Speculation: Armchair GM 2024-25 Season, Craig Conroy's Can Do Calgary Flames

[Siignal]

Absolutely fine with keeping Ras if the right deal isn’t out there. That being said if you’re going to trade him you do it this deadline, not as a rental next season. You’re going to get a fair bit more value out of him that way

We’re going to be floating around a wild card though so they’ll keep him and then next year we’ll suck and they’ll trade him for the 27th overall pick and some dude who will never play a game in the NHL

If we trade him sooner than later, we won't be floating around a wild card

 

[violaswallet]

I'd rather re-sign Ras and make him the next captain than trade him for lottery tickets.

Also, if we do trade him, the better option would be to find a team that's a bubble team wanting to add someone for 2 years w/ hopes of re-signing him. This would net us a better 1st round pick this year, and usually if they get protected, the following year is unprotected *like our Vegas pick)

I think the Sergachev trade could work as a template, and ironically I think Utah would be a good trade partner. Maybe something like (this is also why I wouldn't want to trade him):

TO ​	TO ​
D - Rasmus Andersson	1st in 2025 (top 8 protected, or else unprotected 2026)
.	LW - Egpr Sokolov
.	D - Michael Kesselring

Florida fan here: I wanted to pitch this trade

2026 first (unprotected), D Uvis Balinskis, F Mackie Samoskevich (Our best young forward, 2021 first round pick)

Would that be competitive for Ras at 50%?

 

[crackdown44]

Florida fan here: I wanted to pitch this trade

2026 first (unprotected), D Uvis Balinskis, F Mackie Samoskevich (Our best young forward, 2021 first round pick)

Would that be competitive for Ras at 50%?

Would be rather enticing as that would give us 3 unprotected firsts in 2026 but I feel like a team like Buffalo or Detroit would be in the mix with a higher first and likely a better prospect than Samoskevich

 

[Lunatik]

Florida fan here: I wanted to pitch this trade

2026 first (unprotected), D Uvis Balinskis, F Mackie Samoskevich (Our best young forward, 2021 first round pick)

Would that be competitive for Ras at 50%?

@50%? No probably not. Even if I compare it to the Utah suggestion, the difference between their 1st and yours is greater than the difference between Samoskevich and Sokolov. Honestly I'd Samoskevich replaced with Knight, as the idea of a Wolf/Knight tandem for the next decade makes my sweatpants tight in the front.

Would be rather enticing as that would give us 3 unprotected firsts in 2026 but I feel like a team like Buffalo or Detroit would be in the mix with a higher first and likely a better prospect than Samoskevich

even Dallas could offer a better prospect, and a similar pick.

 

[Figgy44]

Florida fan here: I wanted to pitch this trade

2026 first (unprotected), D Uvis Balinskis, F Mackie Samoskevich (Our best young forward, 2021 first round pick)

Would that be competitive for Ras at 50%?

If we were listening in on offers for Ras... competitive, probably no. But there's some interesting components in the idea, so lines would still be open.

Two names I assume we'd hope to add to the talks, Knight (mentioned) and perhaps Lundell. I'd assume with those names added to the fray, both sides pause and say, "I'll have to think about it, I'll call you back."

It's not guaranteed a trade will transpire, but Calgary and Florida seem to have a good relationship, so I assume that no matter what, they'd at least make a little time to listen to what the other side has to say.

 

[Kranix]

“There is a reason,” said one NHL owner, “that I’m a control freak.”

Of course everyone's already forgotten the whole Bishop non-trade incident where Treliving thought he had a deal but needed King/Edwards permission but couldn't get a hold of them in time. Or how one of Treliving's caveats for re-signing here back in 2017 was that he'd have greater autonomy.



But people are confusing two different things. Yes, Treliving was a pretty bad and impatient GM. But Murray Edwards seems to like those kind of GM's quite bit.

But it's frankly naive to think every or even most billionaires are buying professional sports and then just sitting back twiddling their thumbs as if they suddenly stopped being massive control freaks.



Just a hands off owner totally not involved in hockey operations whatsoever

"It was a team effort to always be as shortsighted as possible"



Oh wow what a shocker, Edwards was desperate not to retool. How utterly unbelievable. It's just so surprising. Totally out of character. He seemed so normal and so on and

Edwards preferring to keep a 50 win team in win-now mode doesn't mean he was desperate not to retool.
A gm having to get sign-off on trades from the president of hockey ops doesn't equal meddling owner.

 

[violaswallet]

If we were listening in on offers for Ras... competitive, probably no. But there's some interesting components in the idea, so lines would still be open.

