“There are many Calgary Flames fans who are starved for a rebuild, mostly to move on from mediocrity and one day have a team that can be taken seriously as a
contender. But some fans are just as inquisitive about how much they actually work. Early performances, whether collectively or individually, put the Flames behind in
the standings. So, what now after picking up points in Toronto and Montreal and at home against Vancouver? Was calling up all those young players the right move? Is
this roster good enough to emulate what teams like Florida, St. Louis and Los Angeles have done in the past?
Alternatively, is the value going up on their tradeable assets? The Flames still have ways to go to prove that the roster as currently constructed isn’t due for a shakeup.
Those last few questions will be answered in time.The mailbag is on a much tighter schedule.
Note: Submitted questions may be edited for clarity and style.
With the Flames likely headed for a rebuild, do you see any realistic scenario where they could trade some of their bigger contracts (Huberdeau, Kadri,Weegar, Markstrom)? And if so,what would a trade involving those players look like? And with whom? — Tom B.
I don’t think a trade involving any of the players you mentioned can start without some sort of salary retention. Even for Nazem Kadri, who reportedly isn’t interested in
staying on a rebuilding team.In the case of Jonathan Huberdeau’s contract, you might even have to throw a draft pick or another prospect as a sweetener to get someone
to take it.That’s got to be a no-go for the Flames as they’re trying to reconfigure the roster.
At this moment,I think the Flames are better off continuing to add younger, better players around the expensive core.It’s worked out for Kadri so far with Connor Zary.
Huberdeau’s confidence, however, is still in need of a boost.I think trading for a player who could help on offence, possibly through one of the team’s expiring contracts,
is a way to rectify that issue. But keeping him on a line with Mikael Backlund is what I’d do for now. Meanwhile, Jacob Markstrom has been far from the problem in
Calgary and MacKenzie Weegar hasn’t been an issue, either.
Stranger things have happened, but I’d be very surprised if any of those four players were shipped out this season. You’re better off focusing on pending UFAs and
tradeable contracts. Rebuilding/retooling teams have done it before.
Hey Julian. Could you maybe provide a possible pro and con on what a rebuild may potentially look like versus sticking with this core group (maybe even signing
the pending UFAs) and trying to get the current team going with just minor tweaks? Thanks so much! — Jeff B.
Let’s present both sides while accounting for good and bad things in either case.
If the Flames keep, or even extend, their upcoming UFAs by the trade deadline, they firmly lock themselves as playoff aspirants.The good news is that the Flames
probably do this if the team is comfortably in a playoff spot or has somehow ensured management that the playoffs are a realistic target.The thing is, if they haven’t
signed those players entering the offseason, there is no guarantee that they all re-sign and they risk losing them for nothing as free agents. However, in a world where
most, if not all, have been re-signed, the Flames run the risk of missing the boat again on retooling.”
itwasthedingo
Yes. In February/March but he won’t be good until next year.
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Read in:
“There are many Calgary Flames fans who are starved for a rebuild, mostly to move on from mediocrity and one day have a team that can be taken seriously as a
contender. But some fans are just as inquisitive about how much they actually work. Early performances, whether collectively or individually, put the Flames behind in
the standings. So, what now after picking up points in Toronto and Montreal and at home against Vancouver? Was calling up all those young players the right move? Is
this roster good enough to emulate what teams like Florida, St. Louis and Los Angeles have done in the past?
Alternatively, is the value going up on their tradeable assets? The Flames still have ways to go to prove that the roster as currently constructed isn’t due for a shakeup.
Those last few questions will be answered in time.The mailbag is on a much tighter schedule.
Note: Submitted questions may be edited for clarity and style.
With the Flames likely headed for a rebuild, do you see any realistic scenario where they could trade some of their bigger contracts (Huberdeau, Kadri,Weegar, Markstrom)? And if so,what would a trade involving those players look like? And with whom? — Tom B.
I don’t think a trade involving any of the players you mentioned can start without some sort of salary retention. Even for Nazem Kadri, who reportedly isn’t interested in
staying on a rebuilding team.In the case of Jonathan Huberdeau’s contract, you might even have to throw a draft pick or another prospect as a sweetener to get someone
to take it.That’s got to be a no-go for the Flames as they’re trying to reconfigure the roster.
At this moment,I think the Flames are better off continuing to add younger, better players around the expensive core.It’s worked out for Kadri so far with Connor Zary.
Huberdeau’s confidence, however, is still in need of a boost.I think trading for a player who could help on offence, possibly through one of the team’s expiring contracts,
is a way to rectify that issue. But keeping him on a line with Mikael Backlund is what I’d do for now. Meanwhile, Jacob Markstrom has been far from the problem in
Calgary and MacKenzie Weegar hasn’t been an issue, either.
Stranger things have happened, but I’d be very surprised if any of those four players were shipped out this season. You’re better off focusing on pending UFAs and
tradeable contracts. Rebuilding/retooling teams have done it before.
Hey Julian. Could you maybe provide a possible pro and con on what a rebuild may potentially look like versus sticking with this core group (maybe even signing
the pending UFAs) and trying to get the current team going with just minor tweaks? Thanks so much! — Jeff B.
Let’s present both sides while accounting for good and bad things in either case.
If the Flames keep, or even extend, their upcoming UFAs by the trade deadline, they firmly lock themselves as playoff aspirants.The good news is that the Flames
probably do this if the team is comfortably in a playoff spot or has somehow ensured management that the playoffs are a realistic target.The thing is, if they haven’t
signed those players entering the offseason, there is no guarantee that they all re-sign and they risk losing them for nothing as free agents. However, in a world where
most, if not all, have been re-signed, the Flames run the risk of missing the boat again on retooling.”
Yes. In February/March but he won’t be good until next year.