On Nick Shore
I thought the decision not to qualify Shore was rather interesting and not in a good way. He's not an impact player, of course, but he's a smart, defensively responsible center who can drive possession. He's also a surprisingly good passer and playmaker.
His counting totals don't jump off the page by any means but it's probably fair to say his playmaking ability would show more if he hadn't been attached at the hip to the likes of Trevor Lewis, Jordan Nolan, and Kyle Clifford, among others, in recent years. If that's who you're feeding pucks to, you're not going to get many assists.
Given the trash the Flames have trotted out in the bottom-6 over the last few years, you'd think they'd want to keep as many capable depth options as possible. Especially right-handed shots.
Hopefully this is a case where a player doesn't get a QO and still ends up re-signing – like we saw with Martin Frk in Detroit.
On Derek Ryan
In a way, it really won't be surprising if the Flames follow through and let Shore go. They continue to be strongly linked to Derek Ryan, who happens to be a right-handed shot who primarily plays center.
His counting totals are better, Bill Peters loves him, he's a Western Canada guy, and he'll be affordable.
If the Flames get his signature, they can trot out Sean Monahan, Mikael Backlund, Mark Jankowski, and Ryan down the middle.
I'd still want to keep Shore around as insurance at center/on the right side but perhaps the Flames have other plans in free agency or via trade. Speaking of...
Watch Minnesota
It's no secret the Flames' top priority this off-season is adding more scoring. Elias Lindholm is a nice player but bringing him in and losing Micheal Ferland doesn't move the needle all that much.
The Flames still need more pop. One guy who could provide it is Jason Zucker. …‹The Wild want to shake things up and his name is out there.
Oilers related 31 Thoughts:
— BLH (@BeerLeagueHeroe) June 25, 2018
16. There was Western Canadian interest in Jason Zucker. I asked if that meant Calgary, Edmonton and/or Vancouver, and was told, “Yes.… God only knows if that referred to one, two, or all three of them.
Now, he would not be cheap in terms of cost of acquisition or next contract. Rightfully so.
Over the last two seasons, only 14 players have scored more 5v5 goals than Zucker. 14. He's tallied more than Brad Marchand, Jamie Benn, Nathan MacKinnon, John Tavares and Phil Kessel to name but a few. He'd provide a big boost to a Flames team that finished 27th in 5v5 goals last season.
I don't know if they have the assets to get a deal done – I'd imagine it'd cost Sam Bennett++ – but it's a situation worth watching.
Recent posts: …‹Reviewing the Flames' 2018 draft class