Calgary Flames: Fasten your Seatbelt, it's Time to Make Some Decisions

 

The Flames have to make some decisions in the locker room as the UFA'S are climbing up, especially on the blue line: Travis Hamonic, Derek Forbert, Michael Stone, and TJ Brodie are free to test the market. So who do we keep and to who do say adieu?  

Travis Hamonic

I do not think we have much choice on this one; Travis is testing the market. I think he wants to be closer to home. I expect Hammer to sign in the Peg (Jets). The Flames are going to miss him, but I think he has run his course in Calgary. 

TJ Brodie

If the Flames can afford to keep him, I think they might. The problem is, I think TJ has priced himself out of the Calgary market. The Flames really need to keep one of these defencemen; I am hoping it's TJ.

Derek Fobert

He is what he is: a fifth or sixth defenceman. Manageable, but easily replaced. I suspect the Flames are planning to go young, so I am not expecting Fobert to come back. Strangers things have happened, though.

Michael Stone

Stone has no desire to come back and his services will no longer be required. I would be shocked if he signs here. However, he is feasible as a number seven. 

Last word 

The Flames are active, as we all have heard, looking for a new goalie. Expect them to be clearing space if they feel they can sign Hall. Fasten your seatbelt—I am expecting a fun ride. 

Randy

Flames pick the easy way: hire Ward back?

 

With the hiring of Geoff Ward back as the head coach, the Flames are signalling they do not want to put the moola into a coach. I will be honest: I wanted Laviolette, who took his act to Washington. With this hiring of Geoff Ward, it is thought that the Flames may not part with Gaudreau. Some people think that maybe the Flames Management thinks they are closer to winning the championship than most of us. 

I will say this; Ward brings with him a familiarity with the players. This move also gives the players confidence that the ownership is behind them. I mean, it might provide them with the chance to finish what they started—Management is showing that they liked what they saw in Ward. As I said earlier, the cynic in me thinks the Flames did not want to put the bucks into coaching.

Then there are the rumours the Flames are going after the Coyote goalie, Darcy Kuemper. Then Flames' goaltending troubles are well-known, as the meltdown in game six against the Stars exhibited. That might have ended the talks between Talbot and the Flames.  

Speaking of Gaudreau, there is some chatter that the Flames could go with all offence. Could the Flames fit Hall and Gaudreau? If that happens, Brodie and Hammer will be departing. I question the logic of keeping Monahan, Gaudreau, and Hall.  

Last word

The Flames would love Connor Mackey and Juuso Valimaki to step in now. They might just bring in a new goalie and sign a big name forward. They also have Kylington and Yelesin if they chose to use them. The point is, they may want to give the young legs a chance to run with the puck. Or should I say, skate with it.  

Randy

Brad Treliving: The Clock is Ticking

As we enter this wacky offseason, none of us know what to expect. Will we have fans or not? How long will the season be? Will it be another bubble season or will the teams be travelling? What we do know is that there is an NHL Draft scheduled for October 6th-7th. The Free Agent Frenzy was moved up to October 9th because the teams need something to do. Of course, I am being factious. I have no idea why they moved it up.

Some teams will be scrambling to stay under the cap. Others, like Montreal and Ottawa, will be opening up for business. The management of every team is trying to nail down what kind of team they want? I am not sure every team knew who they were, much less how to win a championship in this environment. If you don't know what kind of team you want, how can you expect success? 

Brad Treliving's future may be on the line. It is vital for the Flames to get this offseason right.  Brad Treliving: The Clock is Ticking

Flames management has to figure what kind of coach they want. Picking the right coach for the team is a process; that is why it is so vital for the Flames to come to a landing on this team's direction. 

Picking a coach will ultimately determine the fate of Gaudreau. In order for the Flames to make a decision on Gaudreau, the new coach's hiring process should be done or close to it. 

This offseason is short, so time is of the essence.   

Randy

 

Go, Johnny, Go—I Mean—Stay, Johnny, Stay!

The hottest topic among Flames fans at the moment is what the Flames will do with Johnny Gaudreau (who will be known as Johnny Hockey from now on.) It is almost like an election. Wait—this is not democracy. The Flames don't care what the fans want. Sometimes I think we would be better off if they did. But I digress. Back to the real focus of this blog.  

The Flames have been a colossal disappointment all season. We know that this core can't do what it takes to get us to the promised land. 

It is time for a change. This franchise has gone stagnant. Whether or not it is fair, Johnny Gaudreau is always under scrutiny. 

The Cons of Trading Johnny Gaudreau

Johnny is a very talented hockey player, and they don't grow on trees. Losing an arguably top-ten player can be catastrophic. Who will pick up the slack in the offence?

The second con is, how is this going to affect Monahan? Sometimes you have to worry about a player's ego and baby him a little. Monahan's season may even get worse without Gaudreau. Who is going to feed him the puck? Monahan stats will take it a hit. It will take him a while to get used to a new linemate. You have to consider moving Monahan, which could be a huge undertaking. 

The third con is that you are not going to get an equal trade. If a team gives you an equal left-winger, they will consider that a lateral move, meaning the trade will not improve their team. You know that the team will not be better after this trade.

The Pros of Trading Gaudreau

Johnny is the star of the team. He is the greatest bang for your buck. There is no doubt Johnny will get you the most significant return in a deal. You will get three assets back in a trade. The Flames need help in the prospect pool and help in the defensive core. They will get that and more in a trade involving Johnny. 

This team is in dire need of a shakeup. There is no greater shakeup than trading the star of the team. The Flames lack an identity; it's time to remedy that. They are only as good as their best star, and he is not getting it done. It might not be fair, but when things go wrong, the star gets the blame. It is a fact of life, just like death and taxes. 

Last word

One thing is for sure—the Flames need a change. Tinkering is just not going to cut it. I would love to see a total rebuild. I know that will never happen, so that I will settle for a retool. 

Randy