CheersMan

Make it 40 games. That will give you extra time to caress your U16 hockey cards.

I see his strengths as a mucker, grinder type, his goals aren’t usually pretty, most seem to come from crashing the crease area, which can be done from the wing. Top centres should have a lethal shot, aka Monahan, Lindholm types, which bumps Benny down the lineup if he wishes to be centre here. On wing I could see him playing top two lines for sure.

Sure, why not, let’s put him there for an extended period of time and see what happens. Sam’s camp hasn’t really given the team much choice. Looks to be an all in or nothing approach.

Well I guess that’s the easy choice if you need someone to carry you. However, if you want the position, take what you are given and move up the food chain, if you can.

Maybe play centre?

Maybe you can get him a message thru the Flames organization, and possibly he responds.

I don’t get this talk that Flames organization some how failed SB. Never have, never will. SB was given ample opportunity, by 4 coaches now, and every coach came to the same realization. SB just couldn’t work his way up the lineup. He wasn’t taking Monahan’s spot, or Backlund’s or Lindholm’s, so he finds himself on 3rd and 4th line rolls where he makes no else look better or even himself. That is where SB slots in on this team and as a fan I’m okay with that. I can look past the high expectations that naturally come with being drafted 4OA. SB is an NHL’er, but he is no superstar and never will be. I’d be happy keeping SB on my team in the role where he fits. If SB is not happy with that, then set him free because he is not helping us by being unhappy. I just hope BT can find good value in trade, should it occur.

I think Benning made the right call too. Demko's playoff performance made the decision for Benning, small sample size but you can't ignore it. Remember Bennett's sample size vs Canucks as an 18 yr old? We all pegged SB as #1 centre after a few playoff games. It can go both ways. Do you sign 31yr old Markstrom to 6x6 or do you sign recent SC winner 31 yr old Holtby to 2x4.3 to bridge over to Demko? That was an easy one for Benning. Their loss, our gain. But for how long? Lets hope Markstrom comes as advertise and with longevity. Markstrom and his 0.935 SV% would change most of the Canuck stats you posted above. I think Canucks will be fine though.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doug_Risebrough

This is an interesting concept. You want Brad to lose a trade by say 20% so that we can have an equivalent potential on the RT side? Hmm...

LOL! Your PP works with forward pairs. Your can't have them playing on separate lines then playing together on the PP. Now all your lines are in a blender.

Who said JHG was going anywhere? I disagree with splitting up the two, its been tried on numerous occasions with no success. Your best set-up man belongs with your best snipper. JHG finds SM stick over and over just prior to the red light going on. They need a complimentary piece on the RT side. Lindholm has been doing a fine job there but maybe there is a better option.

Please not the horse head. The horse looks good on our football players, but not our hockey players.

Ward has gained my respect and I think he is deserving of the head coach position, I like the promotion. Ward is a great communicator. I enjoy listening to him talk hockey, I suppose he is coaching the fans too, unlike some other coaches.

Nieuw raised the bar high for that number. Here's to Markstrom bringing respectability back to #25, 25 years later.

What's the story line on that number?

The funny thing is Smitty wants to retire real bad, but hey, for 2M he'll dust off his Kimona.

They don't appear to be to concerned with next years draft either, with 2 picks in the top 5 rounds.

I for one really appreciate this thread, particularly the work Crzydrvr puts into it. I found myself referring to it all evening, wondering who's left for us. Hope this thread and its quality contents live on!

Can’t believe the SC was awarded in Edmonton Roger’s Place this evening. Another significant step for the Oilers organization.😂

Fox continued on and gave CAR the middle finger salute as well. Punk Kids.

Some say blow it up! Who thought VAN should have blown it up when Jimbo took over the mess Gillis left him? I did. I thought for sure they would spend the next 5+ yrs in the basement collecting picks. I thought Jimbo was 8 eggs short of a dozen when he took over VAN but he has shown how to build a completive team in short order with the tools at his dispense. Some will say what has VAN won? Well the answer is nothing and I hope it stays nothing but they may have had a better team than ours this post season. What if Jimbo never fell for the Bart trade, he may have Anderson in his wheel house instead. What if Jimbo took Tkachuk instead of positional need in Juolevi? I haven't seen Juolevi play, maybe he turns out to be a player, who knows. Blowing it up and living in the basement has no guarantees of producing a great team. Look at ARI, they have been collecting draft picks for the last 10 years, where are they today? How about TB, they have been building since 06 when they picked Stamkos 1st OA. Good chance nobody remembers them this season either. Just sayin'

No where in my post did I defend Flames playoff history, I was referring to this team. I believe “Blow-up” refers to our best players, that being SM and JHG specifically, both of whom are either a top 10 goal-scorer or pay-maker in this league. I’m not convinced moving them now at 70 cents on the dollar will bring back an equivalent, but instead cast us to the bottom with the other basement dwellers for who knows how long. We still have a window of time with these guys at a decent dollar, might be best to add some complementary pieces now and give it another shot. The past does not dictate the future.

I want a team that is a legit contender too. Taking a chance with lottery would mean tearing it down and you sitting in a Dome seat 40 games a year for the next umpteen years watching and waiting. I'm thinking you gone after one season. Landeskog -one more year and he gone. MacKinnon -signed a fools deal, not sure if he sleeps at night because of it. Jost -nothing fancy and looking to get paid next season. Rantanen -locked in, but should be ashamed for taking Mac's $ Makar -one more year then will be looking for the fences. Byram -will see Newhook -will see Other than Mac, Flames aren't far off when it comes to talent.

Its a game of inches and bounces, you cant make emotional decisions because there are 30 other GM's waiting to offer you a Kleenex (NOT). BT is the sort to sniff out all options. I'm ok with BT moving forward.