You can keep arguing all you want, but the bottom line is there's about a 0.5% chance Monahan or Gaudreau is getting traded. Unless it's something ridiculously stupid like the Sabres willing to trade Eichel or Columbus willing to trade Jones, it's not happening this year. There isn't a trade that makes any sense with Buffalo since both teams want to win next year.

It makes zero sense for the Flames to be trading either of them this offseason unless they're blowing everything up.
- Hunkulese

I totally agree. This blog was just bulls!t, looking for hits. If Monahan is only projected as a #2 center, then why the Fuk wouldn’t we keep him and trade for a #1 or move Lindholm into that spot? Toronto needs to cut salary, Nylander might fill the bill. Too many armchair GMS putting out crap trade proposals. If TRELIVING is trying to improve this team he better be shopping for a #1 goalie. Our goaltending has been so inconsistent it’s embarrassing.

Did the entire Flames first line poop the bed the prior years when he never approached 80 either?
- kingcong39

Sigh. I acknowledged the 60 points. And its called progression. There was reason to think that last year was the beginning of a breakout... then Johnhy and Gio all also fell off a cliff this year and the assists went with them... not to mention the line (frank)ery that was going on. Johnnys regression was, IMO, more noticeable given that Mony at least worked on other aspects of his game this year.

But, um, that only 8 of those have come at even strength is... well, it's not good.
- rmull905

All goals count the same.

GMs with their jobs on the line don't trade away their best players hoping that it'll improve the team in three years. Trading Gaudreau and Monahan for prospects and picks pretty much ensures the Flames will be awful next year and Treliving will be gone.

They also didn't blow it. They got shut down by the team that was the best at shutting teams down this year. They were also missing their second-best player for the series and were still 11 seconds away from a 3-1 lead.
- Hunkulese

First, I'm not saying both will be traded but one will be. Second, I don't disagree that it will be a mistake - I know that trading away top players almost never improves the team that deals away unless a rare fair trade "hockey deal" occurs.

They absolutely blew it! They were dominated all but Game 1 (which happens to be Tkachuk's only game). First line was decimated at 5v5 and scored 0 goals not on the powerplay which is now back-to-back years.

Blowing a 3-1 series lead in the last 11 seconds and ultimately losing 4-2 (including G6 when you have a 3-0 lead to start) is the definition of "blowing it".

I totally agree. This blog was just bulls!t, looking for hits. If Monahan is only projected as a #2 center, then why the Fuk wouldn’t we keep him and trade for a #1 or move Lindholm into that spot? Toronto needs to cut salary, Nylander might fill the bill. Too many armchair GMS putting out crap trade proposals. If TRELIVING is trying to improve this team he better be shopping for a #1 goalie. Our goaltending has been so inconsistent it’s embarrassing.
- K-man25

If we're making a list of what needs to be done to improve the team, the list should read:

1 - getting a legitimate head coach - Ward's line decisions and stubbornness are baffling

2 - re-organizing/trading for a first-line centre - easier said than done which is why shifting Lindholm to centre and moving everyone else down a line may be the best option

3 - re-sign Brodie and acquire another RH defensive minded dman (Demelo, etc.) With the emergence of Vali and Andersson - they need more defence first players and let the young guys pick up the offensive tasks. Andersson has a canon and Vali has good offensive awareness.

Off-topic discussion: What about shifting Kylington to forward?

He's fast and offensively gifted while being a serviceable bottom-6 player that you wouldn't need to worry about finding.

If we're making a list of what needs to be done to improve the team, the list should read:

1 - getting a legitimate head coach - Ward's line decisions and stubbornness are baffling

2 - re-organizing/trading for a first-line centre - easier said than done which is why shifting Lindholm to centre and moving everyone else down a line may be the best option

3 - re-sign Brodie and acquire another RH defensive minded dman (Demelo, etc.) With the emergence of Vali and Andersson - they need more defence first players and let the young guys pick up the offensive tasks. Andersson has a canon and Vali has good offensive awareness.
- LittleBroDougie

Agree and would also like them to add a goalie. As far as D goes Gustafsson and Forbert seemed to make a decent bottom pairing. Not sure we van afford them.

3 - re-sign Brodie and acquire another RH defensive minded dman (Demelo, etc.) With the emergence of Vali and Andersson - they need more defence first players and let the young guys pick up the offensive tasks. Andersson has a canon and Vali has good offensive awareness.
- LittleBroDougie

The emergence of Valimaki? What? The dude hasn't played a game of hockey anywhere in a year and a half. He has a total of 24 uneventful games played in his career.

Sure, he probably has a decent future ahead of him, but he still needs to be looked at and treated like a rookie. If he can stay healthy, he'll be used in the same spot Andersson was two years ago. He's a bottom pairing guy next season unless they can't sign anyone at all.

