Despite being the smallest guy on the ice, Byron sure doesn't play like it... Hudler I think would be a perfect guy to move at the draft to add a couple more picks to the mix.
- jtommyt

I agree, I think you have to find room to keep Byron. Love his game. He's fearless.
Hudler I would like to see moved. I think you can get a decent return for him.

Id rather give a few younger guys who will work to EARN that role, than throwing money at a guy like Seto...tbh.
- Colin Dambrauskas

Ideally, I would too but we're thin on the right side of the prospect pool. Colborne playing on that side has helped, but I don't know if that's a permanent fix.

I was also going to ask if you don't see Byron being resigned & on the big team next year. I think he certainly has earned an extension & some of these Tanguay like passes he's been making lately has shown a definite maturity & confidence level. He has always had the soft hands & skill, even in Buffalo but was unable to translate it to the NHL. Looks like he has this year.

Also was wondering if you think Gaudreau sticks next fall as well? I think he does. & You think Seiloff wont be in the mix for a spot on the big club?

I was also going to ask if you don't see Byron being resigned & on the big team next year. I think he certainly has earned an extension & some of these Tanguay like passes he's been making lately has shown a definite maturity & confidence level. He has always had the soft hands & skill, even in Buffalo but was unable to translate it to the NHL. Looks like he has this year.

Also was wondering if you think Gaudreau sticks next fall as well? I think he does. & You think Seiloff wont be in the mix for a spot on the big club?
- Kevin R

Damn...I missed Gaudreau too. I wrote him down on this piece of paper lol....Byron I didnt include because he already has 35gp this year...so figured he was a given. Sieloff, I think with his style of play, that he will require another year in the A...could see him for a number of games, but not a lot.

On a completely unrelated note... how good is Mark Giordano?!

I just looked up PPG numbers...

1. Karlsson .89
2. Keith .78
3. Giordano .77

Do Flames fans even realize that Gio's putting up these kind of stats this year?

Damn...I missed Gaudreau too. I wrote him down on this piece of paper lol....Byron I didnt include because he already has 35gp this year...so figured he was a given. Sieloff, I think with his style of play, that he will require another year in the A...could see him for a number of games, but not a lot.
- Colin Dambrauskas

So, barring any trades... what would our opening lineup look like next year right now, assuming Cammy re-signs?

Hey Colin,

Not sure I agree with your assesment on Cammy. Why would he resign and hope Burke will explore trade options for him when he has total control at seasons end with regards to where he goes? Why would he give up the power to choose?

I do wonder if the Flames can get anything at all in trading his neg rights before the draft. Probably not.
- Sam67

A few reasons.

1) CGY is one of 4th few teams that can both afford a big $ contract and eat part of it in a trade. Best case I think. Cammi gets paid, CGY gets young assets and help reaching the floor while the kids get playing time and some team gets a $ friendly top 6th/PP scorer.

2) He'll get playing time

3) He likes the city and team

4) Burke has a rep for being trust worthy and honest with his players. If he says he will sign and trade Cammi (if that's what he wants), he'll do it.

Colin,
I believe Markus Granlund will be with the flames next year, If he can slot in on one of the wings that would be even better. I feel like he improved every game he had played. Although he could get packaged into some sort of deal with a good return, but I think he could definitely be an impact player.

Another guy I'd make a call about would be Setoguchi... RW that can put the puck in the net, and he's local so he might be willing to come for cheap.
- jtommyt

I'm down with this as well. Colin is right that he wont make players around him better, but then again we dont really need that. He is a RW which we will need. He'll get playing time which may bump up his stats and help bring in another young asset down the road.

On a completely unrelated note... how good is Mark Giordano?!

I just looked up PPG numbers...

1. Karlsson .89
2. Keith .78
3. Giordano .77

Do Flames fans even realize that Gio's putting up these kind of stats this year?
- jtommyt

Im starting to wonder, if the Flames should actually consider moving him given how much he might bring in during the offseason/draft time...

Sean Monahan, Sven Baertschi, Ben Hanowski, Max Reinhart, Chad Billins, Corban Knight, Tyler Wotherspoon, Joni Ortio, Johnny Gaudreau

Don't see Joe Colbourne sticking around? That's surprising to me...

Edit: Nevermind, I guess you were talking younger less established type guys...

Im starting to wonder, if the Flames should actually consider moving him given how much he might bring in during the offseason/draft time...
- Colin Dambrauskas

Starting price for me would be a 1st, a good young roster player, and a very good prospect. That might not get it done for me, I'd hope for a bidding war up from that point, anything less I walk.

Im starting to wonder, if the Flames should actually consider moving him given how much he might bring in during the offseason/draft time...
- Colin Dambrauskas

I don't think the rest of the league realizes how good he is yet... I mean, he's outscoring guys like Shea Weber, Pietrangelo, Doughty, etc, playing huge and tough minutes, and he's a plus player on a 4th last place team. But if you have a conversation with any hockey fan about whether he's even a comparable player to these guys they'd laugh in your face.

I think you need to keep a guy like that.

Plus, you just don't find players like him, and eventually we're going to need him to push us over the top.

