Todd Cordell: Revisiting my 2017-18 Western Conference predictions

1. Edmonton - They have arguably the league's best player and a star goaltender, so they're going to win a lot of games. That said, I do worry about their depth, or lack thereof, on defense.

1. Edmonton - They have arguably the league's best player and a star goaltender, so they're going to win a lot of games. That said, I do worry about their depth, or lack thereof, on defense.


- Lahey

Yeah leagues crappiest GM kinda cancels out McJesus.

Nylander and a first will get you Hamilton all day.
- bobbyisno1

thoughts?

Bloggers should do more of these and keep them brutally honest like this. Shows how fast the league changes.

thoughts?
- Symba007

It's not insane. I'll take that over Stajan, Hagman, Jamal Mayers and Ian White.

thoughts?
- Symba007

Would rather keep the top pairing defenseman on a good contract.

Nylander is a beaut though.

After this season it's pretty obvious that parity beyond the goalline is a fact and that the single most important variable is the goaltender. Most predictions that were right (or wrong) probably missed how critical that is. So maybe $10M+ for a goalie isn't that crazy after all. And maybe moving Carey Price isn't so farfetched either (NMC or not).

thoughts?
- Symba007

It's a move that makes a lot of sense for both teams, but it's also not a move the Leafs will be interested in. Teams just don't make major moves like that after 105 point seasons.

After this season it's pretty obvious that parity beyond the goalline is a fact and that the single most important variable is the goaltender. Most predictions that were right (or wrong) probably missed how critical that is. So maybe $10M+ for a goalie isn't that crazy after all. And maybe moving Carey Price isn't so farfetched either (NMC or not).
- itwasin

Paying a goalie that much is absolutely crazy. This season was a perfect example why. It's pretty much impossible to tell who's going to have a great season before the year starts, and most goalies with NHL contracts are capable of getting hot and carrying their teams.

It's a move that makes a lot of sense for both teams, but it's also not a move the Leafs will be interested in. Teams just don't make major moves like that after 105 point seasons.
- Hunkulese

Hows abouts trying to trade one of the Flames D prospects (or Brodie) for Owen Tippett from Florida. Obviously it would not be a 1 for 1 but depending on how Flames think Kulak and Anderson are coming along maybe Brodie is expendable.

Tippett is a pure goal scorer and also plays with a bit of a chip on his shoulder.

https://dobberprospects.com/owen-tippett/

Floridas GM has gone on record saying that he wants to improve their D corps.

Just a thought.

[quote=DuranDuran]
If he's available, you absolutely make a play for him. I'd shudder to see what the cost would be, though.

Apparently quotes aren't working for me

Hows abouts trying to trade one of the Flames D prospects (or Brodie) for Owen Tippett from Florida. Obviously it would not be a 1 for 1 but depending on how Flames think Kulak and Anderson are coming along maybe Brodie is expendable.

Tippett is a pure goal scorer and also plays with a bit of a chip on his shoulder.

https://dobberprospects.com/owen-tippett/

Floridas GM has gone on record saying that he wants to improve their D corps.

Just a thought.
- DuranDuran

The Flames feel last year was an aberration and that they will be competitive in the division next year, and I agree with them. I can't see them trading Brodie for a prospect. If they can get Tippett for Andersson and Kylington, then sure.

Hey Todd. Maybe if your pacific predictions was in inverse order 😉

thoughts?
- Symba007

Tempting but I would say no. It just creates a bigger hole on your 1st pair. And filling a #1 D position is much harder than trying to fill a wing. I think if they added Gardiner (paired with Hamonic and Brodie moves to RD beside Gio) or Liljegren (possible future top RD 1st pair) I would probably do it. Maybe we’d add another small piece. But trading Hamilton needs to be a trade proposal we absolutely can’t refuse or is a no brainer.

The Flames feel last year was an aberration and that they will be competitive in the division next year, and I agree with them. I can't see them trading Brodie for a prospect. If they can get Tippett for Andersson and Kylington, then sure.
- Hunkulese

I agree that luck ( played a big bad part this year for CGY). But, maybe they feel Tippet is ready for the NHL. Then I would move Brodie and try to squeeze out a 2nd as well. Again, if we have prospects ready to take a spot, move out an older player with a bigger contract. That quote sounds like FLA would prefer a proven NHL player anyway.

