Trevor Neufeld: How Worried Are You About Calgary

Thanks Trevor that was a beauty set play last night.... hopefully we can start seeing our PP execute like that soon.

You ask: Where do you stand on the issue? How worried are you about Calgary’s 5-8-2 start?
Im not worried at all about the 5-8-2 start as it puts us right where need to be in the top 8 of the 2024 draft lottery.

Things can go either way....
I think the Zadorov trade request was dissappointing....I thought we were trending in the right direction and turning the season around with the injection of youth.

I'm not opposed to trading him, think he would have gotten a nice haul at the deadline, but for it to be leaked publically like that doesn't ever seem to help either party. Its dissappointing because it implies that the locker room might still be miserable even though the youth injection is seeing improved results on the ice.

Things can go either way....
I think the Zadorov trade request was dissappointing....I thought we were trending in the right direction and turning the season around with the injection of youth.

I'm not opposed to trading him, think he would have gotten a nice haul at the deadline, but for it to be leaked publically like that doesn't ever seem to help either party. Its dissappointing because it implies that the locker room might still be miserable even though the youth injection is seeing improved results on the ice.
- cpltanto

Hopefully he put away his grievances with more minutes. Played 20:30 last night and was on the ice killing the penalty to finish the game.

Thanks Trevor that was a beauty set play last night.... hopefully we can start seeing our PP execute like that soon.

You ask: Where do you stand on the issue? How worried are you about Calgary’s 5-8-2 start?
Im not worried at all about the 5-8-2 start as it puts us right where need to be in the top 8 of the 2024 draft lottery.
- DEDDIE

Thanks for the blog Trevor, I’m not worried about the start with a new coach and new system. Either way they are trending in the right direction.

Only hope in Calgary seems to be players hoping for trades.

Only hope in Calgary seems to be players hoping for trades.
- OilyJay

Likewise for the Oilers soon

Likewise for the Oilers soon
- FlamesFan1230

How does the old saying go? Something something throw rocks something something glass house.

Let them pu s s I e s walk I love the youth movement!! Bunch of cry baby vets don’t wanna put in the work so bye bye b I t c h e s!

There are plenty of reasons to maintain hope for the season. It was a rough start to the seasons, but there were a plethora of changes on and off the ice that should earn them an adjustment period. They've played a lot better recently and have been enjoyable to watch. They're also only 5 points out of 8th and 7 out of 4th with only 4 teams in front of them that seem like their success is sustainable. The Flames just need to make sure that they don't have another extended losing streak and they'll be fine. Vegas had a stretch last year where they lost 8 of 10, but it didn't look so bad since it was January.

Huberdeau's still broken, but he's still putting in the effort, so there's a glimmer of hope that he can turn it around. If they can figure out how to fix him, things change dramatically for the team. If Huberdeau can become an offensive threat again, the Kadri/Zary duo is a long-term fit, and Markstrom is good Markstrom, the Flames are a team that can go on a run in the playoffs. Their roster is still a strong one if players are playing to their potential. There's also the possibility of getting Coronato and Pelletier back on the team, which could be another boost.

We should have a much better understanding of what the team is capable of by the end of the month. They have a tough stretch of games coming up. If they can win more than they lose and look competitive against teams like Dallas, Colorado, and Vegas, there will be plenty of reasons for optimism.

There are plenty of reasons to maintain hope for the season. It was a rough start to the seasons, but there were a plethora of changes on and off the ice that should earn them an adjustment period. They've played a lot better recently and have been enjoyable to watch. They're also only 5 points out of 8th and 7 out of 4th with only 4 teams in front of them that seem like their success is sustainable. The Flames just need to make sure that they don't have another extended losing streak and they'll be fine. Vegas had a stretch last year where they lost 8 of 10, but it didn't look so bad since it was January.

Huberdeau's still broken, but he's still putting in the effort, so there's a glimmer of hope that he can turn it around. If they can figure out how to fix him, things change dramatically for the team. If Huberdeau can become an offensive threat again, the Kadri/Zary duo is a long-term fit, and Markstrom is good Markstrom, the Flames are a team that can go on a run in the playoffs. Their roster is still a strong one if players are playing to their potential. There's also the possibility of getting Coronato and Pelletier back on the team, which could be another boost.

We should have a much better understanding of what the team is capable of by the end of the month. They have a tough stretch of games coming up. If they can win more than they lose and look competitive against teams like Dallas, Colorado, and Vegas, there will be plenty of reasons for optimism.
- Squeaky

We have different ideas of optimism. I heard today they were offering Hanifin a $60M contract......for Hanafin. And Hanafin walked awa from that.

Thanks Trevor.
So if they maintain their present pace, they’ll finish with.90 points. Awesome, good enough to screw up our draft position but yet not good enough to make the playoffs. Sounds like last year all over.
I’d like to see them trade anyone that has asked to leave,. Pick up some prospects, draft picks, inject more youth, build for the new arena. No more retirement contracts.

Thanks Trevor.
So if they maintain their present pace, they’ll finish with.90 points. Awesome, good enough to screw up our draft position but yet not good enough to make the playoffs. Sounds like last year all over.
I’d like to see them trade anyone that has asked to leave,. Pick up some prospects, draft picks, inject more youth, build for the new arena. No more retirement contracts.
- K-man25

100% agree
I would rather watch a youth movement than the yoyo mediocrity we have seen for too long.

