I heard someone mention Barkov would need to fulfil some military commitments....do you know what his deal is?

I think Barkov is on the Flames radar...if they do want him and have 2nd pick, I hope they trade down to 3rd and get him. Worst case you get MacKinnon or Jones and whatever you go to trade down.
- The-O-G

That was me. His parents are Russian but I believe he was born in Finland. I assume that makes him part of Finlands mandatory military program (1yr). I could be wrong, he may be a Russian citizen and not have to do Finnish military.

If they have the 2nd pick they better take MacKinnon...
- FlamesFan12

Who's Frenchy?
- TandA4Flames

Adam French, owner of Steve French

Dude I think they no they're not going to make the playoffs. What's Feaster supposed to say...
- FlamesFan12

Be honest at this point no one will fault him.

Is it that bad of a play though? Maybe grab some players coming out of their ELC's this season?

It's less risky than say a 16th overall pick. Playing with fire though that's for sure.
- The-O-G

For the right type of player I wouldn't be totally against it , but I fear he will not be as picky

For the right type of player I wouldn't be totally against it , but I fear he will not be as picky
- Redmile247

We're all scared dude!

Hey Colin, is there any way you or someone (other blooger here that you're close with ) could do a blog on the teams likely to be looking to dump salary via trade or buy out; specifically on players that CGY may have interest in? I've looked at Capgeek.com and it looks like there are a few for sure. How do the Rangers afford everyone after that big trade (I know they actaully saved money with moving Gab's but still).

We're all scared dude!
- The-O-G

The time to get scared is when you picked 3x @ #1 and it looks like your team is destined for another top 3 pick. That's when you get scared.

They already have Schenn, Couts and Laughton.... They could use wingers and D
- TandA4Flames

As I said I think Philly could use D over a C, but you think they pass up Monahan if he's there?

Hey Colin, is there any way you or someone (other blooger here that you're close with ) could do a blog on the teams likely to be looking to dump salary via trade or buy out; specifically on players that CGY may have interest in? I've looked at Capgeek.com and it looks like there are a few for sure. How do the Rangers afford everyone after that big trade (I know they actaully saved money with moving Gab's but still).
- TandA4Flames

Teams like the Rangers, Bruins, Flyers etc... don't give two poops about the salary cap. Fans get all up in arms that next year those teams could be over the cap, but the GM's simply don't care. They know that worse case scenario they buy players out.

I'm not Colin or a blogger, but I am a Ukrainian and I have to say added bad contracts this year isn't going to be as easy as everyone thinks. I don't think you should be looking at teams that are close to the cap as targets, because honestly those teams have the amnesty option. The teams to look at are teams who's owners might cut salary and can't buy out players. They are the teams that are desperate.

Look at

Dallas, Whitney, Robidas, Cole, Fiddler

Nashville, Gaustad, Legwand, Kostitsyn, Gil

Phoenix, Klesla, Morris, Moss

Tampa, Carle, Salo, Brewer, Ohlund

Florida, Campbell, Bergehiem, Upshall, Kuba

As I said I think Philly cold use D over a C, but you think they pass up Monahan if he's there?
- Iggysbff

Tough to say. I think the quality from 6-15 is pretty good. I guess it depends on where their heads are at. They really need D I think and Risto and Zads are 2 big, nasty D men. Would the Flyers take Monohan over Nichushkin? I know I don't want the Flames to take Nichushkin, but what teams are fine with that Russian risk?

Tough to say. I think the quality from 6-15 is pretty good. I guess it depends on where their heads are at. They really need D I think and Risto and Zads are 2 big, nasty D men. Would the Flyers take Monohan over Nichushkin? I know I don't want the Flames to take Nichushkin, but what teams are fine with that Russian risk?
- TandA4Flames

Two teams who gave their picks to CGY.

I'm not so sure that FLA would take a center. They have Huberdeau and Bjugstad (although THN has Hub's listed as a LW). They may take a close look at Drouin. I aldo don't believe BUF will be interested in a C either, they have Grigs and Girgs drafted from last year. Although they are fairly solid all over. They may be ripe to trade down, way down, and try to draft Fucale or another goalie (then again, they just picked up Hacket in the Pommer trade as well).
You're right, it would just be best if we were in the 2nd overall pick.
I wouldn't mind moving up but I think we may have to look at a team like the Flyers who are likely still more interested in making the PO then rebuilding. I would like to offer Cammi for their 1st straight up (assuming they are top 10). I initially wanted to trade up as well but looking at the prospects available, there is a lot of skill and talen the top 45. If CGY could get 4 1sts, that would be solid. 1 top 5, 2 mid rnd and 1 late rnd (likely 30th with PIT).
- TandA4Flames

I took Huberdeau to be a winger as well. It's what he is listed at and it is what he played at world juniors. He may be playing some center now, but that may be because there is no other options in FLA. For Buffalo, I had forgotton about Grigs and Girgs, but still think they would rather a defenceman.