Two names I assume we'd hope to add to the talks, Knight (mentioned) and perhaps Lundell. I'd assume with those names added to the fray, both sides pause and say, "I'll have to think about it, I'll call you back."

It's not guaranteed a trade will transpire, but Calgary and Florida seem to have a good relationship, so I assume that no matter what, they'd at least make a little time to listen to what the other side has to say.

Knight would be the on table from my perspective, assuming you'd send Vladar back.

Like 1st+Knight+UB for Vladar+RA

would be super appealing for us. From the Ps perspective, we are in win now mode this year and next, so giving up Knight's potential while Bob is still king is worth it for a legitimate top 4 D that can play first unit PP>


I'm kind of surprised you prefer Knight to Samo to be honest

 

[Figgy44]

Knight would be the on table from my perspective, assuming you'd send Vladar back.

Like 1st+Knight+UB for Vladar+RA

would be super appealing for us. From the Ps perspective, we are in win now mode this year and next, so giving up Knight's potential while Bob is still king is worth it for a legitimate top 4 D that can play first unit PP>


I'm kind of surprised you prefer Knight to Samo to be honest

I don't know if that's enough to consummate the deal, but I think it's closer. Does taking Knight over Samoskevich means no or less salary retention?

I think Calgary has many pieces that would highly interest the Panthers and vice versa. The main consideration is if the players are willing to move and if the orgs would be willing to pay the price on each and take on certain gambles.

I get your thinking on Samoskevich vs Knight, but it's more of a positional need premium sort of thing. With Coronato and Gridin, we might be OK on the right side longer term. Our primary gaps are still a young centre (top 9) and a longer term plan on how to address supporting Wolf as the starter which we don't have anything right now. That's why those two names from the Panthers would be inquired about. It'd suck losing pieces there for the Panthers, but they have enough elsewhere to make up for it, vs Calgary's plan in a few spots on their roster right now is to hope for the best.

Because of that, leaning towards someone like Knight and pairing him up with Wolf and preemptively locking them up as dual 1As long term before the totally explode (let's say 5 mil each for 6+ years), that might be huge for Calgary. It also puts both guys in a rare situation where they can support each other vs be concerned either guy is gunning for the other. I think Knight knows this in that pushing too hard can bring on undesirable mental health concerns and in a tandem with Wolf, he wouldn't be fighting to show he should be allowed to nab a few games from Bob.

Also, our goalie pipeline is brutal right now (Cooley and Ignatjew in the AHL). As much as I like Cooley, we barely have enough options to reliably fill our AHL situation, let alone know what to do if we need a call up for the NHL level. I think we'd have to sign someone if one of Cooley, Vladar or Wolf ended up with an injury for more than a few weeks.

 

[Kahvi]

Andersson @50% has crazy high value for a contender. You'd get a top pairing RD for one playoff run and another full season for $2,25M.

 

[Tkachuk Norris]

Knight would be the on table from my perspective, assuming you'd send Vladar back.

Like 1st+Knight+UB for Vladar+RA

would be super appealing for us. From the Ps perspective, we are in win now mode this year and next, so giving up Knight's potential while Bob is still king is worth it for a legitimate top 4 D that can play first unit PP>


I'm kind of surprised you prefer Knight to Samo to be honest

Easily Samoskevich for me. Knight isn’t needed here.

 

[Lunatik]

Andersson @50% has crazy high value for a contender. You'd get a top pairing RD for one playoff run and another full season for $2,25M.

Indeed. I also think that a wannabe contender needing to get over the top may be willing to pay more than Florida or Dallas, as they'll need cost controlled players beyond next season.

If he's moved (I honestly don't think he will), I think Detroit, Ottawa, Buffalo and Utah will be the teams willing to pay the most.

Also, to tie up a 2nd retention spot next year, I think it'd have to be a hell of a deal like the Markstrom trade.

 

[Figgy44]

Easily Samoskevich for me. Knight isn’t needed here.

I don't agree Knight isn't needed, but I don't have an issue with you wanting Samoskevich over Knight.

I just feel like if we had someone like Knight in the org, it wouldn't affect Wolf and Conroy could focus on trying to get the C we need.

 

[Flames Fanatic]

Indeed. I also think that a wannabe contender needing to get over the top may be willing to pay more than Florida or Dallas, as they'll need cost controlled players beyond next season.

If he's moved (I honestly don't think he will), I think Detroit, Ottawa, Buffalo and Utah will be the teams willing to pay the most.

Also, to tie up a 2nd retention spot next year, I think it'd have to be a hell of a deal like the Markstrom trade.

