Speculation: Armchair GM 2023-24 Season. If we can't say "Rebuild" what do we call it?

[Volica]

What the f*** is Buffalo doing?

I don’t think they even know at this point.
Also, is Conny asleep at the wheel here? These are the types of trades we need to be making.

 

[User1996]

I don’t think they even know at this point.
Also, is Conny asleep at the wheel here? These are the types of trades we need to be making

Buffalo was clearly targeting a player fitting the age of their core who could fill a C position.

There is not a player on this roster that fits that description that Conroy should have been willing to move for Savoie.

Sometimes there just aren’t deals to be made.

 

[Mobiandi]

Sabres fans speculating Krebs is next out. Could be interesting to get another hometown guy

 

[Tkachuk Norris]

I like Edmonton’s moves in a vacuum. But they are giving away both forwards they had (Foegele and McCleod) that actually got in on the forecheck. It’ll be interesting to see how it plays out.

 

[Lunatik]

I like Edmonton’s moves in a vacuum. But they are giving away both forwards they had (Foegele and McCleod) that actually got in on the forecheck. It’ll be interesting to see how it plays out.

Skinner w/ McDavid could be scary good. Dude has 90+ goals the last 3 seasons and hasn't played with anyone that can create scoring chances for linemates anywhere in McDavid's galaxy... I wouldn't be shocked if he scored 40 again. Arvidsson w/ Drai could be really good too.

 

[JPeeper]

Sabres fans speculating Krebs is next out. Could be interesting to get another hometown guy

So Buffalo coveted Krebs over any of the Flames prospects when we were trying to get Eichel, and now they've given up on him. Flames should be competing for Cups with Gaudreau-Eichel-Chucky as our top line, but nope, back to re-building.

Flames will get out of our re-build in 2028 and Buffalo will in re-build v3.5.1001

 

[Lunatik]

Sabres fans speculating Krebs is next out. Could be interesting to get another hometown guy

I'd love to take a flyer on Krebs

 

[Mobiandi]

So Buffalo coveted Krebs over any of the Flames prospects when we were trying to get Eichel, and now they've given up on him. Flames should be competing for Cups with Gaudreau-Eichel-Chucky as our top line, but nope, back to re-building.

Flames will get out of our re-build in 2028 and Buffalo will in re-build v3.5.1001

Same story with Stone and Brannstrom (even though the Sens were supposedly asking for Andersson+Valimaki from us). Teams get tunnel vision on supposed blue-chip prospects and then can’t develop them.

 

[Volica]

So Buffalo coveted Krebs over any of the Flames prospects when we were trying to get Eichel, and now they've given up on him. Flames should be competing for Cups with Gaudreau-Eichel-Chucky as our top line, but nope, back to re-building.

Flames will get out of our re-build in 2028 and Buffalo will in re-build v3.5.1001

Just the most Flames type of luck.
Honestly, if I were Conroy I'd try my hand at Krebs. He's clearly a player, he seems to have just stalled.

This is the problem when you rebuild with nothing around; you're asking like 26 year old dudes to mentor 18-23 year old men. Meanwhile the 26 year old guy himself was mentored by a 25 year old 6 years ago, and by some 31 journeyman. Hence why I'm still very much a proponent of keeping some of the higher end talent we have around until the last minute. When you're learning from losers about becoming a winner, it's a vicious cycle.

It's really too bad all of our vets that could look good for the Sabres (Kadri, Coleman, Andersson) all have NMC/NTC's and clearly Buffalo would squarely land on likely all lists.

 

[Figgy44]

After the Savoie trade, how how much would we have to add to Rooney for Buffalo to listen in on Krebs?

 

[DomBarr]

Krebs is the prototypical Calgary Flame center which is to say more 2 way than top 6. The Flames are inundated with young centers just like him.
Savoie was an intriguing target for me because his ceiling was a true #1 center.

 

[Volica]

Some rounds on Flames X about taking bad contracts.
The Isles were mentioned.

