Speculation: Armchair GM Thread: I can't believe it's not butter, I can't believe we didn't get Ryan Hartman.

[Rangediddy]

I've been frustrated to no end by Gulutzen this year, but you look around the league at the coaches who were having their heads called for (Maurice, Hakstol, Bednar), but management stuck with them and got results in the end. I can't tell if I'd rather see Gulutzen fired, or see us stick with a coach long term.

 

[Body Checker]

To be determined yet are first round playoff disappointments and lottery winners. That will open up trade possibilities. I like whomever suggested Brodie for Hoffman if we can then turn around and get a LHD back somewhere. That could be from the team that gets Dahlin. Say Buffalo wins lotto then we could go after a Scandella or McCabe to replace some of the depth loss from a Brodie trade. Also if Washington goes down hard in the first round maybe Burakovsky is available. Tampa needs to move some salary so maybe we could make a move there. Things have not yet opened up.

 

[Body Checker]

I've been frustrated to no end by Gulutzen this year, but you look around the league at the coaches who were having their heads called for (Maurice, Hakstol, Bednar), but management stuck with them and got results in the end. I can't tell if I'd rather see Gulutzen fired, or see us stick with a coach long term.

Good points there. Heard from a few Jets fans that had but all given up on Maurice. Hakstol looked like a dead man walking too

 

[Ace Rimmer]

You are missing a key name on your list of guys for a first.

Sam Bennett

I know some people don't want to hear it, but the fact of the matter is, Bennett is approaching "bust" status after 3 years in the league and not ever improving on his rookie season. Whether of not people agree on Bennett, I think everyone with any common sense realizes it has to be reaching the point of no return with him. Either we hold onto him until he is what he is, or we cut bait and take what we can get. He will still hold some value and will likely still be able to land a 1st in the second half of the draft if dealt now, but if we don't move him and he has another tough year, his value may not even be a second rounder.

Now to be clear, before I am attacked by the Bennett apologists. I am not saying we should trade him, I am on the fence about it personally. I am simply saying at this point in time it needs to be a discussion amongst the management team as to whether or not we trade him for something while he still has value, or we stay the course.

I think this is the last off-season he'll have "maybe" value, but I'm not sure if that ship has sailed or not. Friedman claims Chicago's looking for another young forward that may deal their 1st for, I could see that as a possibility post-lottery.

Frankly I don't think he should be traded at all, and am fully willing to live with a coin toss at this point.

 

[Johnny Hoxville]

If the Flames trade Bennett, the very best case scenario is that you’re getting a pick in the 20-30+ range. That’s abou a 33% chance that you’re getting an NHL regular player. So if we’re picking another forward, think we could be getting Poirier, Klimchuk, or Lazar, or maybe a Jankowski. Yes you can get a Pastrnak or Taresenko as an exception, but how confident are we that we will be getting a player like that in that range? Personally I’d rather roll the dice on Bennett continuing to improve and hopefully under a better coach.

 

[BobColesNasalCavity]

I really don't mind most of the roster when healthy so the only real failing, for me anyway, is coaching. Add a competent coach who can get more out of the defence and the third line, one top six forward via free agency and watch them most probably take off.

But regardless, Treliving's approach may not have worked thus far but I'm not sure why so many fans think he's suddenly going to abandon everything he believes in and start doing the complete opposite because of a late season collapse. It's usually the other way round with management doubling down and sticking to their guns. Way too many are projecting their own frustrations and desperation onto management without ever actually paying attention to the things they say or do.

There's definitely a bit of an echo chamber going on especially with the notion that a top four defenceman (Brodie) will most assuredly be moved. I mean, it's not impossible, but it would literally go against everything he's said and done thus far. Given the track record, it's far more likely he leaves the top four intact along with the top defensive prospects and moves other pieces to obtain that top-six forward. Or simply throws a bunch of money and term at Neal/JVR/Perron/Kane.

I've said this a bunch of times but Treliving isn't Darryl Sutter. Seriously, did Dutter ever do a number on Flames fans' psyche with his lateral trades, constant flip flopping between offensive and defensive styles, full on reactive approach with zero planning for the future, etc. Few if any GM's are like that nowadays.

I like Treliving, but this team didn't just collapse down the stretch, they weren't very good at the beginning of the year too and if it wasn't for Smith, we're probably a bottom 5 team. I think we are forgetting that. I like Treliving's cap management and don't really have any gripes with any of his trades other than Hamonic but I at least understand why he made it. But he's overvaluing the forward corps outside of the probably 4 or 5 players. Outside of the obvious ones, the forward corp lacks talent and skill. You might disagree but I don't see it.

