FlameFan4Life

If we are truely all in this year I can see BT moving or buying out Mony and spending that cash on Bergeron short term. Also Montreal is reportedly looking to move on from Anderson. So moving some dmen out and possibly Lucic or Backlund could make the cap work for us. Hube/Berg/Anderson Mang/Lindy/Tofolli Pelltier/Rooney/Coleman Dueher/Rudzica/Lewis Hannafin/Andersen Zadoroz/Weegar Mackey/Tanev

a BUNCH OF WINERS. It is day one and you are acting like we just found out we didn't qualify for the players already. We got cap room and assets they may be in play. Tre is not done. Maybe act positive instead of willing the bad to happen.

It to me is competition for the young guys. Shows that the fourth line is not free.

So Calgary just signed Trevor Lewis 1 year - $800k

This will sound dumb but I think it won't help them win to many more game but may keep them from losing to badly.

It does seem like something is coming with all the depth on the left side. I hope whatever happens brings us a true top 6 right shot right winger

I wonder since CHI is over the cap would they trade Nylander? He is a right shot right winger. Could be a good fit.

Personally I could think of dozens of better trades. I just think the reason this was in some article may have to do with the doubt people have towards Johnny staying here and trying to get something before using him as a deadline asset. I think Johnny is more likely to want to extend with us than Tkachuk. But does that mean that we then trade Chucky for Tarasenko and maybe Kyrou? Or More if he is extended first. I just do not see this team succeeding in the future without a bigger change. These 2 guys are the only way I see enough of a change happening to actually make a difference. Either way I am certain I will be disappointed in the return, or at the fact that nothing will happen at all.

Sorry I am not sure it must include Couturier extend first.

Ok here is one more I read as a rumor. The Voracek, Atkins trade was a trade to tie into a Gaudreau extensions and trade to Philly. This sounds less likely but a read that : Calgary gets: Couturier, Atkins and a first Philly gets: Johnny, Dube Clb gets: A D man from one of the two teams for the added salary they took in the previous deal.

I am not sure how much truth there is to this but I have read that PIT has decided to move on from Zucker, also they had called Calgary and inquired about Lucic. It most likely would take a sweetener on our end but if this was to get done there would be a better balance on the wings and we could then be able to look at the other Ritchie brother as a physical replacement to Lucic with a little more offense. Feel's like a good fit all around. Also a finish to the trade that never was....

People try to understand that just because you say something does not make it right. Eichel is not being traded for roster players alone. There will be pieces as in high end prospect and first round picks that will easily make this team weaker down the road. Even if we all could say that such a trade makes us better right away there are still a few factors to consider. Will Eichel be healthy and recover from his coming surgery fully? What kind of future will we have after giving a first round pick and multiple high end prospect? If Jack Eichel never recovers fully or loses a step or 2 are we going to be happy with the cost to acquire him while still paying his salary? I love the "idea" of a number one center in his prime do not get me wrong. I just do not like the risk to reward equation. Just me saying this but Can we not find a trade out there that is less risk and more certainty for a lesser price? I understand swinging big but this is scary, it could actually end up Eichel has the surgery and never plays again. We would then have paid a king's ransom for a spot on our LTIR.

I agree that the taxi squad is going to be very instrumental in a teams success this year. While we know and expect the top guns to be playing the more competitive nights which will be most nights in the beginning of the season, the nights where we are playing teams lower in the standings or with injuries we will be able to give playing time and get looks at the taxi squad players. We know that by the looks of things there are 3 main forward pairs in: Tkachuk - Lindholm Johnny - Mony Mange - Backs The obvious line mates for these guys are Leivo, Dube, Bennett, Simon, all of which would be on the right side. The fourth line is most likely going to be Lucic - Ryan, and a rotation of the others. The top 5 dmen is clear in Gio, Andersen, Tanev, Hannifin, and Valamaki. The sixth and seventh spots are up in the air. Nestirov, Kylington, and Stone look to be the front runners to me. Goal is obviously Markstrom, Rittich, then Domingue. Although I love the "idea" that changing things up with the busy schedule allows other to rest, and gives the taxi squad playing time I think it may cause more trouble than it is worth. Changing things up is good if it works out, but if it ends up sacrificing existing chemistry along with leaving top end prospects on a taxi squad which can slow down development. Yes they would get to practice with the big club, but real game minutes are huge in progression. Personally I would like to see Lucic and Ryan spend time on the taxi squad to allow Gawdin, and Nordstrom to get time on the forth line if earned.

I totally disagree on the not being trusted in the d-zone.. You do realize he is a penalty killer right? And I watched every game that he has played as a Flame. He does drive hard to the net and yes that can allow players to get the jump on a return rush. This does not matter. He tries harder than most on this team to get back and plays the roles asked of him any given shift. If he is asked or required to play a certain way I believe he plays that way.

I wanted to add to a few comments. I keep reading peoples opinions on a few players and where they should be slotted next year. On Backlund - he is not good on the wing, also he is seen as a very capable center. He is not to old yet but after next season his cap hit starts to look pretty steep. On Lindholm - yes he is our best right wing option. This doesn't mean that he wouldn't be our best center option if given the chance. On Tkachuk - He is very closely tied to STL, and may be as likely to leave as Johnny to PHI. If we really want him to extend long term start working on that now. Give him top line minutes on his strong side and put an 'A' on his chest. On Bennett - people will hate this but if he is going to make the full time permanent move to center he is best suited to replace the minute that Backlund plays as a shut down center but on the 3rd line. He will get less than what he would if we were to play him higher in the line up and replaces part of what both Ryan and Backlund bring but still allows us the option of Gawdin or Dube on the 4th line. As for the left wing - If we are honest, truly honest the older from best to worst is, Tkachuk, Gaudreau, Mange, and Lucic. I add Lucic only because I don't expect them to sit him and at this point training camp hasn't pushed him down YET!! As for right wing - It goes...hahaha Leivo, then who know....Buddy Robinson. (right shots) So even after Ryan is gone we will still have Dube and Bennett as center options right, why not put Gawdin on the right wing and start transitioning him to that position this year? He is said to be ready for NHL minutes and playing the wing is said to be easier. He is not small, or slow, and he is a right shot. In addition we as a team seem to always take chances on the RW position. Mainly on a player who is to old and it never works out. If we can clear the cap space isn't Tyler Johnson the right age, speed and handed player to add? He is free and comes with a pick or more. His contract for his type of player is actually fair. IMO. So why not? I know alot of people in here will disagree but think of things as if you are trying to put players where they fit, and what they have actually proven not what you or we hope they can be. It is not time to take risks on trying players here or there. I feel it is time to come to terms that Bennett is not a top six player full time. He is a gritty bottom six guy that could maybe fill in top 6 in worst cases but he has proven he can play in the bottom six and is so good at it, why move him and have to replace him and then have to give him a big raise if it works? Keeping him in the bottom 6 gives us stability and more cap control long term.