 

[Double Dion]

Sabres fans speculating Krebs is next out. Could be interesting to get another hometown guy

I've had interest in Krebs for a long time. If he's available we should be all over it. He was lowkey one of the best defensive centers in the league this year. Under 2GA/60. That's Backlund territory when adjusted for Backlund's tougher competition, better than him when it isn't.

He's also only 23.

 

[DomBarr]

I was listening to 960 yesterday and they kept on going on about how young players will be in tough because Calgary currently has 9 top 9 forwards. I do disagree in that I think we have 12 bottom 9 forwards and no top line forwards but regardless it leads me to think that there is a trade or 2 that has been requested but not made yet because the line up doesn't make sense as is.
Locked in
Huberdeau/?/Mantha
?/Kadri/?
?/Backlund/Coleman
Lomberg/Rooney/OPEN

to fill out the ? marks who right now deserve to be the incumbents
Zary
Pospisil
Kuzmenko
Sharangovich

That leaves the 4th line RW slot available to compete for which actually does nothing for Pelletier or Coronato as they should be in a position to play with higher skill players
It just highlights that the Mantha signing doesn't really make sense unless one or both of Kuzmenko or Coleman are not on the opening roster.

 

[Zirakzigil]

I was listening to 960 yesterday and they kept on going on about how young players will be in tough because Calgary currently has 9 top 9 forwards. I do disagree in that I think we have 12 bottom 9 forwards and no top line forwards but regardless it leads me to think that there is a trade or 2 that has been requested but not made yet because the line up doesn't make sense as is.
Locked in
Huberdeau/?/Mantha
?/Kadri/?
?/Backlund/Coleman
Lomberg/Rooney/OPEN

to fill out the ? marks who right now deserve to be the incumbents
Zary
Pospisil
Kuzmenko
Sharangovich

That leaves the 4th line RW slot available to compete for which actually does nothing for Pelletier or Coronato as they should be in a position to play with higher skill players
It just highlights that the Mantha signing doesn't really make sense unless one or both of Kuzmenko or Coleman are not on the opening roster.

I stated this at the time of the signing. Trading Mang should of opened a slot on Backs wing for Pelletier or possibly Coronato. Now that they have Mantha theres no room.

 

[User1996]

I stated this at the time of the signing. Trading Mang should have opened a slot on Backs wing for Pelletier or possibly Coronato. Now that they have Mantha theres no room.

It’s probably as simple as having Pospisil at C over Rooney.

 

[Zirakzigil]

It’s probably as simple as having Pospisil at C over Rooney.

Still doesnt leave room for both Coronato and Pelletier.

 

[DomBarr]

It’s probably as simple as having Pospisil at C over Rooney.

moving Pospisil to 4th line center doesn't work either, he showed that he is a really effective player to have on a scoring line and the WC showed there may be more upside to unlock. It makes no sense to stifle it by putting him on the 4th line.
That would be the same as putting Coronato or Pelletier as 4th line RW.

The forward roster as built doesn't make any sense at all. IF the Flames are continuing with the idea that they want their young players to actually be able to compete for roster spots. Unless you remove Kuzmenko and/or Coleman then its actually falls into place.

 

[Some Other Flame]

Pelletier is no longer waiver exempt. Barring an injury, he's guaranteed a spot on the main roster.

Some variation of:

Sharangovich-Kadri-Kuzmenko
Huberdeau-Zary-Mantha
Coleman-Backlund-Coronato
Pelletier-Pospisil-Lomberg

With Rooney and Hunt being the extras.

That the Flames already had too many wingers is not new. That's a tale as old as time. But they can make it work until vets are moved at the deadline, or if there's injuries. Though it'll likely require Conroy stepping in and forcing Huska's hand again, like he did with Sharangovich last year. Otherwise Huska's just gonna play Hunt and Rooney as much as he can.

Conroy might just have to waive Hunt &/or Rooney to take Huska's favourite toys away.