 

[Lunatik]

I think this is the last off-season he'll have "maybe" value, but I'm not sure if that ship has sailed or not. Friedman claims Chicago's looking for another young forward that may deal their 1st for, I could see that as a possibility post-lottery.

Frankly I don't think he should be traded at all, and am fully willing to live with a coin toss at this point.

If the Flames trade Bennett, the very best case scenario is that you’re getting a pick in the 20-30+ range. That’s abou a 33% chance that you’re getting an NHL regular player. So if we’re picking another forward, think we could be getting Poirier, Klimchuk, or Lazar, or maybe a Jankowski. Yes you can get a Pastrnak or Taresenko as an exception, but how confident are we that we will be getting a player like that in that range? Personally I’d rather roll the dice on Bennett continuing to improve and hopefully under a better coach.

When it comes to Bennett, I am more in the package him with a prospect/roster player for an upgrade camp, rather than deal him for a pick. If we can can a Domi or Simmonds for Bennett+, I would be all over it, but if it were for a 1st round pick, I wouldn't pull the trigger unless it was in the top 15, or unless the pick is being flipped for an upgrade.

 

[DFF]

If the Flames trade Bennett, the very best case scenario is that you’re getting a pick in the 20-30+ range. That’s abou a 33% chance that you’re getting an NHL regular player. So if we’re picking another forward, think we could be getting Poirier, Klimchuk, or Lazar, or maybe a Jankowski. Yes you can get a Pastrnak or Taresenko as an exception, but how confident are we that we will be getting a player like that in that range? Personally I’d rather roll the dice on Bennett continuing to improve and hopefully under a better coach.

True but chance of Bennett "gets it" is no higher than hitting a jackpot with the low first.

But you get a sure low end NHLer with him though

 

[Baxterman]

True but chance of Bennett "gets it" is no higher than hitting a jackpot with the low first.

But you get a sure low end NHLer with him though

He's already better than a low end NHLer now.

Trading him for a 1st makes no sense unless we are dumping Monahan, Gio, Hamilton and Smith as well.

 

[DFF]

He's already better than a low end NHLer now.

Trading him for a 1st makes no sense unless we are dumping Monahan, Gio, Hamilton and Smith as well.

OK It depends on how you define low end. It's not Hathaway/Lazar single digit scoring low end I guess

And I agree I wouldnt trade him for a low first....

 

[Baxterman]

OK It depends on how you define low end. It's not Hathaway/Lazar single digit scoring low end I guess

And I agree I wouldnt trade him for a low first....

I think he is at worst an average 3rd line guy, with the ability to fill in on the 2nd line. considering his contract is pretty cheap and he still has upside I think a player like that is useful.

If you took him off the Flames and replaced him with random guy X I think you are either a worse team or a much more expensive team. So in that sense I see him as a positive on the team.

It is likely more an indictment on the Flames forwards than a ringing endorsement of him but outside of Monahan, Gaudreau, Backlund and Tkachuk I don't think there is another forward I would take over him and the only guy close is Ferland but I think the production would have been pretty equal if they had switched spots over the past year and a half.

 

[Bounces R Way]

Despite his awful penalties and measly point totals I still think Bennett has more inherent value with the Flames rather than in a trade. Whether or not that's because his trade value is poor or because he may sometime this millennium "figure it out" is another question.

What to do with Brodie is another story, they either keep him and hope he gets back on track to being the dynamic skater we've seen him as before, or trade him while he may still have some good value as a top 4 D on a good contract. He could find his form under another coach, because it's basically since GG came on that he's struggled.

Last year I would of balked at even mentioning trading these guys. This offseason I don't feel nearly as strong, especially if a deal that makes sense presents itself.

Big ticket FA would still be my first choice. Add to this roster, don't see a lot of reason to shake it up just for the sake of it.

 

[Bjornar Moxnes]

Anyone want to get Valentin Zykov?

 

[Calculon]

I like Treliving, but this team didn't just collapse down the stretch, they weren't very good at the beginning of the year too and if it wasn't for Smith, we're probably a bottom 5 team. I think we are forgetting that. I like Treliving's cap management and don't really have any gripes with any of his trades other than Hamonic but I at least understand why he made it. But he's overvaluing the forward corps outside of the probably 4 or 5 players. Outside of the obvious ones, the forward corp lacks talent and skill. You might disagree but I don't see it.

See, the thing is, this really isn't about people's opinions on Treliving or roster. Although Treliving did acquire Smith for essentially a 3rd round pick, so credit to him for that (and I say that as someone who was very much against the idea last summer).