The flyers could be that first step in trading up where I had said to first target around 9th pick.

Definitely 4 firsts would be great, but I think that 2 in the top 3 or 4 would be even better.

Examples: Tuuka Rask, Marcus Johansson, Karl Alzner, McDonaugh, Stepan, Hagelin, Zuccarrelo, Luke Adam, Nick Leddy, Cal Clutterbuck, Chris Tanev


Anyways, these are the type of RFA's out there that are probably due decent size raises on teams that are near the current cap.

Could be tough to sign these guys ALA Benn, Subban, this season. Might be able to poach a couple of them.
- The-O-G

I don't mind that too bad .... Here's another idea , instead of using our firsts to get those guys what about using out cap space to help out other teams with crap players they can't buy out .... Just an example so Canuck fans don't jump all over me but say booth and Canucks first for our second or third .... Something along that lines .... You help that team by taking on a buyout and you get a first in return ... Maybe you have to throw in more i don't know .... But if you can accomplish this twice say .... Then you have 5 firsts .... And either trade a couple to move up higher or just use the 5 picks .... Complicated I know lol but what do you think

Two teams who gave their picks to CGY.
- Lahey

True enough. That doesn't help CGY, though. TBL, WAS, BUF?

I don't mind that too bad .... Here's another idea , instead of using our firsts to get those guys what about using out cap space to help out other teams with crap players they can't buy out .... Just an example so Canuck fans don't jump all over me but say booth and Canucks first for our second or third .... Something along that lines .... You help that team by taking on a buyout and you get a first in return ... Maybe you have to throw in more i don't know .... But if you can accomplish this twice say .... Then you have 5 firsts .... And either trade a couple to move up higher or just use the 5 picks .... Complicated I know lol but what do you think
- Redmile247

No team would EVER trade a 1st round pick to dump salary.

Tough to say. I think the quality from 6-15 is pretty good. I guess it depends on where their heads are at. They really need D I think and Risto and Zads are 2 big, nasty D men. Would the Flyers take Monohan over Nichushkin? I know I don't want the Flames to take Nichushkin, but what teams are fine with that Russian risk?
- TandA4Flames

I have Nichushkin going to Buffalo to play with Grigo.

I don't mind that too bad .... Here's another idea , instead of using our firsts to get those guys what about using out cap space to help out other teams with crap players they can't buy out .... Just an example so Canuck fans don't jump all over me but say booth and Canucks first for our second or third .... Something along that lines .... You help that team by taking on a buyout and you get a first in return ... Maybe you have to throw in more i don't know .... But if you can accomplish this twice say .... Then you have 5 firsts .... And either trade a couple to move up higher or just use the 5 picks .... Complicated I know lol but what do you think
- Redmile247

Very true man! I hope they look at scenarios like this. We can fill the gaps for next year and acquire some more quality guys for 2-3 years down the road.

I don't mind that too bad .... Here's another idea , instead of using our firsts to get those guys what about using out cap space to help out other teams with crap players they can't buy out .... Just an example so Canuck fans don't jump all over me but say booth and Canucks first for our second or third .... Something along that lines .... You help that team by taking on a buyout and you get a first in return ... Maybe you have to throw in more i don't know .... But if you can accomplish this twice say .... Then you have 5 firsts .... And either trade a couple to move up higher or just use the 5 picks .... Complicated I know lol but what do you think
- Redmile247

I agree, I think there should be a ton of opportunities for moves like this. I'm not sure teams would offer a 1st rnd but you never know what deals can be worked out.

True enough. That doesn't help CGY, though. TBL, WAS, BUF?
- TandA4Flames

MTL, EDM I really don't know.

The Russian factor is like the g-spot, depending on the year it may or may not exist according to the experts.

No team would EVER trade a 1st round pick to dump salary.
- LenW3

NJ did back in the day.

MTL, EDM I really don't know.

The Russian factor is like the g-spot, depending on the year it may or may not exist according to the experts.
- Lahey

- FlamesFan12

I actually like that one myself

I actually like that one myself
- Lahey

That was good

I actually like that one myself
- Lahey

Yup, well done!