Todd Cordell: Grading the Calgary Flames' off-season moves

Calgary buys out Troy Brouwer

Brouwer produced points at a lesser rate than the likes of Dominic Moore, Joel Ward, Ryan Reaves and Lukas Sedlak during his two-year tenure with the Flames.

He was also a massive possession anchor and negatively impacted Calgary's numbers across the board every time he touched the ice.

I wasn't a fan of the signing when it happened and yet it somehow turned out far worse than I could have imagined.
- ToddCordellCGY

Harsh, but true.

Can't see Derek Ryan at that kind of contract as such a good move.

Czarnik and Neal I really like. Solid deals.

Jury is out on the trade. Don't see CGY winning that deal right now, but there is some potential with Hanafin that could really make this a homerun.

Take what you want from it but apparently Dougie unfollowed everyone on the flames team outside of Chucky, Stajan, and Ferland. Something happened in that locker room

Great article todd! If anyone wants to check out some articles on a new prospects website check out nhlprospectreport.ca
My buddy runs it and I've wrote a couple articles.

Trade rumor:

To Calgary - Erik Karlsson with signed extension.

To Ottawa - Sam Bennett, T.J. Brodie, Michael Stone, 2x 1st round picks.

Moving SB, TJB, MS gives you an additional 10.1 million in cap space on top of what ever it is now (7 or 8?)

Thoughts?

Trade rumor:

To Calgary - Erik Karlsson with signed extension.

To Ottawa - Sam Bennett, T.J. Brodie, Michael Stone, 2x 1st round picks.

Moving SB, TJB, MS gives you an additional 10.1 million in cap space on top of what ever it is now (7 or 8?)

Thoughts?
- zipfel

1. Source? Or is this your own trade idea?

2. Not 2 firsts - if it comes to that then the flames should walk

Trade rumor:

To Calgary - Erik Karlsson with signed extension.

To Ottawa - Sam Bennett, T.J. Brodie, Michael Stone, 2x 1st round picks.

Moving SB, TJB, MS gives you an additional 10.1 million in cap space on top of what ever it is now (7 or 8?)

Thoughts?
- zipfel

Where did you hear this from or just an idea of yours? I think 2 first round picks is pretty steep. It was bad enough not having one this past draft I thought.

"Great article todd! If anyone wants to check out some articles on a new prospects website check out nhlprospectreport.ca
My buddy runs it and I've wrote a couple articles."

No offense, but if you're going to write articles, and want to promote them, it would help if you wrote correctly - "I've wrote a couple articles"

Trade rumor:

To Calgary - Erik Karlsson with signed extension.

To Ottawa - Sam Bennett, T.J. Brodie, Michael Stone, 2x 1st round picks.

Moving SB, TJB, MS gives you an additional 10.1 million in cap space on top of what ever it is now (7 or 8?)

Thoughts?
- zipfel

I like it, because we couldn't resign Karlsson without them taking Stone. Both picks should be lottery protected, or add in Kylington, and take away a 1st pick out of there. Make it a 2nd upgraded to a 1st if Karlsson resigns.

To Calgary: E. Karlsson
To Ottawa: Brodie, Stone, Bennett, Kylington, a 2nd (upgraded to a 1st if Karlsson resigns).

"Great article todd! If anyone wants to check out some articles on a new prospects website check out nhlprospectreport.ca
My buddy runs it and I've wrote a couple articles."

No offense, but if you're going to write articles, and want to promote them, it would help if you wrote correctly - "I've wrote a couple articles"
- quinneroma

This is just to satisfy you bud.

Great article Todd! If anyone would like to read some articles on prospects then proceed to nhlprospectreport.ca. I believe we have covered 12 prospects so far. One article is on Dillon Dube and another is on Noah Hanifin (I know he's not a prospect anymore).

You will not regret the Hanifin pick up at all .His upside is a lot higher the Hamilton whom I find a little overrated

Trade rumor:

To Calgary - Erik Karlsson with signed extension.

To Ottawa - Sam Bennett, T.J. Brodie, Michael Stone, 2x 1st round picks.

Moving SB, TJB, MS gives you an additional 10.1 million in cap space on top of what ever it is now (7 or 8?)

Thoughts?
- zipfel

All over it

Where did you hear this from or just an idea of yours? I think 2 first round picks is pretty steep. It was bad enough not having one this past draft I thought.
- novak14

It's not my idea and lets see what happens when EK does get traded. I dont mind the players leaving but the 2 first round picks would suck. Maybe that is Ottawa's ask?

Trade rumor:

To Calgary - Erik Karlsson with signed extension.

To Ottawa - Sam Bennett, T.J. Brodie, Michael Stone, 2x 1st round picks.

