Eklund: Calgary Off-Season Could Come Down To Gaudreau Or Mangiapane. Buzz@1

of course you would pick the flames to win

Crosby had one Cup at McDavid's age.

While McDavid has only won 1 series prior to this, Matthews has won ZERO. He's the guy you said was better than McDavid. That was a month ago. You also said Skinner NEEDED to replace Mike Smith after Game 1. And of course remember how Nashville was apparently lucky that they avoided Markstrom and got to face the mediocre Kuemper. Not a good track record.

You've been saying Gaudreau is leaving for years. I doubt it. Fully expect him to re-sign this summer. But if he does go, Mangiapane is a huge downgrade. He's nothing more than a solid 2nd line winger. Gaudreau and the top line drew all the top defensive shutdown opponents, allowing Mangiapane to benefit from weaker competition. Promote Mangiapane to the 1st line and his production diminishes.

They suck anyway. I hope they find a way to bring back the whole team as it is and their over the hill out of answers coach.

I have a feeling Lucic won't be back...IMO he may retire. They have a huge decision to make over Tkachuk. Do they commit $70 to $80 million on a long term contract ? IMO, keep johnny if they can, move Tkachuk if they can get something decent. Mangiapane won't be too expensive yet. Maybe a two year deal for $4.5 per.

Gaudreau is a very good offensive player. Not strong in his defensive responsibility. Appears to have failed to pick up his check on the winning goal last night. My guess is Calgary will quietly let him walk.

Someone will likely pay him top money in the $8m+ range. Whoever pays out the big bucks will come to regret it soon enough.

Problem is not the initial load of a big dollar contract. The problem is term. It may be okay to pay a 28 year old underweight skater $8m. - $9m. Problem comes when you run the commitment through to age 35.

Some of these contract predictions makes me think it would be a good idea to check Evolving Hockey's contract projections to see how close or far off they are compared to the experts.

Evolving Hockey contract prediction for the 3 key Calgary players:

Player - Prediction - Average Prediction

Mangiapane 5 years @ $5.8M per, 5 years @ $5.8M per
Tkachuk 8 years @ $11M per, 6 years @ $10.4M per
Gaudreau 8 years @ $11.6M per, 7 years at $10.9M per

Gaudreau is a very good offensive player. Not strong in his defensive responsibility. Appears to have failed to pick up his check on the winning goal last night. My guess is Calgary will quietly let him walk.

Someone will likely pay him top money in the $8m+ range. Whoever pays out the big bucks will come to regret it soon enough.

Problem is not the initial load of a big dollar contract. The problem is term. It may be okay to pay a 28 year old underweight skater $8m. - $9m. Problem comes when you run the commitment through to age 35.
- spatso

He was a plus 64 or something like that. Sutter called him his best defensive forward at one point last season. He actually is strong defensively.

Suck it all offseason 1230.

Evolving Hockey contract prediction for the 3 key Calgary players:

Player - Prediction - Average Prediction

Mangiapane 5 years @ $5.8M per, 5 years @ $5.8M per
Tkachuk 8 years @ $11M per, 6 years @ $10.4M per
Gaudreau 8 years @ $11.6M per, 7 years at $10.9M per
- kingcong39

Ham & cheese

Ham & cheese
- glove_was_stuck

That's his bonus if he scores 40g

That's his bonus if he scores 40g
- eichiefs9

Gaudreau is a very good offensive player. Not strong in his defensive responsibility. Appears to have failed to pick up his check on the winning goal last night. My guess is Calgary will quietly let him walk.

Someone will likely pay him top money in the $8m+ range. Whoever pays out the big bucks will come to regret it soon enough.

Problem is not the initial load of a big dollar contract. The problem is term. It may be okay to pay a 28 year old underweight skater $8m. - $9m. Problem comes when you run the commitment through to age 35.
- spatso

8M for Gaudreau? Why would he sign a deal that cheap? Unless he takes a huge discount to stay in Calgary. Add a couple more mil at least.

- glove_was_stuck

There are only a few players in the league worth 10 million, Gaudreau isn't one of them.

Not sure why anyone thinks Johnny Hockey can’t play d. Not saying he is Stone or Bergeron, but defense is not a weakness.

There are only a few players in the league worth 10 million, Gaudreau isn't one of them.
- Reubenkincade

UFA is usually silly season....

Gaudreau is a very good offensive player. Not strong in his defensive responsibility. Appears to have failed to pick up his check on the winning goal last night. My guess is Calgary will quietly let him walk.

Someone will likely pay him top money in the $8m+ range. Whoever pays out the big bucks will come to regret it soon enough.

Problem is not the initial load of a big dollar contract. The problem is term. It may be okay to pay a 28 year old underweight skater $8m. - $9m. Problem comes when you run the commitment through to age 35.
- spatso

Evolving Hockey contract prediction for the 3 key Calgary players:

Player - Prediction - Average Prediction

Mangiapane 5 years @ $5.8M per, 5 years @ $5.8M per
Tkachuk 8 years @ $11M per, 6 years @ $10.4M per
Gaudreau 8 years @ $11.6M per, 7 years at $10.9M per
- kingcong39

That would be a good way to destroy Calgary's future.

They have a huge decision to make over Tkachuk. Do they commit $70 to $80 million on a long term contract ? IMO, keep johnny if they can, move Tkachuk if they can get something decent. Mangiapane won't be too expensive yet. Maybe a two year deal for $4.5 per.

My thoughts exactly! If StLou wants Matty, get Kyrou, Perunavich, and a 2nd for Matty and let them have te headache of signing him.

- glove_was_stuck

If Calgary somehow decides to keep Gaudreau, they won’t be able to bring back Magiapane and given the amount of ice-time Sutter gave Mangiapane maybe Sutter will chose to move on and trade him while his value is at its greatest…

Sutter will choose to move on and trade him? He's not the GM this time. He's just the coach.

Calgary just broke my bracket in the West.