Dumpster Fire

 

I was just going to leave asterisks in the title and let you use your imaginations. I was going to call it 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover. In essence, ways for the Flames to part ways with their core. 

Then I said to myself I have to be professional. Wait—I really don't have to. Hence the title Dumpster Fire.

I understand everyone's frustration, but leaving the team in Edmonton is too cruel. No one deserves that. But I digress; what can be done? First of all, you have to go about this logically. Trading players away just for the sake of trading them is not going to work. Secondly, the knee jerk method "fire everyone" can't automatically be put into action. Even though I feel that cleaning house is the best option, I do not think the Flames will use it.

The team must also figure out whether to retool or rebuild.   

Here is a quote coming from an avid Flames fan on what the Flames need:

"The GM failed big time in getting a number one goalie and, more important, an elite coach."

I concur with that, and I also feel the team has failed in getting a number one centre. 

Johnny Gaudreau 

Again, people, I can't use that kind of language in my blog! 

Johnny has two years left in his deal. He is Calgary's best bargaining chip. He has one of the best contracts in the NHL. Love him, or hate him; everyone knows he is worth more than $6.75 million. Johnny Gaudreau is good for nearly a point a game All selling points if you put him on the market.  

Sean Monahan 

Sean is a second-line centre who will get you 60 to 70 points a season. Known for his quick release, especially his wrister. Of course, he is the Flames' number one centre and they will want the first-line centre package in return. No chance they get it. The better option might be to hang on to him and keep him as a second-line centre.  

Here is another quote from a fan, a thought I think is running rampant among Flames fans. 

"Why are we talking dumping Monahan or Gaudreau? The Flames should dump them both disappear during the playoffs anyways. He says, "The Flames should start looking at players who perform in the playoffs who know how to win." 

 

There are some good assets to hang onto. Among the forwards, of course, we have Matthew Tkachuk, Dillon Dube, the bead man Andrew Mangiapane. Of course, the biggest is Sam Bennett, who raised his stock considerably. To a lesser degree, Elias Lingholm and Mickael Backlund. There is hope from the farm, left wing Jakob Pelletier and centre Martin Pospisil, who could be traded if it really meant bringing in a player. I would prefer that the Flames do not go that route, and hang onto the prospects. 

Goaltending Woes

Everyone knows the Flames have two number two quality backups. The problem is trying to find a number one in the market. The talk of the town is the late-round pick, Dustin Wolf. His lateral movement is bar none. He fights through screens and follows the puck well. Dustin is still a few years away, though. Find out more on our goalie panel blog. 

The two most prominent names in the goalie market are Lehner and Holtby.

The defense is stable enough, with Rasmus Andersson getting ready to take over the number one position. Juuso Valimaki will be healthy and should be able to take one of the spots. Hannifin has to improve. If the Flames chose to let Hammer and Brodie go, Kylington and Yeltsin will be in the picture. 

We do have some exciting prospects in the future. Connor Mackey and Colton Poolman have tons of potential. 

And there are many challenges in trying to find a player who knows how to win and a number one goalie. Yeah, good luck.

Randy