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

[MM917]

Connor zary has 39 points in 68 NHL games and has shown very little in his game at any level to get excited about and people are talking about 6 x 6? That is nuts.

Don't you need at least one decent season in the NHL or even AHL to get overpaid anymore?

 

[Ledge And Dairy]

Your name means nothing. Perfect for a role where you offer the opposition NOTHING!



What about a 6x6? Balance the risk vs reward.

Nah get him locked up before his value goes up any higher.

Connor zary has 39 points in 68 NHL games and has shown very little in his game at any level to get excited about and people are talking about 6 x 6? That is nuts.

Don't you need at least one decent season in the NHL or even AHL to get overpaid anymore?

75 IQ take

 

[MM917]

Nah get him locked up before his value goes up any higher.

By that logic lets just overpay anyone we have, LOL

75 IQ take

No its the truth, nothing in my post is a "take" just facts.

 

[Some Other Flame]

What about a 6x6? Balance the risk vs reward.

That'd be the absolute worst choice they could make. Makes him an UFA at 29 right in the midst of the Flames (expected) resurgence. Now they're forced to either re-sign him longterm for maximum dollars to cover the declining years of his career or lose him for nothing in free agency. It's literally what they did with Gaudreau and look how that burnt them.

A 2 or 3 year bridge followed by an 8 year deal is better because at least you've got the potential to keep a key piece for the entirety of their prime. But it's also assiduously poor cap management, which is why it's what the Flames will most likely do. Never seen an organization more resistant to understanding the very basics of cap management than this one.

Smartest thing is just to literally follow the rest of the league and lock up your talent to 8 year deals as soon as possible. Might be a slight overpayment in the first couple of years but it's evened out by having a bargain when it matters the most, i.e., as the Flames are trying to win the cup.

Of course, there's no rush at the moment. Wait and see how the year goes. If he puts up 60+ points, it should be an absolute no brainer to lock him for the full 8 years because even if he doesn't keep getting better, 7-8M is still fair value.

 

[Ledge And Dairy]

By that logic lets just overpay anyone we have, LOL



No its the truth, nothing in my post is a "take" just facts.

I'm sure Utah is really regretting that Guenther contract

 

[MM917]

I'm sure Utah is really regretting that Guenther contract

Guenther was a top 10 pick, top level junior player and looked much better in the NHL while being 2 years younger. They probably aren't regretting it at all but it has nothing to do with Zary.

 

[RasmusAndersson]

The wins have been fun & the team looks good, but I fully do not expect to make the playoffs.
This is what I have been worried about since XMas last year. We're going to finish around 12th and end up giving a great pick away. A pick which would have been a great chance to get our biggest need for the longest time. Even more so if we just embraced the tank.
The only add I want to see is a cap dump and pick added.

I just wish we could have used Lindholm, Hanifin & Tanev to have landed a young C
Lundell would have been a great target - look how he's doing with his chance.

We were never getting a young top-6C in the making like Lundell for a rental. That was just a pipe dream.

And I don’t get how people think we didn’t embrace the rebuild. We sold 6 established vets over the past 10ish months and accumulated tons of picks and prospects and completely restocked our cupboard. That is the definition of a rebuild. Sure it’s not a scorched earth tank, but it’s actually pretty close. I can’t even think of another team who sold off 3 top-4 dmen, two top-6 forwards, and a good starting goalie in one calendar year.

We just need to put our assets towards finding one or two top-6 C’s now. But we need to be realistic and understand that legit guys like Lundell aren’t available for rentals. We also can’t play to lose, and we don’t have many more pieces to sell. We just have to be patient now and continue to accumulate picks and prospects, and then eventually use those many picks and prospects as ammo to find those C’s over the next few years. That’s the right way to build a contender imo, and Conroy gets it.

 

[FLAMESFAN]

We were never getting a young top-6C in the making like Lundell for a rental. That was just a pipe dream.

And I don’t get how people think we didn’t embrace the rebuild. We sold 6 established vets over the past 10ish months and accumulated tons of picks and prospects and completely restocked our cupboard. That is the definition of a rebuild. Sure it’s not a scorched earth tank, but it’s actually pretty close. I can’t even think of another team who sold off 3 top-4 dmen, two top-6 forwards, and a good starting goalie in one calendar year.

We just need to put our assets towards finding one or two top-6 C’s now. But we need to be realistic and understand that legit guys like Lundell aren’t available for rentals. We also can’t play to lose, and we don’t have many more pieces to sell. We just have to be patient now and continue to accumulate picks and prospects, and then eventually use those many picks and prospects as ammo to find those C’s over the next few years. That’s the right way to build a contender imo, and Conroy gets it.

So you want to find non legit top 6 centers? Lundell did not have a great year lastyear, and was firmly on the 3rd line. We had all the assets in the world, we could have put a package togther to a team that was up against the cap.
We have to make a deal for a legit future 2nd C at least. Even if it means moving a player, top pick & prospect. Loading up on late 1sts & 2nds is a sure way to continue what we have over the past 20 years.
For once, I'd like to see us send the quantity and get the quality.