The point was that unless a new GM is brought in or pressure from ownership makes Treliving go crazy (less likely given his recent extension plus increased autonomy), he's going to do things his way regardless of whether people agree with it or not. And again, it's really not like I agree with it either; the NHL is clearly moving towards speedy skilled game with an emphasis on overwhelming offensive depth but for some strange reason, every single GM the organization hires favours defence and gritty guys fulled of intangibles and heart and leadership. It's almost like, the Flames have a bunch of dinosaurs for owners. Weird.

Anyway, given that Treliving's whole philosophy is building around the defence, down the middle and in net, it's just bizarre that so many expect him to of a sudden wholly abandon it and go in a completely different direction. It's just seems unlikely.

 

[Iggys Dome]

For me, this summer determines whether Tre is worthy to be our GM. It hinges on who (if) he hires a new coach, how he can tweak our forward corps, and inject skill and talent into our team after the most embarrassing collapse this team has seen in a decade.

Side note, why are the guys on Fan960 so hesitant to rip the coaching? They're literally talking about how the coaches are trying to make it "fun" at practice by playing 3 on 3 and they're commending them for that, are you f***ing kidding me? It's the NHL, not peewee. They're terrified to say anything bad about Gulutzan, since they've given him the benefit of the doubt despite the collapse. Loubardias and Wills are clowns.

 

[Iggys Dome]

Also, if we can get H0-Sang for cheap I would go for it. Skilled RW, character issues are overblown as usual, low risk high reward depending on what we give up.

 

[Bjornar Moxnes]

Also, if we can get H0-Sang for cheap I would go for it. Skilled RW, character issues are overblown as usual, low risk high reward depending on what we give up.

I want to see if we can get Zykov.

 

[viper0220]

For me, this summer determines whether Tre is worthy to be our GM. It hinges on who (if) he hires a new coach, how he can tweak our forward corps, and inject skill and talent into our team after the most embarrassing collapse this team has seen in a decade.

Side note, why are the guys on Fan960 so hesitant to rip the coaching? They're literally talking about how the coaches are trying to make it "fun" at practice by playing 3 on 3 and they're commending them for that, are you ****ing kidding me? It's the NHL, not peewee. They're terrified to say anything bad about Gulutzan, since they've given him the benefit of the doubt despite the collapse. Loubardias and Wills are clowns.

I don't have faith in Brad Trevling (don't know why but I just don't), I don't think he will make the chances we need to become a strong contender.

For the Fan 960, they need to suck up the Flames organization or else they will lose their jobs, I think fans are more honest than anyone and that is why I come here and CP, they tell how it is.

 

[Turning Mangiapanese]

Also, if we can get H0-Sang for cheap I would go for it. Skilled RW, character issues are overblown as usual, low risk high reward depending on what we give up.

Wonder what it would take to get Ho-Sang + our 1st back? Brodie + something? Depends a lot on the draft lottery of course.

 

[DFF]

I don't have faith in Brad Trevling (don't know why but I just don't), I don't think he will make the chances we need to become a strong contender.

For the Fan 960, they need to suck up the Flames organization or else they will lose their jobs, I think fans are more honest than anyone and that is why I come here and CP, they tell how it is.

In the last month, this is the worst Flames team in a long time. They cant even score a goal, let alone win the game.

Bad system, bad coaching, bad motivation, whatever it is GG and the coaching staff has to go. BT wont be far behind if he cant fix it soon enough

 

[Baxterman]

Also, if we can get H0-Sang for cheap I would go for it. Skilled RW, character issues are overblown as usual, low risk high reward depending on what we give up.

He character issues are very real and plain to see.

What is overblown is his skill. The guy constantly puts up mediocre numbers but because he once was flashy and he continues to spin the narrative that he is a skilled guy getting screwed people still believe that he is skilled.

 

[Johnny Hoxville]

I would like Ho Sang, this team needs more of an attitude and swagger, I’d also like to still add Kane.

Also I always listen to the morning show on the Fan. Those guys definitely have flaws, but they are not full blown homers like Wills. They have all criticized Backlund (who almost no one does), the coach, the GM, Brodie/Hamonic as a pairing, Jankowski, Bennett, Monahan. Essentially everyone except Johnny, Tkachuk and Gio.

I know many on here don’t agree, but I really enjoy Rhett and Pinder is awesome. Boomer is a host which he is okay at, but his opinions are very questionable.

 

[Mobiandi]

I'd love to have Ho-Sang here

 

[InfinityIggy]

No team is giving up a 1st for Bennett at this point. Flames are best of just sticking with him at this point, unless for some reason a team takes a shining to him.

 

[Tkachuky]

Do we have any shot at Tavares. An actual shot? Not looking for the any team in the league has a shot at him answer.