to play as Brodie and Anderson has significantly better years. In the best case scenario it would have been nice to see him bounce back to top 4 form of the past few years, but the more likely scenario is that of the hamonic we saw this year. At which point I think the difference between him, Gustafson, and forbort was marginal which leaves me to believe we’ll be fine without him

I think he probably would have been on the 3rd pairing had he decided to play as Brodie and Anderson has significantly better years. In the best case scenario it would have been nice to see him bounce back to top 4 form of the past few years, but the more likely scenario is that of the hamonic we saw this year. At which point I think the difference between him, Gustafson, and forbort was marginal which leaves me to believe we’ll be fine without him
- RedC21

I think it was pretty obvious Flames werent going to resign him, especially with some of the signings the last few months & the two TDL acquisitions. So if he walks, the top 4 experience during playoffs will be huge for Andersson & could be a big building block for Hanifin & Andersson as a pairing going forward.

I think it was pretty obvious Flames werent going to resign him, especially with some of the signings the last few months & the two TDL acquisitions. So if he walks, the top 4 experience during playoffs will be huge for Andersson & could be a big building block for Hanifin & Andersson as a pairing going forward.
- Kevin R

True, over the past few months it’s become more and more evident they’re going to keep Brodie over him and hamonic also missed 20 games or so this year. To be honest between the trade deadline pickups, his injuries and the assumption that we are going to let him walk I began to forget that we even had him

True, over the past few months it’s become more and more evident they’re going to keep Brodie over him and hamonic also missed 20 games or so this year. To be honest between the trade deadline pickups, his injuries and the assumption that we are going to let him walk I began to forget that we even had him
- RedC21

I wouldnt be so sure we resign Brodie either, all depends what that price tag comes in. All eyes will be on Gus & Forbert this playoff & I think either one will be significantly cheaper than Brodie. Cap is going to be critical especially if Tre has his focus on trying to land Hall. We are going to have to cheapen our backend with younger talents & quite frankly, I see that as totally doable.

The Calgary Flames suck balls, you could have Larry Robinson, Bobby Orr, Denis Potvin and Al MacInnis and you'd still lose to the Jets....you know, because you suck so bad

I wouldnt be so sure we resign Brodie either, all depends what that price tag comes in. All eyes will be on Gus & Forbert this playoff & I think either one will be significantly cheaper than Brodie. Cap is going to be critical especially if Tre has his focus on trying to land Hall. We are going to have to cheapen our backend with younger talents & quite frankly, I see that as totally doable.
- Kevin R

It will really depend on what Brodie’s ask is. He could maybe get 6 on the open market but I think he would be willing to take 5 as a hometown discount. He’s also coming off his worst season statistically, is on the wrong side of 30 and recent history shows the value of his type isn’t as high on the open market as once thought. (Gardiner, muzzin). 5 is a pretty marginal increase from his 4.65 and probably worth it considering Gus and Forbort aren’t Top 4 D.

As well I’m not entirely on board with bringing Taylor Hall in. If we do have the dollars I’d rather see us bring in robin lehner who’s contract is likely to be way cheaper. Inconsistent goaltending has been a bigger issue than scoring and I think mangiapane and to a lesser extent dube are just scratching the surface offensively to pick up the slack there

It will really depend on what Brodie’s ask is. He could maybe get 6 on the open market but I think he would be willing to take 5 as a hometown discount. He’s also coming off his worst season statistically, is on the wrong side of 30 and recent history shows the value of his type isn’t as high on the open market as once thought. (Gardiner, muzzin). 5 is a pretty marginal increase from his 4.65 and probably worth it considering Gus and Forbort aren’t Top 4 D.

As well I’m not entirely on board with bringing Taylor Hall in. If we do have the dollars I’d rather see us bring in robin lehner who’s contract is likely to be way cheaper. Inconsistent goaltending has been a bigger issue than scoring and I think mangiapane and to a lesser extent dube are just scratching the surface offensively to pick up the slack there
- RedC21

See that's where I dont totally agree. Brodie at 5.0 mill is too much $$$ as he is going to want term as well. Andersson is going to get 4.6 mill, Hanifin is 4.85 mill & Gio at 6.75 mill. We need to fill the other 3 spots with a lot cheaper $$$.

As for Hall, I would say pass if we had to give up serious assets for him. To get a top winger like Hall in free agency & the $$$ acceptable for a top 6 forward, I would be all for this. Hall is still a very good player, way better than Magpie. Slotting him in with Monahan/Lindholm/Tkachuk & Gaudreau really puts a lethality to the top 2 lines.

