It's been a long summer here in Anaheim, and I think everyone is just waiting for when the dominos will finally start to fall. This is certainly a different take on the logjam on Anaheim's blueline. The nay for me on this trade takes into consideration round 2 of the new playoff format. Los Angeles and San Jose require strong matchups, and a big part of that is strong depth players. If this team continues to rely heavily on the forecheck game remains to be seen, but letting two top tier depth players go for an undersized star won't pan out well in the playoffs.

Depth and this team is something I've been kicking around all summer. Although the Ducks had stellar power play numbers, they were 26th overall in 5v5 scoring. Getzlaf and Perry can be relied on to put up solid numbers, but the depth scoring wasn't there for Anaheim. Why did a roster of this talent level struggle severely at even strength? IMO the urgency wasn't there. When Thompson or Cogliano got the puck on their stick were they thinking, "get my head up, put the game on my shoulders, and create a scoring chance." or were they thinking, "pass it to #15 or #17?"

This team has a bad habit of the depth players always looking to pass, and I think Bruce Boudreau did a bad job of getting the depth players to take initiative. Los Angeles, Chicago and Pittsburgh have a team culture where the depth players step up, take initiative, and make a play. Meanwhile, when Anaheim gets in the heat deep in a playoff series everyone is looking around. They get the "look-its." Between that, and the stupid penalties maybe even Edmonton could give the Ducks a run for their money in a 7-game series.

There must be more brain with the brawn. Carlyle's worth, for me, will be measured by how Silfverberg, Cogliano, Despres, Manson, Bieksa, Garbutt, Raymond and Vermette do in the heat. Every player on the Ducks roster is better than what they exemplified last season, and they'll continue to underperform if they don't have a coach harping urgency and an, "I need more from you right now" mentality.

Urgency, initiative and disciplined play will be the deciding factors for this group.
- IGotTheMemo

How much more would Murray have to spend with a box office and ratings draw like Gaudreau? Probably several million.

Interesting to think about, but if Hall nets you Larsson, then the Ducks should certainly not have to throw in Rakell to make this happen.
- Dollars2Donuts

Hall doesn't net you Larsson normally and the situation isn't the same. Ducks have already broadcast they want to move Fowler while Devils did not want to move Larsson. Oilers also had Lucic lined up to help replace what they were losing in the trade. Bottom line is one wild trade doesn't really set the bar for everyone else.

Hall doesn't net you Larsson normally and the situation isn't the same. Ducks have already broadcast they want to move Fowler while Devils did not want to move Larsson. Oilers also had Lucic lined up to help replace what they were losing in the trade. Bottom line is one wild trade doesn't really set the bar for everyone else.
- Queenie_5_hole

I'm not aware of Murray (GM) ever stating Fowler's on the block. As a Duck fan, I follow the team pretty closely, and I don't recall where Murray has ever "broadcast they want to move Fowler." Maybe I'm wrong. It's ASSUMED he's on the block, given the logjam at D, but that's not coming from the GM. Fowler is still under contract for 2 years, and if he's on the move, he can be moved now, at the deadline, or at seasons end.

I'm not aware of Murray (GM) ever stating Fowler's on the block. As a Duck fan, I follow the team pretty closely, and I don't recall where Murray has ever "broadcast they want to move Fowler." Maybe I'm wrong. It's ASSUMED he's on the block, given the logjam at D, but that's not coming from the GM. Fowler is still under contract for 2 years, and if he's on the move, he can be moved now, at the deadline, or at seasons end.
- quackup

I'm sure the Ducks would rather deal Stoner, but its easier said than done.

I also believe that Hampus is holding out for Ekblad money....and why not? Almost anyone out there would say that they have similar career arcs....and in fact a lot of people would take Hampus over Ekblad.
- Dollars2Donuts

There's a comparison to be had but Ekblad is a full two years younger than Lindholm and I doubt any team in the league would make that deal. Not at this moment anyway... who knows what the next few years will bring us though - either one of them could regress or become a legit superstar.

But right now I doubt there's "a lot of people" who would seriously trade Ekblad for Lindholm.

I'm not aware of Murray (GM) ever stating Fowler's on the block. As a Duck fan, I follow the team pretty closely, and I don't recall where Murray has ever "broadcast they want to move Fowler." Maybe I'm wrong. It's ASSUMED he's on the block, given the logjam at D, but that's not coming from the GM. Fowler is still under contract for 2 years, and if he's on the move, he can be moved now, at the deadline, or at seasons end.
- quackup

With the expansion draft, RFAs that need to be resigned, all the defensemen and some salary cap concerns; there's been a lot of room for assumed speculation.