 

[Bjornar Moxnes]

I'd like to take a reclamation project on Dylan Cozens ngl.

 

[Flames Fanatic]

Connor zary has 39 points in 68 NHL games and has shown very little in his game at any level to get excited about and people are talking about 6 x 6? That is nuts.

Don't you need at least one decent season in the NHL or even AHL to get overpaid anymore?

Look at what 6 million gets you these days. It's not the same NHL anymore, and the cap is only going up more.

Debrusk is an interesting comparable potentially, and he got 5.5. Generally you pay an upside tax, plus calculations for potential cap increase.

 

[Body Checker]

100% healthy this team now has a real shot at the playoffs. Hold the rebuild drama talk please, this comment is just about the current season. Once Shaeangovich back the top 9 is deep minus any superstars. Keep the five guys around for 4th line - Rooney, Kirkland, Coronato, Lomberg, Klapka.

The other move I would like to see is Bean out of the starting lineup. Not really impressed by him. I would like a banger 3rd pairing in Pachal-Grushnikov. Also try Soloylov, Kuznetsov and Poirier. Barrie as the 7th guy in press box.

Then I think we’re rolling.

 

[Tkachuk Norris]

Time to change up the lines

Coleman-Backlund-Coronato
Huberdeau-Zary-Pospisil
Mantha-Kadri-Kuzmenko

Bahl-Andersson
X-Weegar
X-Pachal

The other two D positions should be open competition between Solo, Poirier, Kuz and Miro. Basically what many of us were saying heading into the season

 

[DomBarr]

This team seems to be doing a ground hog day moment but without the surprise playoff trip.
2015 They traded for Hamilton at the 2015 draft to shore up an identified weakness in their rebuilding/tooling roster.
2024 looking to trade for a young skilled middle 6 right shot center to shore up an identified weakness in their rebuilding/tooling roster.

In both cases the timing is/was premature. To get said center they are going to have to give up high picks and/or top prospects which is the last thing they should be doing for a middle 6 center. This is based on Conroy keeping the best 5 vets (Kadri, Coleman, Backlund, Andersson, and Weegar) to build a good environment
If it was like the Eichal trade where it involves a true elite to borderline elite #1 center that fits and Kadri and Backlund are pushed down the depth chart sure.

 

[Kranix]

So you want to find non legit top 6 centers? Lundell did not have a great year lastyear, and was firmly on the 3rd line. We had all the assets in the world, we could have put a package togther to a team that was up against the cap.
We have to make a deal for a legit future 2nd C at least. Even if it means moving a player, top pick & prospect. Loading up on late 1sts & 2nds is a sure way to continue what we have over the past 20 years.
For once, I'd like to see us send the quantity and get the quality.

On a cup winner with Barkov-Bennett down the middle Lundell was 3C. Also finished 4th on the team in playoff scoring. With Barkov out he's a ppg playing 19 mins a night. He's not flashy but he can be a top 6 center. Not that Florida would be trading him.

 

[Figgy44]

This team seems to be doing a ground hog day moment but without the surprise playoff trip.
2015 They traded for Hamilton at the 2015 draft to shore up an identified weakness in their rebuilding/tooling roster.
2024 looking to trade for a young skilled middle 6 right shot center to shore up an identified weakness in their rebuilding/tooling roster.

In both cases the timing is/was premature. To get said center they are going to have to give up high picks and/or top prospects which is the last thing they should be doing for a middle 6 center. This is based on Conroy keeping the best 5 vets (Kadri, Coleman, Backlund, Andersson, and Weegar) to build a good environment
If it was like the Eichal trade where it involves a true elite to borderline elite #1 center that fits and Kadri and Backlund are pushed down the depth chart sure.

What were we supposed to do, draft Chabot, then continue looking for a RHS RD?

I don't think Hamilton was totally off the tracks for a rebuild. It's insulating and adding the multi year contract vets to the bottom 6, Bollig, Neal, Lucic etc. Our RW and RD options were brutally bad. We badly needed a top 4 RD after Wideman, so the Hamilton move made sense. Hamilton didn't stop us from drafting in the top 10.

Adding a top 6 C right now isn't detrimental to the team, especially if they are requested to find ways to win even with insurmountable differences in skill and experience. Conroy has said he wants to do a Dallas formula. Such a move would be on par with the Vegas, Boston and Dallas formulas.

 

[Some Other Flame]

The repeated awful coaching hires + the Hamonic trade were the rebuild killers.

A high first and two seconds given up for a middle pairing stay at home defenceman that ended up walking as a free agent for nothing - just brutal asset management.

 

[Rubi]

I have to wonder if Jim Parsons works on commission for the Leafs. He's sure pumping David Kampf's tires...