See that's where I dont totally agree. Brodie at 5.0 mill is too much $$$ as he is going to want term as well. Andersson is going to get 4.6 mill, Hanifin is 4.85 mill & Gio at 6.75 mill. We need to fill the other 3 spots with a lot cheaper $$$.

As for Hall, I would say pass if we had to give up serious assets for him. To get a top winger like Hall in free agency & the $$$ acceptable for a top 6 forward, I would be all for this. Hall is still a very good player, way better than Magpie. Slotting him in with Monahan/Lindholm/Tkachuk & Gaudreau really puts a lethality to the top 2 lines.
- Kevin R

Fair enough and I agree he’d be a massive upgrade at forward, I just feel that our forwards are good enough as is and we should be focusing more on upgrading in net.

I think the thing that also scares me about hall is that he’s likely going to want somewhere in the 9’s because he had one MVP season. While a very good top line player I would be hesitant about paying him over 8 on a long term deal because I also have concerns that due to his injury history that he’ll decline earlier than expected.

While this may be a really bold take, I would be open to the possibility of trading one or both of monahan/gaudreau to make cap space to bring in Hall and Lehner if we we’re looking for a big shake up

agree, hamonic is a plug

Fair enough and I agree he’d be a massive upgrade at forward, I just feel that our forwards are good enough as is and we should be focusing more on upgrading in net.

I think the thing that also scares me about hall is that he’s likely going to want somewhere in the 9’s because he had one MVP season. While a very good top line player I would be hesitant about paying him over 8 on a long term deal because I also have concerns that due to his injury history that he’ll decline earlier than expected.

While this may be a really bold take, I would be open to the possibility of trading one or both of monahan/gaudreau to make cap space to bring in Hall and Lehner if we we’re looking for a big shake up
- RedC21

What kind of return would you be looking for in exchange for Monahan?

What kind of return would you be looking for in exchange for Monahan?
- kingcong39

It really depends on the team trading for him. Off the top of my head I think buffalo is the perfect fit at which price I would start with their 8th overall pick and build a deal from there that’s fair for both teams. Something similar to the Jeff carter deal to Columbus back in 2011

It really depends on the team trading for him. Off the top of my head I think buffalo is the perfect fit at which price I would start with their 8th overall pick and build a deal from there that’s fair for both teams. Something similar to the Jeff carter deal to Columbus back in 2011
- RedC21

They're not making a Jeff Carter deal for Monahan.

They also know his issues like you do.

They're not making a Jeff Carter deal for Monahan.

They also know his issues like you do.
- kingcong39

Haha fair enough, this is just me armchair gm’ing. Ideally I would like a high pick or a top prospect coming back. Any time you deal a player from your core it’s important to get quality over quantity. As far as the carter comparable goes I know Calgary wouldn’t get as much. It was more the idea of trading a piece from your current core and select a new player to move forward with (couturier). If it wasn’t for Schneider being a goalie the 1 for 1 deal that gave the Canucks the Bo Horvat pick would have been a better example. As well too monahan’s value differs between many, so it’s hard to say what other teams would be willing to give up

Haha fair enough, this is just me armchair gm’ing. Ideally I would like a high pick or a top prospect coming back. Any time you deal a player from your core it’s important to get quality over quantity. As far as the carter comparable goes I know Calgary wouldn’t get as much. It was more the idea of trading a piece from your current core and select a new player to move forward with (couturier). If it wasn’t for Schneider being a goalie the 1 for 1 deal that gave the Canucks the Bo Horvat pick would have been a better example. As well too monahan’s value differs between many, so it’s hard to say what other teams would be willing to give up
- RedC21

Sabre fans are all hell bent on acquiring their #2C via UFA rather than trading at fair market value. I get it their gun shy after the o'reilly trade but in UFA you're usually buying past their prime players and pretty much always overpay as they did with Okposo and Skinner

Sabre fans are all hell bent on acquiring their #2C via UFA rather than trading at fair market value. I get it their gun shy after the o'reilly trade but in UFA you're usually buying past their prime players and pretty much always overpay as they did with Okposo and Skinner
- DEDDIE

Sabres fans are in quite a predicament. Their management has traded many futures to try to fast track their rebuild and then as you said overpaid players in UFA. It doesn’t help that there aren’t many quality C’s available in FA this year, maybe Mikael granlund but even then is he enough to get them over the hump?

I think monahan’s at a young enough age that it could be worthwhile for them but they may also be looking for a stop gap option until dylan cozens is ready to take on the role. Or if I was buffalo and thought their 8th overall selection this year has higher potential then cozens it could be worthwhile for them to deal him. That would probably be the most unpopular choice for their fans but it’s those kinds of gambles GM’s need to make. The smart decision for them would be to stay the course, not make any moves and let the team develop. Their fans have rightfully grown impatient, eichel is wasting his prime and it hasn’t worked out so far but draft/develop is the best path to success.