Chances are is that this team will be more competitive, when it counts, when Fowler is in the lineup. Nevertheless, what could Shay Theodore's projected impact be when given some of Cam's roles? Questions like that, along with a serious analysis of the tradeoffs is what management will be looking at.

It's been a long summer here in Anaheim, and I think everyone is just waiting for when the dominos will finally start to fall. This is certainly a different take on the logjam on Anaheim's blueline. The nay for me on this trade takes into consideration round 2 of the new playoff format. Los Angeles and San Jose require strong matchups, and a big part of that is strong depth players. If this team continues to rely heavily on the forecheck game remains to be seen, but letting two top tier depth players go for an undersized star won't pan out well in the playoffs.

Depth and this team is something I've been kicking around all summer. Although the Ducks had stellar power play numbers, they were 26th overall in 5v5 scoring. Getzlaf and Perry can be relied on to put up solid numbers, but the depth scoring wasn't there for Anaheim. Why did a roster of this talent level struggle severely at even strength? IMO the urgency wasn't there. When Thompson or Cogliano got the puck on their stick were they thinking, "get my head up, put the game on my shoulders, and create a scoring chance." or were they thinking, "pass it to #15 or #17?"

This team has a bad habit of the depth players always looking to pass, and I think Bruce Boudreau did a bad job of getting the depth players to take initiative. Los Angeles, Chicago and Pittsburgh have a team culture where the depth players step up, take initiative, and make a play. Meanwhile, when Anaheim gets in the heat deep in a playoff series everyone is looking around. They get the "look-its." Between that, and the stupid penalties maybe even Edmonton could give the Ducks a run for their money in a 7-game series.

There must be more brain with the brawn. Carlyle's worth, for me, will be measured by how Silfverberg, Cogliano, Despres, Manson, Bieksa, Garbutt, Raymond and Vermette do in the heat. Every player on the Ducks roster is better than what they exemplified last season, and they'll continue to underperform if they don't have a coach harping urgency and an, "I need more from you right now" mentality.

Urgency, initiative and disciplined play will be the deciding factors for this group.
- IGotTheMemo

Chicago has really struggled in the playoffs with that undersized Patrick Kane guy. Good thing you're not managing the team.

Chicago has really struggled in the playoffs with that undersized Patrick Kane guy. Good thing you're not managing the team.
- Razzdazzle1

You know all about watching little Johnny suffer in round 2 of the playoffs. Bahahaha

Calgary has an Eastern Conference identity, yet they're stuck in the Pacific.

You know all about watching little Johnny suffer in round 2 of the playoffs. Bahahaha

Calgary has an Eastern Conference identity, yet they're stuck in the Pacific.
- IGotTheMemo

- Flamin_Irishmin

There's a comparison to be had but Ekblad is a full two years younger than Lindholm and I doubt any team in the league would make that deal. Not at this moment anyway... who knows what the next few years will bring us though - either one of them could regress or become a legit superstar.

But right now I doubt there's "a lot of people" who would seriously trade Ekblad for Lindholm.
- mjones242

If Gaudreau is holding out because of dollar amount then I wouldn't worry too much about it.

If it's term, then I worry. If his heart is not in Calgary, then I would seek a deal at some point. This one I might do.

I think he'd rather play in the east if Calgary isn't the place for him, so in light of that, I think you fellas are dreaming over there.

Not happening, sorry.

Flames bottom 3 d is a disaster but their top 3 is elite as is. I believe at some point Brodie-Hamilton will become the top pairing and would absolutely be an elite top-2 pairing. Meanwhile, their top six outside of Gaudreau and Monahan is extremely thin to the point that they're basically a one-line team on paper. This would be a pretty bad lateral move AT BEST. I like Rakell and would consider him in many other deals but not this one. He is a good player but wouldn't come close to replacing Gaudreau.

If it indeed ends up costing them $8M per (I don't believe it will, but just saying) to re-sign Johnny, they have no choice but to do it. Trading him could and should be a fire-worthy offense.

I think Gaudreau will end up re-signing at 5 years and maybe just under $7.5M per. A 5 year deal allows him to hit UFA in his prime as soon as possible. It's really not, or shouldn't be, a financial issue for the Flames - nearly every bad contract comes off the books in 2017, the other two will be exposed in expansion, and meanwhile they still should have a lot of room even accounting for Bennett and Elliott's extensions.

