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

[Mobiandi]

With projections like those, not locking down Rasmus this summer would be silly.

Rantanen trade looks a little foolish now

 

[Flames Fanatic]

So after last nights fun, what sort of Frost/Farabee-esque targets should Craig be on the prowl for on defense?

I don't want to necessarily block the plethora of D prospects we have, but if we're going to spend assets to improve I'd hope they aren't pure rentals either.

Probably more of an offseason move, but I wonder if Vegas is willing to pay Hague or not.

 

[Lunatik]

So...Andersson's camp is now looking at a contract north of $10.5 M AAV based on a 10% share of a $105M cap in the year his extension starts and thats actually giving him a contract based on % of Cap his comparables have signed.
If he holds steady waiting for an overpay, due to the Flames fear of losing him he is gonna ask something close to $12M AAV.

This team can't afford the long term cap headache that will occur if they sign a 30 yo dman $10.5 to $12M over 8 yrs

Source? because no one remotely reliable has said such a thing about his ask, just random fans speculating.

 

[Darth Vladar]

With projections like those, not locking down Rasmus this summer would be silly.

Rantanen trade looks a little foolish now

If Moose just ends up signing with the Avs again in the offseason, the trade will have been a goddamn masterstroke lol

 

[Lunatik]

So after last nights fun, what sort of Frost/Farabee-esque targets should Craig be on the prowl for on defense?

I don't want to necessarily block the plethora of D prospects we have, but if we're going to spend assets to improve I'd hope they aren't pure rentals either.

Probably more of an offseason move, but I wonder if Vegas is willing to pay Hague or not.

I think we go after Chychrun and Lindgren (to get 1 of them), 27YO defensemen aren't a bad idea.

 

[Darth Vladar]

So after last nights fun, what sort of Frost/Farabee-esque targets should Craig be on the prowl for on defense?

I don't want to necessarily block the plethora of D prospects we have, but if we're going to spend assets to improve I'd hope they aren't pure rentals either.

Probably more of an offseason move, but I wonder if Vegas is willing to pay Hague or not.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: I’d sooner call up Poirier and Solo before taking on any (more) dead weight.

 

[Lunatik]

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: I’d sooner call up Poirier and Solo before taking on any (more) dead weight.

I think he's referring to next season. and I think Miro may be bought out.

Bahl - Andersson
_______ - Weegar
_______ - Pachal
x: _______, Miromanov (if not bought out)

I stand firm on my opinion of Poirier, he's dog shit defensively and will never be an NHL regular, points are not the most important thing an NHL defenseman provides.

And I love Solo but he's not a top 4 defenseman right now.

 

[Darth Vladar]

I think he's referring to next season. and I think Miro may be bought out.

Bahl - Andersson
_______ - Weegar
_______ - Pachal
x: _______, Miromanov (if not bought out)

I stand firm on my opinion of Poirier, he's dog shit defensively and will never be an NHL regular, points are not the most important thing an NHL defenseman provides.

And I love Solo but he's not a top 4 defenseman right now.

You can stand firm on your opinion of Poirier all you want, but the kid is still only 22 years old, skates miles better than Barrie, has more skill than Miro, Bean, and Hanley combined, and his numbers are comparable to Raz’s at the same age even after coming back from a long-term injury. As I said before, defense can be taught, but skill is something that one simply has or doesn’t. If points were not an important part of what an NHL defenseman provides, Barrie would not even have a career, nor would Conny have bothered to sign him. It’s wild asf to say a guy who’s never even skated in an NHL game will never be a regular when we’ve literally had worse guys playing regularly for us all season lol not saying playing under Huska is going to bring out some latent defensive specialist in Poirier, but you pair him with a guy who can do more of the defensive heavy lifting. I never meant to suggest that I though Solo was a top-four guy, but he’s already skated in 10 NHL contests, and does a little bit of everything like Patches does, I think they’d make a perfect bottom pairing for less than $2M.

Bahl - Raz
Poirier - Weegar
Solo - Pachal
X - Kuznetsov

 

[Lunatik]

You can stand firm on your opinion of Poirier all you want, but the kid is still only 22 years old, skates miles better than Barrie, has more skill than Miro, Bean, and Hanley combined, and his numbers are comparable to Raz’s at the same age even after coming back from a long-term injury. As I said before, defense can be taught, but skill is something that one simply has or doesn’t. If points were not an important part of what an NHL defenseman provides, Barrie would not even have a career, nor would Conny have bothered to sign him. It’s wild asf to say a guy who’s never even skated in an NHL game will never be a regular when we’ve literally had worse guys playing regularly for us all season lol not saying playing under Huska is going to bring out some latent defensive specialist in Poirier, but you pair him with a guy who can do more of the defensive heavy lifting. I never meant to suggest that I though Solo was a top-four guy, but he’s already skated in 10 NHL contests, and does a little bit of everything like Patches does, I think they’d make a perfect bottom pairing for less than $2M.

