Sobieit

I don't think this is the answer. As much as we had expectations and it sucks, I think they stay the course, play some of the young guys and use the rest of the season to prepare for next. This offseason with the expansion draft will provide tons of opportunities in the trade market. Making a trade midseason when they are desperate is just asking for trouble. I am not opposed to it, just don't want a redo of the Phanuef trade. Sutter can implement systems, evaluate talent and character and then this offseason is when changes can and will be made.

You've mentioned this Monahan + Hanifin for Dubois many times before... Would you seriously be happy with that value? How much better is Dubois? This trade creates more problems then it fixes.

This. I just don't see a team of guys who want to win. I see a couple guys who do, Lindholm, Mang, Tkatchuk, Lucic, Tanev, Markstrom, Rittich. As a team tho, they are content with a loss. The best players on any team in any sport I've played on are the guys who hate to lose. And the more they are losing the better they play. On this version of the Flames there are not enough guys who hate to lose. Play the game like you hate to lose and if you're being beaten... you'd better make the other team wish they hadn't won.

The reason he can’t be put on the taxi squad is simply because his contact comes with a no movement clause... means he cannot be placed on waivers without his permission and getting placed on the taxi squad requires waivers.

I agree. I think he isn't a strong skater and he plays a similar game to Monahan. They need a good skater, someone who can forecheck, hit and wear opponents down. Have they ever tried Gaudreau Monahan Bennett? I can't remember if this has ever been done with all three together. Then Mang Backlund Leivo would be alright.

I hope he’s ok too.... I was more thinking because he was out of shape hah

https://edmontonjournal.com/sports/hockey/nhl/cult-of-hockey/four-edmonton-oilers-forwards-unfit-to-play-as-first-day-training-camp-lines-announced Apparently Neal is "Unfit to play".... This makes me smile for some reason.

I think in camp, its about trying new things. Ultimately IMO they will be most successful with Monahan and Gaudreau together... we have Dube, Leivo, Lindholm, even maybe Tkatchuk which they haven't tried much... roll with whoever finds chemistry.... the key for me is to get Monahan and Gaudreau rolling, when they are rolling we win games... so whatever they need to do to make that happen. IMO we have 3 options: 1) Gaudreau Monahan Lindholm Mang Backlund Tkatchuk Dube Bennett Leivo Lucic Ryan Simon/Gawdin(or whoever you choose) 2) Gaudreau Monahan Dube Tkatchuk Bennett Lindholm Mang Backlund Leivo Lucic Ryan Simon/Gawdin(or whoever you choose) 3) Gaudreau Monahan Leivo Tkatchuk Backlund Lindholm Mang Bennett Dube Lucic Ryan Simon/Gawdin(or whoever you choose) Of course even then the opportunities to mix and match the middle six is great. Maybe swap Backs and Bennett. But again for me it comes down to how to get Gaudreau and Monahan rolling.

Personally I love this. Totally nostalgia. I remember as a kid my first flames jersey was a blasty jersey. This will look great with #19 and Tkatchuk on the back!

I am in the same boat. Bennett was outstanding in the playoffs and hopefully the confidence is still there to start the season. I would like to see something like this. Its a balanced lineup, shelters Bennett a little bit. Allows Backlund to continue to take the tougher matchups with Mangiapane and Gawdin. Speed on all lines. Dube Monahan Lindholm Gaudreau Bennett Tkatchuk Mangiapane Backlund Gawdin Lucic Ryan Nordstrom