If we're making a list of what needs to be done to improve the team, the list should read:

1 - getting a legitimate head coach - Ward's line decisions and stubbornness are baffling

2 - re-organizing/trading for a first-line centre - easier said than done which is why shifting Lindholm to centre and moving everyone else down a line may be the best option

3 - re-sign Brodie and acquire another RH defensive minded dman (Demelo, etc.) With the emergence of Vali and Andersson - they need more defence first players and let the young guys pick up the offensive tasks. Andersson has a canon and Vali has good offensive awareness.
- LittleBroDougie

Imo
Goalie should be the #1 thing on the to do list. This 11 goalies in 6 years is crazy. Spend some money and get a legitimate #1.

Imo
Goalie should be the #1 thing on the to do list. This 11 goalies in 6 years is crazy. Spend some money and get a legitimate #1.
- K-man25

How many head coaches in 6 years? Tre has his work cut out. Both those an a future 1C should be in the works.

The emergence of Valimaki? What? The dude hasn't played a game of hockey anywhere in a year and a half. He has a total of 24 uneventful games played in his career.

Sure, he probably has a decent future ahead of him, but he still needs to be looked at and treated like a rookie. If he can stay healthy, he'll be used in the same spot Andersson was two years ago. He's a bottom pairing guy next season unless they can't sign anyone at all.
- Hunkulese

I never said he'd be anything higher than 3rd pair...? But he can definitely get fed o-zone starts and can be paired with said new defensive player (DeMelo or whoever) to reduce responsability.

Imo
Goalie should be the #1 thing on the to do list. This 11 goalies in 6 years is crazy. Spend some money and get a legitimate #1.
- K-man25

Only guy I like (that if free go after) is Lehner and he's rumoured to return to Vegas after this run.

How many head coaches in 6 years? Tre has his work cut out. Both those an a future 1C should be in the works.
- DuranDuran

Not afraid to say it. I liked Hartley!

Agree and would also like them to add a goalie. As far as D goes Gustafsson and Forbert seemed to make a decent bottom pairing. Not sure we van afford them.
- DuranDuran

I'd like to see
Gio - Brodie
Hanifin - Andersson
Vali - new guy
Kylington

Unless they move on from Gio which I wouldn't hate at the right price...

Only guy I like (that if free go after) is Lehner and he's rumoured to return to Vegas after this run.
- LittleBroDougie

Markstrom has really become a good goalie That would fit in nicely, but Benning says he wants him back
I like Murray but not at the cost of Bennett or Dube.

Why is this though? I got into this argument with a bunch of people a couple years ago when Hoffman was traded and everyone thought it was nuts to move Bennett straight up for him

Out of Cozens, you likely hope to see 30 goals and 80 points a season, which is basically what you get out of Mony today. From scouting reports, I don't see a ton regarding his defensive prowess, he's mostly a shooter, which is Monahan, though he might have a more physical edge.

The argument being, if you have a known quantity that is the ceiling of the guy you're trading away, why not take the known quantity?
- rmull905

Monahan has reached 65 points ONCE in his career, how is he a 30g 80 point player?

Monahan has reached 65 points ONCE in his career, how is he a 30g 80 point player?
- wreckage

He actually got to 80 points ONCE. He also had three other seasons right around 65 points and 5 seasons right around 30 goals.

It's pretty fair to assume 30g and 65p from him every year.

He actually got to 80 points ONCE. He also had three other seasons right around 65 points and 5 seasons right around 30 goals.

It's pretty fair to assume 30g and 65p from him every year.
- Hunkulese

He has been a 30g 80p guy exactly 1 time. To call him that is false.

He has also only scored 30g 3 times out of 7. So to say he is a 30g scorer more times than not is also false.

To say he has that potential and could be, that is fair. He has done it, so there is no reason to believe he cannot again, while he is still young. But to say he is a perennial 30g 80p guy is wrong. Which is what the post contended. He is a 29g 76p guy at this time in his career. Riding the coattails of Jenny's best years and juiced by one great year.

Fair to say Sean is a fringe 30g 65p guy. Which isn't bad. But not 1st line production. Sean is a good player, but shouldn't be considered a 1C on about any team. But as a 2C with PP time he is acceptable or better.

Markstrom has really become a good goalie That would fit in nicely, but Benning says he wants him back
I like Murray but not at the cost of Bennett or Dube.
- K-man25

I don't mind Markstrom but he seems to want a 5yr deal for ~6M which is a huge investment for someone of his calibre. I'm weary of him.

He actually got to 80 points ONCE. He also had three other seasons right around 65 points and 5 seasons right around 30 goals.