It's a move that makes a lot of sense for both teams, but it's also not a move the Leafs will be interested in. Teams just don't make major moves like that after 105 point seasons.
- Hunkulese

Wtf are you talking about? Only a dope didn't notice that the Leafs weak link is their D. Any gm would jump at a chance to strengthen that position. 105 points or not, Hamilton beside Rielly would be a top pair for years to come.
I would not be interested in dealing Hamilton, he should be the only D that is untouchable. Unless it's some extreme overpayment, Nylander and a first is not. Now Nylander for Brodie

1. Edmonton - They have arguably the league's best player and a star goaltender, so they're going to win a lot of games. That said, I do worry about their depth, or lack thereof, on defense.


- Lahey

lol

Chia

Wtf are you talking about? Only a dope didn't notice that the Leafs weak link is their D. Any gm would jump at a chance to strengthen that position. 105 points or not, Hamilton beside Rielly would be a top pair for years to come.
I would not be interested in dealing Hamilton, he should be the only D that is untouchable. Unless it's some extreme overpayment, Nylander and a first is not. Now Nylander for Brodie
- K-man25

I guess you didn't watch many Flames games last year. What was their weak link? Flames fans don't want to trade Hamilton just like Leafs fans don't want to trade Marner or Nylander. You have to trade something of value to get something of value though. The Flames have the players in the system to fill a Hamilton hole just like the Leafs have the players to fill a Nylander hole.

It's not really worth discussing though. The Leafs aren't trading Marner or Nylander after the season they just had.

I guess you didn't watch many Flames games last year. What was their weak link? Flames fans don't want to trade Hamilton just like Leafs fans don't want to trade Marner or Nylander. You have to trade something of value to get something of value though. The Flames have the players in the system to fill a Hamilton hole just like the Leafs have the players to fill a Nylander hole.

It's not really worth discussing though. The Leafs aren't trading Marner or Nylander after the season they just had.
- Hunkulese

Weak link was Glughead. Mans an imbecile!

I guess you didn't watch many Flames games last year. What was their weak link? Flames fans don't want to trade Hamilton just like Leafs fans don't want to trade Marner or Nylander. You have to trade something of value to get something of value though. The Flames have the players in the system to fill a Hamilton hole just like the Leafs have the players to fill a Nylander hole.

It's not really worth discussing though. The Leafs aren't trading Marner or Nylander after the season they just had.
- Hunkulese

I don't think the Flames have a #2 RH defenseman to replace Hamilton. Maybe a top 4 defenseman .... that's asking a lot of a rookie to step in and take on the top lines in the NHL night after night.

I don't think the Flames have a #2 RH defenseman to replace Hamilton. Maybe a top 4 defenseman .... that's asking a lot of a rookie to step in and take on the top lines in the NHL night after night.
- buddy_doug

Obviously, losing Hamilton would create a hole in the Flames lineup, but the Flames also have options to fill that hole. I think Brodie, Hamonic, or Stone could all be successful playing with Giordano. Behind them, the Flames have 4 prospects who are likely to be top 4 NHL defencemen and 3 of them could probably play in the NHL next year. With that many options, they could probably figure something out that works.

The Flames right now have zero attractive options to be the second line scoring RW. They also don't have a single forward prospect who you can say will be a legitimate top six guy with any kind of certainty.

It's a move that makes a lot of sense for both teams, but it's also not a move the Leafs will be interested in. Teams just don't make major moves like that after 105 point seasons.
- Hunkulese

It makes a lot of sense for 1 team. The Leafs. They have the depth to make this type of move. The Flames do not.

This would create a glaring hole on the top pair, the only functional pairing the Flames had last year. Sure, we get a top 6 RW, no argument there, but how do you fill the hole on D? Unless you plan on opening up the wallet for Carlson, there is no replacement on this roster for Dougie.

Sign a free agent for the right side (Neal Grabner Perron), or move some prospect capital to bolster your right wing, but under no circumstance do you mess with your next decade on the top pairing until you either have a replacement or you are in full rebuild.

I never did think Todd knew hs ass from a hole in the ground...turns out I was right.

Why does this site never allow quoting on phones?!!!