JTech780

I am not super high on Holtz so if he is the return and we have to retain cap, then I am passing.

Oh I agree. If they are looking to make a deal, then Conroy will need to look at less established players and/or prospects from the Devils. My point is more that with Markstrom they don’t have to trade him today, and as such they can set their price high and make teams come up to that price. Tanev and Hanifin there is a time limit on making a trade, so they have to be somewhat flexible in setting a minimum price for them and make a move when you are comfortable with that you aren’t going to get a better return than that minimum level.

That might be the sticking point as I doubt Mercer is available, especially after they lost McLeod for the rest of his career most likely. I doubt the Devils are moving anyone from their top 9 at this point. As you said the Flames can set their price and if nobody matches it, they just keep him.

As much as I complain about the ownership’s unwillingness to rebuild, I will say that they have shown the willingness to spend money to win. So it’s always been odd that they are unwilling to retain salary in trades. I do think part of it is the fact that the Flames have been up against the cap for quite awhile making it very difficult to retain cap in trades. In a Markstrom trade, if you are going to retain cap you had better be getting a really good return. I am not sure that Holtz is the right return, for me to retain cap for this year and 2 years after.

I agree. Tij is going to be a good player, and I am not against drafting him, but if we package picks to move up I think there are going to be better players available. Also we shouldn’t be comparing Tij to Jarome if we are looking at drafting him. We have to compare Tij to the other players available. Who his Dad is has nothing to do with who Tij is, and you have to take that out of the equation. Maybe if 2 players are close then you can use bloodlines as a tie breaker, as that player will have a good idea of what takes to be a pro. Back on topic a bit this is the right draft to move up if the opportunity presents itself, but it is very difficult to trade into the top 10 or higher.

IMO Iginla isn’t a top 10 pick, just outside of the top 10 for sure. I like the idea of drafting Iginla for the nostalgia and everything, but I would like to aim higher. I also would much rather use a high 1st on a center or defense. Also this draft falls off after 20, so I can’t see too many teams valuing late 1sts, and it sounds like teams see those as the same value as 2nd rounders.

Calgary should try and buy low on Adam Boqvist. 23 years old, RHD, 8th overall pick in 2018. Signed at $2.6m for this year and next. He hasn't worked out in Columbus and they might be looking to move on. Thre is going to be some openings on the blueline shortly and it wouldn't be the worst idea to look at buying low on some upside on the blueline.

Sounds like Conroy has received offers of a 2nd for Tanev, but he is holding out for a 1st. With the amount of teams that have interest in Tanev, I could see them possibly get a 1st, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it ended up being a 2nd and a 3rd/4th.

Goalies don’t generally generate huge returns in trades, combine that with Markstrom’s age and contract and I just don’t see the Flames getting a return that is worth it. They are better off having a reliable starter and vet between the pipes while they go through the retool and to help mentor Wolf when he comes up.

2 years at $1m. Even if he is a 4th line energy guy that is still a good signing. I have long been a Pospisil fan, he is been great so far this year and has brought some much needed energy to this team.

Nick Bonino asked to have his contract terminated instead of going to the AHL, so he will be a free agent tomorrow. Wonder if Calgary looks at him on a league minimum deal. There is a definite need at center. Though he might be looking for a playoff team.

Anything is better than Oesterle, one of the worst defensemen I can recall playing for the Flames in recent memory.

I think with the moves they will be going with more of balanced approach to the lines. Huberdeau-Kadri-Sharangovich Mangiapane-Backlund-Coleman Zary-Schwindt-Kuzmenko Pelletier-Rooney-Pospisil

Julien Gauthier is on waivers today, I am not a huge fan of Gauthier, but with Greer goin down with an injury for awhile Gauthier might be worth a claim as a 4th line replacement.

The tough part with losing Ruzicka is the lack of center depth, especially when they finally move Lindholm.

Pretty telling when DeSimone gets claimed and Oesterle doesn't. Losing depth isn't great, but both players needed to move out, so that players who can contribute have room.

3rd member of that WJC team to ask for a leave of absence in a week.

Ruzicka reminds me of Joe Colborne. Size and skill, but doesn’t use either often enough. No urgency in his game. He might get more offensive opportunities once Lindholm is traded, because there will be a spot for a center in the top 6.

This is troubling as Hart and Dube were both part of that WJC team.

I thought maybe Jones would be the next forward up, but Schwindt is a guy who can play on the 4th line and play C/RW. With some of these guys coming up to RFA, you kind of want to see what we have in these young players.

Why are we still playing Oesterle? He has been by far the worst player on the team this year, he isn’t an NHL player. Gilbert, DeSimone, Solovyov, Kuznetsov would all be better choices than Oesterle.

I guess the difference is that with Vrana it was substance abuse and there has been no mention of substance abuse with Kylington, it has been health related. They had the option to put Rooney on a conditioning stint as well, but he went straight to waivers. Just seems less likely that he would get claimed if they put Kylington on waivers, instead of letting him play in a few conditioning games. Colorado and Washington each have two scouts at the game tonight, I am guessing to watch Kylington.

Then why not put him on waivers instead of putting him on a conditioning loan?

as per the CBA he is going to be in the NHL or on waivers within the week.

https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/craig-s-list-dominant-defencemen-set-to-take-over-2024-nhl-draft-1.2061018 Craig Button's draft rankings just came out. He has Silayev 3rd, Helenius 6th andLindstrom 10th. A little surprised he has Berkly Catton down at 13th.