It's pretty fair to assume 30g and 65p from him every year.
- Hunkulese

I'd say 25 goals, 60 points, but we're really just splitting hairs at that point.

Ultimately he's a really good player and one that's difficult to find in this league.

I'd say 25 goals, 60 points, but we're really just splitting hairs at that point.

Ultimately he's a really good player and one that's difficult to find in this league.
- BINGO!

Exactly! If the Flames are shopping him there’ll be a line up.

He has been a 30g 80p guy exactly 1 time. To call him that is false.

He has also only scored 30g 3 times out of 7. So to say he is a 30g scorer more times than not is also false.

To say he has that potential and could be, that is fair. He has done it, so there is no reason to believe he cannot again, while he is still young. But to say he is a perennial 30g 80p guy is wrong. Which is what the post contended. He is a 29g 76p guy at this time in his career. Riding the coattails of Jenny's best years and juiced by one great year.

Fair to say Sean is a fringe 30g 65p guy. Which isn't bad. But not 1st line production. Sean is a good player, but shouldn't be considered a 1C on about any team. But as a 2C with PP time he is acceptable or better.
- wreckage

Tough crowd here fck me. Lets consider the following:

Monahan scored 22 goals in this last shortened year, then in order previously 31, 27,27,31,34,22 in his rookie year. He always plays in at least 70 games a year so he is durable. Now take Barkov, drafted same year "1st Line Centre" last year 20, 35,27,21,28,16,8 in his rookie year. He averaged around 60 games per year, so much more injury prone.

Moral of this, the guy scores goals & he's durable. Even a #8 over all dart in an unproven player is not sufficient return for an established 25 year old centre with 3 years left on a good cap/contract. If I was the GM I keep Monahan as my 2nd line centre, bump Lindholm to centre on the top line & thats pretty solid down the middle with two young cost controlled players through their primes.

If Buffalo want a 2nd line centre, I would give up Backlund & our #19 for the #8 & a kid like Middlestat, who struggled last year. Then give the 3rd line centre to Bennett, he's earned it.

Monahan is going to command both that #8 & Cozens to even peak Trelivings interest.
Sorry, we need a guy like Monahan too, we trade him, we then suddenly start looking for a guy like him & they just arent out there. Honest question, if Nuge had 3 more years left on his deal, would you give him up for the #8 & a prospect?

Exactly! If the Flames are shopping him there’ll be a line up.
- K-man25

Agreed. Surprised Rangers weren’t on this list. Certainly a more likely landing spot than Montreal and definately in market for another center. Tons of assets to deal as well.
1st rd pick (#22) Players possibly available: Chytil,Strome, Howden, Anderson, Buchnevich, DeAngelo, Smith, Hajek....

Agreed. Surprised Rangers weren’t on this list. Certainly a more likely landing spot than Montreal and definately in market for another center. Tons of assets to deal as well.
1st rd pick (#22) Players possibly available: Chytil,Strome, Howden, Anderson, Buchnevich, DeAngelo, Smith, Hajek....
- junaka3

Pass, pass, pass, pass, maybe for a low price, pass, pass, pass.

Tough crowd here fck me. Lets consider the following:

Monahan scored 22 goals in this last shortened year, then in order previously 31, 27,27,31,34,22 in his rookie year. He always plays in at least 70 games a year so he is durable. Now take Barkov, drafted same year "1st Line Centre" last year 20, 35,27,21,28,16,8 in his rookie year. He averaged around 60 games per year, so much more injury prone.

Moral of this, the guy scores goals & he's durable. Even a #8 over all dart in an unproven player is not sufficient return for an established 25 year old centre with 3 years left on a good cap/contract. If I was the GM I keep Monahan as my 2nd line centre, bump Lindholm to centre on the top line & thats pretty solid down the middle with two young cost controlled players through their primes.

If Buffalo want a 2nd line centre, I would give up Backlund & our #19 for the #8 & a kid like Middlestat, who struggled last year. Then give the 3rd line centre to Bennett, he's earned it.

Monahan is going to command both that #8 & Cozens to even peak Trelivings interest.
Sorry, we need a guy like Monahan too, we trade him, we then suddenly start looking for a guy like him & they just arent out there. Honest question, if Nuge had 3 more years left on his deal, would you give him up for the #8 & a prospect?
- Kevin R

Now there is a fair comparison. RNH to Monahan. Nuge more a traditional 2nd line center with his complete game and less offense.

Do you think it would be fair for the Oilers to expect 2 top 10 picks for him? I dont. Cozens went 7th o/a 1 year ago and Flames fans expect him and the 8th for the equivalent to a 2nd line Center. Something is off here. Think of what Nuge's value is, then expect that as Monahan's value.