Im starting to wonder, if the Flames should actually consider moving him given how much he might bring in during the offseason/draft time...
- Colin Dambrauskas

If you are going to move him next year at the trade deadline will be the best idea. Keep him on board as long as you can and get the most in return.

I don't think the rest of the league realizes how good he is yet... I mean, he's outscoring guys like Shea Weber, Pietrangelo, Doughty, etc, playing huge and tough minutes, and he's a plus player on a 4th last place team. But if you have a conversation with any hockey fan about whether he's even a comparable player to these guys they'd laugh in your face.

I think you need to keep a guy like that.

Plus, you just don't find players like him, and eventually we're going to need him to push us over the top.
- jtommyt

I think the guys in roles (GM's) to consider that kind of trade would know damn well how good he is. Hockey fan's opinions mean jack poop.

Colin,
I believe Markus Granlund will be with the flames next year, If he can slot in on one of the wings that would be even better. I feel like he improved every game he had played. Although he could get packaged into some sort of deal with a good return, but I think he could definitely be an impact player.
- Lucky23

The only thing that I see working against Granlund for next season is that they want him at center, and he isn't ready to be slotted ahead of Monahan, Backlund, or Stajan. And he is too good to play the 4th line.

I think there is too much already on the wings to move him there. They are better to let him continue to develop as a center in the AHL and with the first injury to a center he gets called up. Keep him concentrating his play as a center so that he will be fully ready for that position when the time comes.

I foresee a very good future third line combination of Granlund, Reinhart, and Klimchuk. in future maybe Granlund on the second line and Backlund onto the third if you want to create a more defensively responsible version.

On a completely unrelated note... how good is Mark Giordano?!

I just looked up PPG numbers...

1. Karlsson .89
2. Keith .78
3. Giordano .77

Do Flames fans even realize that Gio's putting up these kind of stats this year?
- jtommyt

I think most of us do but ill tell you who doesn't, Leafs fans. Some one suggested a Gio for Brennan and Biggs. If you're wondering whk these guys are, you're not alone.

I think the guys in roles (GM's) to consider that kind of trade would know damn well how good he is. Hockey fan's opinions mean jack poop.
- IggyOnly

Do you really see someone offering a similar package to what it would take to land Weber though?

I'd be looking for multiple 1st round picks, and 2 top level prospects... I don't see anyone doing that.

I don't think the rest of the league realizes how good he is yet... I mean, he's outscoring guys like Shea Weber, Pietrangelo, Doughty, etc, playing huge and tough minutes, and he's a plus player on a 4th last place team. But if you have a conversation with any hockey fan about whether he's even a comparable player to these guys they'd laugh in your face.

I think you need to keep a guy like that.

Plus, you just don't find players like him, and eventually we're going to need him to push us over the top.
- jtommyt

Luckily Leaf fans don't determine the value of our players, GMs and pro scouts know who this guy is. If it were up to leaf fans we would take Kulemin and a 2nd, and we would be happy with that!

Luckily Leaf fans don't determine the value of our players, GMs and pro scouts know who this guy is. If it were up to leaf fans we would take Kulemin and a 2nd, and we would be happy with that!
- Saskabush

Actually, there's been conversation on the Leaf threads of Gardiner plus our 2014 1st for starters----the problem we have is our gm paid too much money to Clarkson so we got no cap to work with.

We do know how good Giordano is dude.

So, barring any trades... what would our opening lineup look like next year right now, assuming Cammy re-signs?
- jtommyt

Im not sure my head is on straight enough to try and put that together right now, given what can happen from now till next preseason

The only thing that I see working against Granlund for next season is that they want him at center, and he isn't ready to be slotted ahead of Monahan, Backlund, or Stajan. And he is too good to play the 4th line.

I think there is too much already on the wings to move him there. They are better to let him continue to develop as a center in the AHL and with the first injury to a center he gets called up. Keep him concentrating his play as a center so that he will be fully ready for that position when the time comes.

I foresee a very good future third line combination of Granlund, Reinhart, and Klimchuk. in future maybe Granlund on the second line and Backlund onto the third if you want to create a more defensively responsible version.
- dal_johnson

Yep...callup basis is all I can see for next year.

Actually, there's been conversation on the Leaf threads of Gardiner plus our 2014 1st for starters----the problem we have is our gm paid too much money to Clarkson so we got no cap to work with.

We do know how good Giordano is dude.
- mykokes

Cap going up, plus $2-3M in freed up cap space with Tucker/Army/Scrivens/Frattin coming off the books....Toronto should have some wiggle room.

Im not sure my head is on straight enough to try and put that together right now, given what can happen from now till next preseason
- Colin Dambrauskas

Best way to do it is not set up a lineup by position but rather who you want to see the Flames carry on your roster.

Cap going up, plus $2-3M in freed up cap space with Tucker/Army/Scrivens/Frattin coming off the books....Toronto should have some wiggle room.
- Colin Dambrauskas

The freed cap space are taken up by Kessel's and Phaneufs extensions. The cap going up might cover the rfa resignings......might have some room to play with.

Serious question though, do Phaneuf and Giordano get along? and did they work well together?