Moving SB, TJB, MS gives you an additional 10.1 million in cap space on top of what ever it is now (7 or 8?)

Thoughts?
- zipfel

Take away one of the 1sts and I'm in, if he either comes with a signed extension or we have a guarantee he'll sign one with us. Without an extension I don't want to trade for Karlsson period. Two 1sts is a bit too much so if that can be changed to either a 2nd or maybe someone like Kylington or just taken off altogether then that would be ideal.

You will not regret the Hanifin pick up at all .His upside is a lot higher the Hamilton whom I find a little overrated
- Allforhim12

lol nope.

It's about exactly where Hamilton is right now.

Hanifin is a hell of a skater and has really good potential (on top of being a legit #3-4 D man right now) but let's not act like he's some untapped well. He's had 240 games already to show what he can be.

Conventional wisdom says that D men require about 400 games to reach their potential. That gives him another 2 years to get there. He certainly could take a massive leap forward, but with the same coach? I don't see it.

lol nope.

It's about exactly where Hamilton is right now.

Hanifin is a hell of a skater and has really good potential (on top of being a legit #3-4 D man right now) but let's not act like he's some untapped well. He's had 240 games already to show what he can be.

Conventional wisdom says that D men require about 400 games to reach their potential. That gives him another 2 years to get there. He certainly could take a massive leap forward, but with the same coach? I don't see it.
- PepinoPamplemousse

He has the exact same amount of points through 3 seasons of his career as Hamilton did through his first 3 seasons... There isn't a reason to assume he won't get better. Guy's only 21 years old.

Trade rumor:

To Calgary - Erik Karlsson with signed extension.

To Ottawa - Sam Bennett, T.J. Brodie, Michael Stone, 2x 1st round picks.

Moving SB, TJB, MS gives you an additional 10.1 million in cap space on top of what ever it is now (7 or 8?)

Thoughts?
- zipfel

Don't love moving the 2 firsts either. In my view, Ottawa is going to be in a tough spot with this one. It seems apparent EK is not going to re-sign there, they are on the verge of losing Stone and have massive organizational issues and a not-so-smart GM based on recent moves (Duchene trade, not surrendering his 1st this year, handling of Hoffman/Karlsson issues, the Hoffman trade etc etc)

That said, I think most teams are going to be content to see where they sit come January and make the move then, when prices are theoretically driven either down by the short term rental (with a kicker if re-signed maybe).

My two cents, I think Karlsson breaks camp with the Sens and is dealt before the deadline. I think it's also for much less than the above (3 average or NHL roster players + 2 1st is just too much)

Take away one of the 1sts and I'm in, if he either comes with a signed extension or we have a guarantee he'll sign one with us. Without an extension I don't want to trade for Karlsson period. Two 1sts is a bit too much so if that can be changed to either a 2nd or maybe someone like Kylington or just taken off altogether then that would be ideal.
- Helios

If you're trading disappointing spare parts you're sending two first rounders in the deal or Ottawa walks away.

If you're trading disappointing spare parts you're sending two first rounders in the deal or Ottawa walks away.
- Reveen.

Then let them walk, these are not all "spare parts" players. Bennett has not had a decent set of linemates in his career, Brodie has shown the ability to play well when he's on the right side of the pairing (he and Gio were a top pairing in the NHL in their time together), and Stone is a more than serviceable 4/5 guy. He's probably the "spare part" in the deal, but is one that Ottawa could conceivably leverage in trying to re-sign his brother (though this is tenuous IMO)

If you're trading disappointing spare parts you're sending two first rounders in the deal or Ottawa walks away.
- Reveen.

Then let them. Bennett is by all accounts still a hot commodity, Brodie is still very much capable of putting together a fantastic season if given a chance on the right side, and Stone is a completely fine bottom pairing guy who can play top 4 if you need him to.

If Ottawa wants to walk away from that then let them. They are the ones under pressure to trade Karlsson. Literally every other team in the League can sit back and try their luck on July 1st next year.

If we’re giving up 2 1sts in this deal then I’m getting Brady also. We might have to sweeten a bit. 3 years with no 1st rounder could really hurt. But Karlsson would look good with a flaming c on his chest.

He has the exact same amount of points through 3 seasons of his career as Hamilton did through his first 3 seasons... There isn't a reason to assume he won't get better. Guy's only 21 years old.
- Helios

Oh for sure. He has the ability to reach the level of Hamilton, no question. I highly doubt he'll be better than Hamilton, though.

Oh for sure. He has the ability to reach the level of Hamilton, no question. I highly doubt he'll be better than Hamilton, though.
- PepinoPamplemousse

Based on what? Your highly regarded opinion? Come on man give us that!

Based on what? Your highly regarded opinion? Come on man give us that!
- K-man25

Yes.