 

[Ace Rimmer]

I was listening to 960 yesterday and they kept on going on about how young players will be in tough because Calgary currently has 9 top 9 forwards. I do disagree in that I think we have 12 bottom 9 forwards and no top line forwards but regardless it leads me to think that there is a trade or 2 that has been requested but not made yet because the line up doesn't make sense as is.
Locked in
Huberdeau/?/Mantha
?/Kadri/?
?/Backlund/Coleman
Lomberg/Rooney/OPEN

to fill out the ? marks who right now deserve to be the incumbents
Zary
Pospisil
Kuzmenko
Sharangovich

That leaves the 4th line RW slot available to compete for which actually does nothing for Pelletier or Coronato as they should be in a position to play with higher skill players
It just highlights that the Mantha signing doesn't really make sense unless one or both of Kuzmenko or Coleman are not on the opening roster.

Roll 4 lines. Simple as that. Rotate guys into high roles as needed but no need to rush them.

Keep in mind Mantha Kuzmenko and Backlund are all gone by the TDL. Plans extend beyond this season after all.

 

[Lunatik]

Some rounds on Flames X about taking bad contracts.
The Isles were mentioned.

Pageau is probably the guy if true... also Wahlstrom seems like 100% a Conroy type target

Roll 4 lines. Simple as that. Rotate guys into high roles as needed but no need to rush them.

Keep in mind Mantha Kuzmenko and Backlund are all gone by the TDL. Plans extend beyond this season after all.

I think Backs plays out this year and is next years ('26) big rental

 

[User1996]

Still doesnt leave room for both Coronato and Pelletier.

I mean, it does. If you can get past the idea that a starting a player in the labeled 4th isn’t the worst idea, so long as they aren’t surrounded by wasted roster spots there.

moving Pospisil to 4th line center doesn't work either, he showed that he is a really effective player to have on a scoring line and the WC showed there may be more upside to unlock. It makes no sense to stifle it by putting him on the 4th line.
That would be the same as putting Coronato or Pelletier as 4th line RW.

The forward roster as built doesn't make any sense at all. IF the Flames are continuing with the idea that they want their young players to actually be able to compete for roster spots. Unless you remove Kuzmenko and/or Coleman then its actually falls into place.

Again, it’s an antiquated idea that a 4th line needs to house your PK’ers and grit type players. Intoducing Pospisil to being an NHL C there addresses a few key concerns.

1. Trying to develop another under 25 C, in an organization that is notably weak there. You hope he can become a solid 3C going forward.
2. Pushing Rooney out opens up two regular lineup spots for Pelletier and Coronato.
3. Typically with the Flames, whichever of Pelletier/Coronato need to start on that 4th line would be forced to play with borderline NHL players (if they’re lucky). See Sam Bennett. Lomberg/Hunt, Pospisil, Pelletier/Coronato at least has some offensive ability.

 

[Mobiandi]

Losing Pelletier really isn’t a big deal

 

[Some Other Flame]

Losing Pelletier really isn’t a big deal

Even if Pelletier tops out as a third line role player, it'd still be piss poor management to lose him just to keep a Rooney or Hunt on the roster.

 

[joescores]

Pelletier is no longer waiver exempt. Barring an injury, he's guaranteed a spot on the main roster.

Some variation of:

Sharangovich-Kadri-Kuzmenko
Huberdeau-Zary-Mantha
Coleman-Backlund-Coronato
Pelletier-Pospisil-Lomberg

With Rooney and Hunt being the extras.

That the Flames already had too many wingers is not new. That's a tale as old as time. But they can make it work until vets are moved at the deadline, or if there's injuries. Though it'll likely require Conroy stepping in and forcing Huska's hand again, like he did with Sharangovich last year. Otherwise Huska's just gonna play Hunt and Rooney as much as he can.

Conroy might just have to waive Hunt &/or Rooney to take Huska's favourite toys away.

That Rooney signing though