If Gaudreau is holding out because of dollar amount then I wouldn't worry too much about it.

If it's term, then I worry. If his heart is not in Calgary, then I would seek a deal at some point. This one I might do.

I think he'd rather play in the east if Calgary isn't the place for him, so in light of that, I think you fellas are dreaming over there.
- jazzca1974

If he wanted out he would have asked for a trade. If he wants to eventually go back east one day, which I think is far more likely, his only option is to sign a 5 year deal, because that's the earliest he can hit UFA (he would at 27, but his birthday is in August, so it would be 5 minimum).

I think the holdup is probably due to both term and dollars.

Also even if he wanted to play in the east that's completely out of his control since he doesn't have an NTC.

You know all about watching little Johnny suffer in round 2 of the playoffs. Bahahaha

Calgary has an Eastern Conference identity, yet they're stuck in the Pacific.
- IGotTheMemo

right, in the series we lost due to not really having any right being in the playoffs at all, let alone round 2. meanwhile, what has anaheim done lately besides choke early in the playoffs every year and then replacing one of the best coaches in the game with one of the worst

I'm a huge Johnny Hockey fan and a Flames diehard fanatic. I do that trade, any day of the week and twice on Sunday. I love Johnny, (as a player!), but that's the kind of trade that instantly makes Calgary a threat to win the cup, so deep on the blueline, under the cap, and if Sam Bennett ups his game and Matthew Tkachuk can develop throughout the year as I believe they can, the Flames could legitimately win the cup THIS year and be in contention for years forward. I then protect all 4 Dmen, Bennett, Monahan, Rakell, Backlund and Elliott (who will be resigned before the end of the year). LV would probably take Frolik not Brouwer, and that's not good, but they can live with that. Go Flames Go!
- quinneroma

so many asinine presumptions in this post i don't even know where to begin

But just picture the D corps Giordano, Brodie, Lindholm, AND Hamilton all locked up long term. Subban, Josi, Ekholm, and Ellis come close, but no one else would even be in the same ballpark.
- MaximumBone

yeah, and look how long it took nashville to get a decent forward corps to match that incredible depth on d. this trade wouldn't bring them closer to contention

If he wanted out he would have asked for a trade. If he wants to eventually go back east one day, which I think is far more likely, his only option is to sign a 5 year deal, because that's the earliest he can hit UFA (he would at 27, but his birthday is in August, so it would be 5 minimum).

I think the holdup is probably due to both term and dollars.

Also even if he wanted to play in the east that's completely out of his control since he doesn't have an NTC.
- S Kaspar Rollins

He could hold out for a trade, threatening and making it well know where he'd sign. Unlikely? Sure. Possible? Anything's possible.

right, in the series we lost due to not really having any right being in the playoffs at all, let alone round 2. meanwhile, what has anaheim done lately besides choke early in the playoffs every year and then replacing one of the best coaches in the game with one of the worst
- S Kaspar Rollins

The real reason why you guys lost is your team can't win at the Honda Center.

The real reason why you guys lost is your team can't win at the Honda Center.
- IGotTheMemo

All good things come to an end, just remember that.

He could hold out for a trade, threatening and making it well know where he'd sign. Unlikely? Sure. Possible? Anything's possible.
- jazzca1974

My Lord! Johnny has been treated like gold in Calgary & him & Monahan are pretty tight. Not a chance we look at a deal like this because right now Johnny would be the best player in the deal & Anaheim fills a huge need, we wouldn't. I suggest we just pay Johnny. Give him a $100K more than Tarasenko deal, which by the way is the best comparable but be sure we get 8 years at 7.6mill per. Solid deal by both.

I would do this trade, no hesitation.

I dont think that gets you Johnny hockey.

Flames need slot scoring more than top young D.
Gaudreau is on another level, sorry..

The real reason why you guys lost is your team can't win at the Honda Center.
- IGotTheMemo

well that and they were completely out of their depth playing a team like the Ducks

the Honda Center curse is completely mystifying though given that they've beaten teams as good as or better than Anaheim on the road many times the last 12 years. This is the year they break it!

He could hold out for a trade, threatening and making it well know where he'd sign. Unlikely? Sure. Possible? Anything's possible.
- jazzca1974

Might I remind you that he is an RFA who teams are not allowed to offer sheet, so this is not possible