Bahl - Raz
Poirier - Weegar
Solo - Pachal
X - Kuznetsov

I don't give a f*** that his numbers are "comparable to Ras"..... Ras did it on a shitty team without much offense... Poirier is doing it on the highest scoring teams in the league... so it's really not as comparable as you think.. and just guessing since you keep referring to his stats that you never actually watch him on a consistent basis. If you did you'd know he's also a massive liability. Ras brings other things to the table.

Poirier is not good enough offensively to make up for his short comings. He's akin to guys like Derrick Pouliot and TJ Brennan.

Fun fact, Miromanov put up 40 points in 53 games in the AHL in 2021-22 and look at him now!

 

[Darth Vladar]

I don't give a f*** that his numbers are "comparable to Ras"..... Ras did it on a shitty team without much offense... Poirier is doing it on the highest scoring teams in the league... so it's really not as comparable as you think.. and just guessing since you keep referring to his stats that you never actually watch him on a consistent basis. If you did you'd know he's also a massive liability. Ras brings other things to the table.

Poirier is not good enough offensively to make up for his short comings. He's akin to guys like Derrick Pouliot and TJ Brennan.

Fun fact, Miromanov put up 40 points in 53 games in the AHL in 2021-22 and look at him now!

Miro put up 40 points in 53 games in the AHL when he was two years older than Poirier is now, after he’d spent the previous season playing with grown-ass men in the KHL. He’s currently sitting at 20 points in 82 NHL games across four seasons. Have you watched HIS “defensive” game? lol What exactly does Miro provide to make up for HIS shortcomings? Are you basically agreeing that we should give Poi five more years and at least 82 games in the show to know whether or not he actually sucks?

 

[Lunatik]

Miro put up 40 points in 53 games in the AHL when he was two years older than Poirier is now, after he’d spent the previous season playing with grown-ass men in the KHL. He’s currently sitting at 20 points in 82 NHL games across four seasons. Have you watched HIS “defensive” game? lol What exactly does Miro provide to make up for HIS shortcomings? Are you basically agreeing that we should give Poi five more years and at least 82 games in the show to know whether or not he actually sucks?

Miro is f***ing garbage too, that was my point

 

[Darth Vladar]

Miro is f***ing garbage too, that was my point

But bro still got his 82 NHL games.

(even if it took four seasons)

And he didn’t skate in his first one until he was already three years older than Poirier is now. So basically the worst that can possibly happen is that Poirier pans out to be another Miro, but he is far too skilled and skates too well to ever let that happen imho

 

[Lunatik]

But he still got his 82 NHL games.

(even if it took four seasons)

And he didn’t skate in his first one until he was already three years older than Poirier is now. So basically the worst that can possibly happen is that Poirier pans out to be another Miro, but he is far too skilled and skates too well to ever let that happen imho

We're gonna have to agree to disagree. I just don't see it when I watch him play, I've seen next to no defensive improvement in his game in 3 years in the AHL

 

[DomBarr]

Source? because no one remotely reliable has said such a thing about his ask, just random fans speculating.

sorry, didn't mean to make it sound like it was a rumored ask. It was a guess based on his comparable AND the project cap.
it should have read clearer

 

[DomBarr]

I’ve long been a proponent of dealing Razzy for a package that includes a 2026 1st, since the Flames have so much D depth, especially RHS. The only reason I would wait until next season now is to give the team their best chance at a decent run this year, which could also increase Razzy’s trade value depending on how well he plays. It makes no sense to lock him in for eight years when Brzu and Parekh could be knocking on the door in the next year or two.

that's my feel. I think he is going to do what Lindholm and Hanifin did which is hold the line on what it would take to sign and then wait for the Flames to blink OR trade him.

 

[Darth Vladar]

We're gonna have to agree to disagree. I just don't see it when I watch him play, I've seen next to no defensive improvement in his game in 3 years in the AHL

But you honestly don’t think his skating, skill, and offensive upside compensates for it in any way? For shits and giggles, I looked up Barrie’s stats at around the same point in his career, I didn’t realize he was a ppg dman in junior, but even so, his actual defense couldn’t have been any better than what we’re seeing now, a full fourteen years into his career. I can agree to disagree with you on this one, but I legitimately don’t understand the adamancy. I think maybe you just have a thing about gingers lmao

 

[Lunatik]

But you honestly don’t think his skating, skill, and offensive upside compensates for it in any way? For shits and giggles, I looked up Barrie’s stats at around the same point in his career, I didn’t realize he was a ppg dman in junior, but even so, his actual defense couldn’t have been any better than what we’re seeing now, a full fourteen years into his career. I can agree to disagree with you on this one, but I legitimately don’t understand the adamancy. I think maybe you just have a thing about gingers lmao

No enough, no. Lots of guys are producers in Juniors and the AHL and don't do shit in the NHL and end up as AHL journeymen.