We have different ideas of optimism. I heard today they were offering Hanifin a $60M contract......for Hanafin. And Hanafin walked awa from that.

- DuranDuran

I'm not a big Hanafin fan and 60 million sounds gross, but it's really not that bad. 7.5 isn't awful for a guy who can give you a decent 22-24 minutes a night. He'd also only be 27 when it kicks in, so he'll likely be a top 4 guy for the entire 8 years. They also have no top pairing defencemen prospects and they're going to need someone to eat the minutes, especially if they're blowing it all up for a rebuild. I also don't think the return for Hanafin is going to be all that impressive.

Resigning Hanafin works if they're rebuilding or trying to win every year. There's a very small chance that a late first-round pick is going to do more for the Flames in the next 8 years than Hanafin. Backlund and Hanifin were the two UFAs that made sense to lock up in either situation.

Top Shelf Hockey reporting a rumour of a Huberdeau to Montreal trade. Anderson and Gallagher coming back.
How’s everyone feel about that?
Money works and we get a shorter term.

I'm not a big Hanafin fan and 60 million sounds gross, but it's really not that bad. 7.5 isn't awful for a guy who can give you a decent 22-24 minutes a night. He'd also only be 27 when it kicks in, so he'll likely be a top 4 guy for the entire 8 years. They also have no top pairing defencemen prospects and they're going to need someone to eat the minutes, especially if they're blowing it all up for a rebuild. I also don't think the return for Hanafin is going to be all that impressive.

Resigning Hanafin works if they're rebuilding or trying to win every year. There's a very small chance that a late first-round pick is going to do more for the Flames in the next 8 years than Hanafin. Backlund and Hanifin were the two UFAs that made sense to lock up in either situation.
- Squeaky

I am all for overpaying guys that are elite. But we don't seem to have any of those guys on the roster. Overpaying these guys that are just good has to stop.

IMO Treiliving panicked when he signed both Huberdeau and Kadri. These panic moves really screwed the franchise. I dont want Conny to do the same with all these guys that are on the last year of thier contracts.

If the players do not want to be here get them the fiuck out of here.

Top Shelf Hockey reporting a rumour of a Huberdeau to Montreal trade. Anderson and Gallagher coming back.
How’s everyone feel about that?
Money works and we get a shorter term.
- K-man25

Gallagher and Anderson make a combined 12 mil compared to Hubies 10.5 so the money really doesnt work but I would find a way if I was Conny.
Weve seen Huberdeau for over a year and I just dont think he's that good and I dont see see him ever returning to his past form.
Gallagher looks to be done so his contract is a problem (3 x 6.5 after this year) but Anderson can still play todays game and would slot in well on our right side.
I have an eye on a new team when the new arena opens so Im on board wth shorter term.

Good read on our trade pieces:
https://www.sportsnet.ca/...-and-the-value-they-have/

Top Shelf Hockey reporting a rumour of a Huberdeau to Montreal trade. Anderson and Gallagher coming back.
How’s everyone feel about that?
Money works and we get a shorter term.
- K-man25

If that’s on the table I will drive huberdeau to the airport right now !! Yes please make it happpen

Top Shelf Hockey reporting a rumour of a Huberdeau to Montreal trade. Anderson and Gallagher coming back.
How’s everyone feel about that?
Money works and we get a shorter term.
- K-man25

I would be all over this; I think Gallagher is a Western Canadian boy, and Anderson would add some grit in the top 6 to help protect the youth.

Top Shelf Hockey reporting a rumour of a Huberdeau to Montreal trade. Anderson and Gallagher coming back.
How’s everyone feel about that?
Money works and we get a shorter term.
- K-man25

I think Huberdeau WANTED to go to Montreal all along. Maybe a third team for salary?

Interesting read regarding buyout of Huberdeau....

https://thewincolumn.ca/2...e-for-the-calgary-flames/

I am all for overpaying guys that are elite. But we don't seem to have any of those guys on the roster. Overpaying these guys that are just good has to stop.

IMO Treiliving panicked when he signed both Huberdeau and Kadri. These panic moves really screwed the franchise. I dont want Conny to do the same with all these guys that are on the last year of thier contracts.

If the players do not want to be here get them the fiuck out of here.
- DuranDuran

Paying Hanafin 7.5 a year isn't really an overpay. When you compare it to similar players like Toews, Severson, Sanheim, Weegar, and Lindholm, it's at the high-end of a reasonable salary when you factor in salaries go up every year and the cap is rising. Hanifin is also younger than most of those guys when they signed their contracts. It's not like they were offering him Nurse money. Evolving hockey threw him into their algorithm and it spit out 7.446 over 8 years.

People have been making the comparison to Toews, but Hanifin is almost a full three years younger and would probably be putting up 50-point seasons if he was on the Avs. He almost got there when the Flames had an actual top line where all he had to do was get the puck to them.

How long do you want the Flames rebuild to be? If you want to be competitive again in 3, 4, 5 years, you're going to want a player like Hanifin and you won't find one cheaper than 7.5. The fact that the contract only goes until he's 35/36 makes it pretty easy to trade him as well unless his game falls off a cliff.

Good read on our trade pieces:
https://www.sportsnet.ca/...-and-the-value-they-have/
- DEDDIE

First and prospect for Lindholm
First and prospect + for Hanifin
2nd for Tanev
1st or 2nd for Zadorov
Do it Conroy!