Maple Leafs Could Make Move to Address Flames Trade Search - The Hockey Writers Toronto Maple Leafs Latest News, Analysis & More

The Toronto Maple are looking for cap flexibility and the Calgary Flames are looking for a middle-six center. Is there a trade fit there?

thehockeywriters.com

 

[Yepthatsme]

This team seems to be doing a ground hog day moment but without the surprise playoff trip.
2015 They traded for Hamilton at the 2015 draft to shore up an identified weakness in their rebuilding/tooling roster.
2024 looking to trade for a young skilled middle 6 right shot center to shore up an identified weakness in their rebuilding/tooling roster.

In both cases the timing is/was premature. To get said center they are going to have to give up high picks and/or top prospects which is the last thing they should be doing for a middle 6 center. This is based on Conroy keeping the best 5 vets (Kadri, Coleman, Backlund, Andersson, and Weegar) to build a good environment
If it was like the Eichal trade where it involves a true elite to borderline elite #1 center that fits and Kadri and Backlund are pushed down the depth chart sure.

The silent part not being said by our organization is that this probably means Backlund is out the door. If we already have 3 top 9 Cs and an extra one potentially in Zary, and we are also trying to add a C, means one is probably not expected to be around for long. Given one is 35 turning 36 this season, there’s an easy answer to this question.

Let’s put it this way, Calgary isn’t trying to fill our entire top 9 with Cs converted to wing. If ones coming in, probably means another’s coming out within a year or so.

 

[JPeeper]

The repeated awful coaching hires + the Hamonic trade were the rebuild killers.

A high first and two seconds given up for a middle pairing stay at home defenceman that ended up walking as a free agent for nothing - just brutal asset management.

I know it's somewhat apples to oranges because Hamonic had years left on his deal and Hanifin was a free agent, but Hanifin returned a (probably) late first, where we paid a decent 1st and 2 2nds for a stay at home defenseman.

Can't believe how little we got for Hanifin, not blaming Conroy as all the other GM's in this league are dolts and don't know good players.

 

[Bounces R Way]

I like what I'm seeing out of the team but really until they acquire a franchise #1C prospect I'll just be unconvinced they're on their way to anything. The best place to do that is in the top 5 of the draft. Doesn't mean it's the only place but historically that's the most reliable. I very much doubt it'll be there for us in trade but worth exploring C options anyway.

The repeated awful coaching hires + the Hamonic trade were the rebuild killers.

A high first and two seconds given up for a middle pairing stay at home defenceman that ended up walking as a free agent for nothing - just brutal asset management.

Day 1 I hated that trade. That much for a dman that had never even broken 35pts. Should never pay A assets for a traditional chase fwds around and crosscheck'em defensive defenseman, those guys are a dime a dozen. That and the Lazar trade struck me as obviously bad from the word go.

The pro-scouting generally for the franchise has been largely hit or miss since then. Hamilton trade turned out well I'd say. Coleman and Weegar have played stellar hockey in Calgary, I do like what I'm seeing under Conroy so far. Sharangovich and Kuzmenko have raised their value since being acquired. Even fringe roster players like Pachal, Kirkland, and Cooley are showing something. Too early to tell on Mantha, Bahl, and Bean but they're low cost with upside and the early returns have been solid.

 

[Mobiandi]

Hamilton was a shitty trade because it broke up Gio-Brodie. Gio had to babysit Dougie and Brodie suffered because of Hamonic. When Hamilton was eventually moved, it came out that they’d been trying to trade him for 18 months.

Once Gio-Brodie were put together again, Gio won what should have been his second Norris and finished 1st in the West.

 

[FLAMESFAN]

I wonder if a guy like Foerester would be available from Philly? He's listed as a C/RW, but I don't know how much he's been tried at C
He's taken a bit of a backseat to that new shinny toy there, maybe Kuzmenko for him?

 

[Ledge And Dairy]

I wonder if a guy like Foerester would be available from Philly? He's listed as a C/RW, but I don't know how much he's been tried at C
He's taken a bit of a backseat to that new shinny toy there, maybe Kuzmenko for him?

Philly definitely isn't a buyer and Foerester has played very little center since Junior.

 

[DomBarr]

What were we supposed to do, draft Chabot, then continue looking for a RHS RD?

I don't think Hamilton was totally off the tracks for a rebuild. It's insulating and adding the multi year contract vets to the bottom 6, Bollig, Neal, Lucic etc. Our RW and RD options were brutally bad. We badly needed a top 4 RD after Wideman, so the Hamilton move made sense. Hamilton didn't stop us from drafting in the top 10.

Adding a top 6 C right now isn't detrimental to the team, especially if they are requested to find ways to win even with insurmountable differences in skill and experience. Conroy has said he wants to do a Dallas formula. Such a move would be on par with the Vegas, Boston and Dallas formulas.

if there they were looking at young 21 YO top line center who could push Kadri down the depth chart I have no issues with that BUT none of those are available

The Dallas formula was to keep their picks and draft smart UNTIL it is clear you are a contender. They didn't even need to spend a pick to get that young 21 YO top line center in Seguin. The Flames acquired a ton of D prospect depth last season BUT they have an age problem at forward that has not been addressed and spending picks to try and get a 23 to 25 YO middle 6 center is just so old Flames.