And Barrie's offense made up for his deficiencies, and at the same age Barrie was a full-time NHLer and had been a 0.7 PPG player in the AHL.

I'd love to be wrong, but I just don't see it. He a worse version of Kylington.

 

[Darth Vladar]

that's my feel. I think he is going to do what Lindholm and Hanifin did which is hold the line on what it would take to sign and then wait for the Flames to blink OR trade him.

Considering what Conny got back for Lindy, I’d have zero problems with that lol

I’m NOT suggesting that Razzy isn’t worth $8-9M; lord knows some team on the cusp of making it will be happy to back the truck up for him. I just don’t think it makes loads of sense for the Flames’ short-term future to lock him in for eight years at this stage of his career when a) they need one of those top-four RD spots open to incentivize competition between the three stud rightys they have, and b) that could end up being Parekh money a few years into the contract.

 

[Lunatik]

Considering what Conny got back for Lindy, I’d have zero problems with that lol

I’m NOT suggesting that Razzy isn’t worth $8-9M; lord knows some team on the cusp of making it will be happy to back the truck up for him. I just don’t think it makes loads of sense for the Flames’ short-term future to lock him in for eight years at this stage of his career when a) they need one of the top-four RD spots open to incentivize competition between the three stud rightys they have, and b) that could end up being Parekh money a few years into the contract.

I really don't understand this train of thought... most prospects fail... and if we need a RD spot because they are playing that well, Weegar also plays LD. Problem solved,

 

[Darth Vladar]

No enough, no. Lots of guys are producers in Juniors and the AHL and don't do shit in the NHL and end up as AHL journeymen.

And Barrie's offense made up for his deficiencies, and at the same age Barrie was a full-time NHLer and had been a 0.7 PPG player in the AHL.

I'd love to be wrong, but I just don't see it. He a worse version of Kylington.

Not trying to make any more excuses for Poi, but his development WAS set back a bit by that injury. I just think my boi needs his fair shake, and I don’t think he’s had it yet. With his RFA looming, you’d have to imagine that he’ll find his way into the Flames lineup at some point before the regular season is over.

 

[Darth Vladar]

I really don't understand this train of thought... most prospects fail... and if we need a RD spot because they are playing that well, Weegar also plays LD. Problem solved,

The “train of thought” is that Raz could fetch us another 1st in the 2026 draft, possibly even that elusive high pick that many feel is the only way the Flames will ever obtain their “franchise” 1C.

 

[Lunatik]

The “train of thought” is that Raz could fetch us another 1st in the 2026 draft, possibly even that elusive high pick that some feel is the only way the Flames will ever obtain their “franchise” 1C.

It'd be a mid-1st at best.... but I was referring to the part I bolded. Leaving spots open just in case a prospect works out is asinine

 

[DomBarr]

I really don't understand this train of thought... most prospects fail... and if we need a RD spot because they are playing that well, Weegar also plays LD. Problem solved,

The reasons I think Andersson needs to be traded are:
1) he will be 30 when his extension takes effect. I am not in favour of giving 30 YO players 8 yr extensions.
2) this contract is not going to be 8 or 9 M it’s going north of $10.5 M AAV which is 10% of the negotiated cap estimate of $105M
3) Andersson is a ok top pair dman BUT he is not a cornerstone build around player
4) this team is not nor is it going to be a long term serious playoff contender as it is structured right now. Instead of emerging as a serious contender with the new building they will still be wallowing in the challenge for a wildcard area of the standings.
5) yes prospects fail and teams make bad picks BUT if a team doesn’t draft or trade for them the team also won’t get the true elite level players

 

[crackdown44]

It’s honestly going to be tough to look at contracts signed from this summer onward. Going to take a long time to adjust. Honestly I’d almost do 8x8 for Coronato and Zary. 8 is going to be the new 6 as soon as 2026ish and I feel like they’re both already 5-5.5 guys. They’d need bare minimal improvement to to reach their worth

But then when you compare that to guys that signed for 8 over the past few years it would look awful (but you can’t do that). But if you bridge them and it keeps rising then you’re getting boned further down the line

Really weird spot

 

[Darth Vladar]

It'd be a mid-1st at best.... but I was referring to the part I bolded. Leaving spots open just in case a prospect works out is asinine

It’s not “just in case” a prospect works out. It’s called incentive. The spot goes to whichever of them wins it.

You honestly think the best we’d do for the same Razzy whose price tag will likely be an eight-figure AAV is a mid-1st at best? I’m not saying it wouldn’t be, but damn even Cory Schneider fetched 9th overall with only three (decent) seasons under his belt. Surely Raz could get us at least somewhere close to that.