On a side note they also received atrocious goaltending from Hutton. If he put up ullmark’s numbers the sabres may have been competing for a wild card spot

Sabres fans are in quite a predicament. Their management has traded many futures to try to fast track their rebuild and then as you said overpaid players in UFA. It doesn’t help that there aren’t many quality C’s available in FA this year, maybe Mikael granlund but even then is he enough to get them over the hump?

I think monahan’s at a young enough age that it could be worthwhile for them but they may also be looking for a stop gap option until dylan cozens is ready to take on the role. Or if I was buffalo and thought their 8th overall selection this year has higher potential then cozens it could be worthwhile for them to deal him. That would probably be the most unpopular choice for their fans but it’s those kinds of gambles GM’s need to make. The smart decision for them would be to stay the course, not make any moves and let the team develop. Their fans have rightfully grown impatient, eichel is wasting his prime and it hasn’t worked out so far but draft/develop is the best path to success.

On a side note they also received atrocious goaltending from Hutton. If he put up ullmark’s numbers the sabres may have been competing for a wild card spot
- RedC21

They could also believe the 8th overall has higher potential and still keep Cozens along with the pick.

That's the intelligent way to go, especially with the cap the next 3 years and the expansion draft looming.

I was generally curious how much Monahan is valued by Flames fans.

They could also believe the 8th overall has higher potential and still keep Cozens along with the pick.

That's the intelligent way to go, especially with the cap the next 3 years and the expansion draft looming.

I was generally curious how much Monahan is valued by Flames fans.
- kingcong39

Probably the best move is to stand pat but with the fan frustration in Buff i expect them to be a player in UFA or trade.
From a Flames fan perspective Monahan was the 6th overall pick in 2013 and he has delivered for the team in spades averaging 30 goals per 82/games.
You wont find Monahan at 3 x 6.375 on the UFA market so why would we give him away. That said if the return was the 8th pick and maybe a 2021 2nd I would support trading him.

They could also believe the 8th overall has higher potential and still keep Cozens along with the pick.

That's the intelligent way to go, especially with the cap the next 3 years and the expansion draft looming.

I was generally curious how much Monahan is valued by Flames fans.
- kingcong39

I agree it would be wisest for Buffalo to stay the course by not making any big moves, after all after cleaning out their entire front office the fresh faces may have better luck with the draft and develop method than past regimes. The sabres priority this off-season should be to find a competent goalie to platoon with ullmark and go from there. Making moves out of impatience backfires most of the time and from a flames perspective that’s what I’m banking on in this hypothetical scenario.

As far as the salary cap goes buffalo has 35 million in cap space going into this off-season so that’s not really an issue for them as well based on their current roster they don’t really have anyone that they may potentially lose in expansion that will be a big loss.

As far as monahan’s trade value goes that really differs depending on who you ask. On one hand he’s a 30 goal scorer that’s a proven 1 C on a pretty good contract for that position. On the other hand he’s very in inconsistent and plays more like a passenger to gaudreau than a contributor to that pairing. In my opinion he’s a player that’s good enough to be a 1 C but you’re probably not going to win a cup with him in that role or at least not without a guy that’s just as good or slightly better holding down the 2 C role (For example I would quit this nonsense if they were to run him and lindholm down the middle on a permanent basis). In that sense the most recent and likeliest comparable would probably be Matt duchene as long as you remember that pick at the time wasn’t projected to be 4th overall.

My own theory with monahan is that at sometime around 3 years ago he stopped developing and became complacent with being Johnny’s wingman. Unless he was put in a similar situation somewhere else it’s not likely he would thrive as much as he does in Calgary.

They could also believe the 8th overall has higher potential and still keep Cozens along with the pick.

That's the intelligent way to go, especially with the cap the next 3 years and the expansion draft looming.

I was generally curious how much Monahan is valued by Flames fans.
- kingcong39

Monahan is a bonafide goal scorer, GM's value goals. We let 2 go in Brett Hull & Martin St Louis & both went on to win cups. The price is probably more than what you would want to pay. If you guys are looking for a #2 centre & not wanting to pay too much price, I would be more inclined to trade Backlund.

Monahan is a bonafide goal scorer, GM's value goals. We let 2 go in Brett Hull & Martin St Louis & both went on to win cups. The price is probably more than what you would want to pay. If you guys are looking for a #2 centre & not wanting to pay too much price, I would be more inclined to trade Backlund.
- Kevin R

Backlund seems like the more likely target for the Sabres.

I'm not sure why Lindholm isn't the number 2 Center, as another poster noted.

This is ridiculous. Of course it's not better.