I think Dallas makes a LOT of sense. Tons of young guys, desperately trying to get over the playoff hump, he fits their core age group pretty well.

 

[Lunatik]

I think Dallas makes a LOT of sense. Tons of young guys, desperately trying to get over the playoff hump, he fits their core age group pretty well.

Let's be honest, with his age, contract and ability, he's a good fit for probably 20+ teams lol. I just think teams that are trying to get into the playoffs the next couple years might be willing to pay more. But Dallas should absolutely be calling.

I could realistically see a deal like Andersson & Kuzmenko for 1st in 2025, 2nd in 2026, Bourque and Dumba (the second is for a combination taking Dumba's contract and Kuzmenko).

I will also make sure to reiterate, I do not want to trade Ras, I want to re-sign him.

 

[Tkachuk Norris]

I’d say Vancouver again for Ras.

Lekkerimsku + First/Hoglander

Or Buffalo for something around Helenius +

 

[Lunatik]

I’d say Vancouver again for Ras.

Lekkerimsku + First/Hoglander

Or Buffalo for something around Helenius +

What about Nashville?I really don't think they're going to sell, they have 3 first rounders and Yegor Surin might be a nice target.

 

[Figgy44]

What about Nashville?I really don't think they're going to sell, they have 3 first rounders and Yegor Surin might be a nice target.

Not a contender though. Expected to be sellers.

What about the Canes? Look like RD could use boost. Anyone worth targeting?

 

[Lunatik]

Not a contender though. Expected to be sellers.

What about the Canes? Look like RD could use boost. Anyone worth targeting?

The Preds have no one to sell, everyone is signed beyond this year other than Nyquist, if you add guys with an additional year, it only add Schenn, Lauzon and Scissons. Management has backed them into a position where they have no choice but to try and right the ship

 

[Fjordy]

Or Buffalo for something around Helenius +

As a fan Buffalo I would suggest:

Kulich + Jokiharju

or

Ostlund + Jokiharju + 1st

 

[Ledge And Dairy]

I’d say Vancouver again for Ras.

Lekkerimsku + First/Hoglander

Or Buffalo for something around Helenius +

Buffalo doesn't need more offense on their blue line. They are a prime target for someone like Trouba though. I could see a swap of Samuelsson and Trouba being a thing

 

[Ledge And Dairy]

Not a contender though. Expected to be sellers.

What about the Canes? Look like RD could use boost. Anyone worth targeting?

Nashville are not expected to be sellers lol. Their entire roster is expensive 30+ guys with long term deals and U23 kids. They also have 2 1sts this year that aren't their own. The only guys they could potentially move this year are Nyqvist and Sissons. Sure they aren't in the rental market but I would be shocked if they aren't eying someone like Ras to boost their blue line

 

[Siignal]

Are there assumptions to be made about Vladar's 3 starts in a row while Wolf is hot? Feels like Georgiev could be coming our way

 

[Lunatik]

Are there assumptions to be made about Vladar's 3 starts in a row while Wolf is hot? Feels like Georgiev could be coming our way

No

Game 1 for Vladar, was the 2nd half of a B2B
Game 2 for V;ladar, saw Wolf under the weather and missed his start
Game 3 for Vladar, the previous games shutout earned him that start

Nashville are not expected to be sellers lol. Their entire roster is expensive 30+ guys with long term deals and U23 kids. They also have 2 1sts this year that aren't their own. The only guys they could potentially move this year are Nyqvist and Sissons. Sure they aren't in the rental market but I would be shocked if they aren't eying someone like Ras to boost their blue line

People are expecting it because Trotz literally said they'd rebuild if they don't turn it around. Now don't het me wrong, I think he was just trying to light a fire under the team, but you can't fault people for thinking it could happen

 

[Figgy44]

Nashville are not expected to be sellers lol. Their entire roster is expensive 30+ guys with long term deals and U23 kids. They also have 2 1sts this year that aren't their own. The only guys they could potentially move this year are Nyqvist and Sissons. Sure they aren't in the rental market but I would be shocked if they aren't eying someone like Ras to boost their blue line

Hmm... vs what Trotz has been saying, I guess Nashville could technically go in either direction of buying or selling.

Are there assumptions to be made about Vladar's 3 starts in a row while Wolf is hot? Feels like Georgiev could be coming our way

It was mentioned in the last two games that Wolf is a little under the weather.

 

[Siignal]

Hmm... vs what Trotz has been saying, I guess Nashville could technically go in either direction of buying or selling.



It was mentioned in the last two games that Wolf is a little under the weather.

ah thanks. I can't watch the games bc Europe