The Devils could already be maturing into a contending team next year without Gaudreau if their goaltending works out.
- Hunkulese

I think you are saying that based on them getting a couple of first overalls. They aren't that good that they'll make some jump that fast.

Replace JG with Taylor Hall, then trade him to the Devils for something like: Palmieri, Ty Smith, a high first round pick, and a 2nd round pick! Love it! The Flames will be sooooo good. Ty Smith (or Kylington who I really like) replaces Brodie, Valimaki replaces Hamonic... We are set!

Even without the 2nd rounder, I do this trade. A high 1st rounder this year is likely to get a very very good player, this draft is supposed to be one of the best in years.
- quinneroma

You can forget about getting Ty Smth. He will NOT be included in any trade package

it makes zero sense to trade for JH with only 2 years left on his contract. His current cap hit means nothing to us, we have a huge amount of space and aren’t against the cap for a long time. Multiple firsts during a rebuild? Nope! The Flames are the team w/o leverage in this scenario, as they need the space to get what they need in Hall. We could eat a bad contract + Johnny to help out but Nico, Hughes, Smith, Foote, Bahl, Mack and our two top 1st’s this season should all be off the table.

JH is good, but giving up as much as Calgary fans have suggested is bad business. If he was in the last year and was in position to work out a lucrative extension, you’d be in much better spot to get a big return. But he will be seen in same way teams approach deadline trades, essentially, as a rental. Star players are showing more and more they want control of where they play.

Johnny Hockey can’t save the Devils, if he came back East he needs to go to Philly.
- Tee56

Once the Flames and Flyers are bumped out early they'll work on a deal.

I disagree. If I was a Devils fan, I'd be giddy with excitement at the prospect of bringing Johnny Hockey to my team. He's a local boy, he's exciting to watch, he has that aura of fame, and would add a high level of offence to the team.
- Kzak99

sorry that line made me laugh.

If I understand the conditional 3rd round pick for next year the Devils got for the Hall trade. It Turns into a Second if the Yotes make it through the 1st round of the Playoffs and If Hall resigns with them it would then turn into a 1st...am I correct?

If that's the case...I am praying to the Hockey gods for the Planets to align for the Devils. Hall may just resign with the Yotes for Tax reasons alone. What is the Tax rate up in the Great White North? Halls can play Golf year round in Arizona and work on his tan. There are reasons people like it in the Sun rather then the Cold of Calgary.

All signs point to Calgary and NJ continuing to spin their wheels.

Not really sure why so many Flames fans value JG as high as they do. He’s a peripheral player. Disappears when it counts. He’s not a game breaker when it counts. He’s not worth 2 first round picks plus a top prospect. He’s likely worth a mid first round pick plus a solid prospect. And maybe a roster player with term. Definitely not getting NJ’s pick at #10 and that Vancouver pick from the Coleman trade. And Ty Smith. Pfft!! Sorry. Might get the latter 2 of those considerations. MAYBE. It’s only 2 years of JG at close to $7 m per. And that’s without the Flames’ supporting cast.

It’s harder to trade a top player these days especially with the salary cap flatlining for the next year or two. I honestly don’t think anything happens here.

Hall is not going to Calgary. I live here and I’d love to see the Flames add a top player. Not a Flames fan myself but I’d like to see the home team do well. It’s good for the city.

All signs point to Calgary and NJ continuing to spin their wheels.
- DeuceNine

Time will tell...nothing else.

#10 overall pick-2020

Reilly Walsh , Seney , Studenic

3rd round pick 2021

sorry that line made me laugh.
- niteislander

Bahaha, I was trying to project the idea that he's famous but more like when a goal or something that involves him, you automatically turn your eyes to the tv because you know something really cool is going to happen. How could I have worded that differently?

I think you are saying that based on them getting a couple of first overalls. They aren't that good that they'll make some jump that fast.
- RogerRoeper

They have a decent set of young forwards that should be getting better. They have some great prospects who could be ready to play next year. If Subban bounces back at all, their defence is alright. If they can get above-average goaltending, they'll be competitive.

Well for me, the only option would be Konecny and I just don't know Philly would be willing to give him up. If the rumors are true and JG is going to leave after this contract runs out and he's going to sign with Philly, they won't give up much because they think they'll get him for free. We could take some young d like you suggested but does that put us in a rebuild because we'd be trading away our highest scorer. It's a tough one man, let's keep our fingers crossed that either Johnny wants to sign long term or this whole Taylor Hall signing and getting picks and a top prospect (I'd love to get Foote) from NJ happens.
- Kzak99

I’m just gonna tell you right off the bat that they won’t give Konecny. He’s got a similar skill level, but with an edge to his game. Plus he’s younger, cheaper, and home grown. Not sayin he’ll hit JG’s highest peak of point totals, but he’s a guy who’s potential could flirt with 80-85 for a few seasons, and should be a reliable 65 point guy for the long term. He’s solid.

Konecny is part of their core at this point. You don’t trade a core piece for a guy you can grab as a FA in the short term.

But I can see why you’d ask, for sure

I’m just gonna tell you right off the bat that they won’t give Konecny. He’s got a similar skill level, but with an edge to his game. Plus he’s younger, cheaper, and home grown. Not sayin he’ll hit JG’s highest peak of point totals, but he’s a guy who’s potential could flirt with 80-85 for a few seasons, and should be a reliable 65 point guy for the long term. He’s solid.

Konecny is part of their core at this point. You don’t trade a core piece for a guy you can grab as a FA in the short term.

But I can see why you’d ask, for sure
- Hesh_

Absolutely, that's pretty much what I said and the reason it's best to work out a deal with NJ. Hopefully is willing to extend with the Devils which would give him much more value.

If Flames trade Gaudreau and add Hall they are idiots.
- RogerRoeper

It would be Hall plus high end picks/prospects/players (some combo)

can't dismiss it, could be a big win...you are essentially adding for free. IF Gaudreau won't sign long term in Calgary they would be idiots not to look at it...in his final year he has a modified NTC too.

All this being said Gaudreau has some 100+ point seasons in him IMO, I would be really careful

It would be Hall plus high end picks/prospects/players (some combo)

can't dismiss it, could be a big win...you are essentially adding for free. IF Gaudreau won't sign long term in Calgary they would be idiots not to look at it...in his final year he has a modified NTC too.

All this being said Gaudreau has some 100+ point seasons in him IMO, I would be really careful
- flashfire

i think it's worth noting that Johnny Hockey is 27 years old in August. We're not talking about a young player here anymore (in either case).

Whoever sign's Gaudreau's next contract will be signing a player on the downslope of his career. It's likely best to cash out on him now and get a bunch of assets back rather than wait and potentially lose him for nothing or sign him to a deal you'll regret.

Absolutely, that's pretty much what I said and the reason it's best to work out a deal with NJ. Hopefully is willing to extend with the Devils which would give him much more value.
- Kzak99

Despite Konecny being off the table, they actually do have a glut of young talent to offer. Especially if you want some help on the blue line.

You can forget about getting Ty Smth. He will NOT be included in any trade package

- Crushers68

Damn, I was about to offer Connor and Leon

All this being said Gaudreau has some 100+ point seasons in him IMO, I would be really careful
- flashfire

lol maybe if he played in a beer league in Airdrie

Despite Konecny being off the table, they actually do have a glut of young talent to offer. Especially if you want some help on the blue line.
- Hesh_

I don't mind trading for young talent and draft picks as long as we get Hall. Otherwise, it's just a rebuild, then we may as well trade out Gio, Backlund, and not re-sign any our UFA defensemen.