Speculation: Speculation, Rumours, and Pretending to be a GM XIII

[Flames Fanatic]

Having the deepest pool in the league means very little honestly. If you can't transition them to the NHL, you're hooped one way or another. They may want some guys to be stop gaps while still giving them a chance to win. Clearly their current makeup is among the bottom tier of the league.

I don't disagree that their current D as it exists sucks [mod].

But they have Sanheim, Hagg, Gostisbehere, Morin, Provorov all looking to crack the NHL in the next few years. Combine that with Streit and MDZ as players they want playing, Gudas who they got in the Coburn trade, Schultz and Schenn as meh players, and the boat anchor that is MacDonald as well. They also signed 32 year old Yevgeny Medvedev to a 3 million dollar deal.

I think they have enough stop gaps. If anything, they would want to make room for younger guys.

 

[Volica]

Hextall was only made GM a year ago. Most of the moves he's made so far have been pretty much cap-structure type rebuild moves... moving out guys like Pronger and Hartnell.

Hartnell for Umberger?
That's not a rebuild type move.

Pronger & Grossman to Arizona for Gagner; is a scratch-my-back, I'll scratch yours type deal. Arizona gets to the floor theoretically (Pronger isn't owed a lot of money versus his contract) and Philly saves about 7 million in cap space; yet they're still a top 5 cap team if I'm not mistaken. The Flyers have been one of the worst managed teams in this era; known for digging holes, then digging themselves out, just to grab that shovel again and start that digging again.

If my memory serves me correctly, I think Schenn, Couturier & Voracek need contracts next year. All with probably about 20 million in space for the three; plus an additional 5+ additional contracts required to actually ice a team.

The Flyer's aren't in a rebuild, they're just bad

 

[Volica]

I don't disagree that their current D as it exists sucks.

I think they have enough stop gaps. If anything, they would want to make room for younger guys.

I definitely agree they have a great young corps. They've been drafting Dmen like it's going out of style every year it seems for the three years

Their corps really sucks though. Like, if MDZ is someone you're hanging your hat on to show the kids what it means to be an NHLer, you're barking up the wrong tree (unless it's the escort tree, then you're at the right one). Streit is definitely a professional and a leader... but that is supppppeerrrr thin behind him.

Philly is in a position where they're so stacked up front and have nothing out back; they're not tanking, but they're not winning enough to be a real threat. I mean, two years ago, didn't they make the playoffs with like low 90 points? Our West they would have been the last Wildcard and in the East they had like two teams (I think) below them

And I am 100% certain they didn't move Pronger to just give that cap space the thumbs up. Philly can't help but to spend money.

 

[Flames Fanatic]

I definitely agree they have a great young corps. They've been drafting Dmen like it's going out of style every year it seems for the three years

Their corps really sucks though. Like, if MDZ is someone you're hanging your hat on to show the kids what it means to be an NHLer, you're barking up the wrong tree (unless it's the escort tree, then you're at the right one). Streit is definitely a professional and a leader... but that is supppppeerrrr thin behind him.

Philly is in a position where they're so stacked up front and have nothing out back; they're not tanking, but they're not winning enough to be a real threat. I mean, two years ago, didn't they make the playoffs with like low 90 points? Our West they would have been the last Wildcard and in the East they had like two teams (I think) below them

And I am 100% certain they didn't move Pronger to just give that cap space the thumbs up. Philly can't help but to spend money.

I don't disagree except that MDZ had a bit of a bounce back year. Not to be confused with a breakout or anything of the like, but was decent.

What I'm trying to say is that they already have too many bodies that they can't get rid of in an effort to free up space for their young guys.

 

[OvermanKingGainer]

Hartnell for Umberger?
That's not a rebuild type move.

Umberger has 2 years left @ 4.6M
Hartnell has 4 years left @ 4.75M

If you don't want either, who would you rather have from a cap perspective?

The Flyers have been one of the worst managed teams in this era; known for digging holes, then digging themselves out, just to grab that shovel again and start that digging again.

That's like saying "the Flames are a terribly managed team because Kotalik". It's not the same front office.

 

[Lunatik]

Hartnell for Umberger?
That's not a rebuild type move.

sure it is, gets the contract off the books 2 years sooner

 

[Calculon]

Hextall seems committed to do things the right way with the Flyers. He's a complete reversal from Holmgren's 'be competitive at any cost' mentality. But whether or not Snider starts meddling again remains to be seen.

They wouldn't be interested in Wideman unless Lecavalier or MacDonald were going the other way. The only piece they have that they would be willing to move and possibly interest the Flames is Matt Read. They'd want futures though and seeing as how Read is 29, it's not worth serious exploration.

 

[GAMO1992]

Because I'm bored, and I woke up earlier than I wanted to, here's a question to pose to you guys.
If Bennett is utilized as a Center right from the get go of the season what do you think our line combo's would be? In my thinking about it, we have a very real opening 2nd LW spot.

Gaudreau-Monahan-Hudler
X-Bennett-Jones/Colborne
Bouma-Backlund-Frolik/Colborne
Jooris-Stajan-Bollig
Scratched: Granlund, Shore, Ferland

We have a pretty legit issue going into training camp. I was thinking, we could use some of our depth/prospects to trade for a 2nd line winger that would be obtainable.

Some names that came to mind would be:
Boyes(F.A.)
MacArthur(Ott)
Marleau(SJ)
Skinner(CAR)
Fleischman(not sure)
Kulemin(NYI)

Bottom line is we have a plethora of forwards, but none to really help out that 2nd line if Bennett plays C this year.
Thoughts? Other players? Just stick with what we have?

 

[flamesforcup*]

Because I'm bored, and I woke up earlier than I wanted to, here's a question to pose to you guys.
If Bennett is utilized as a Center right from the get go of the season what do you think our line combo's would be? In my thinking about it, we have a very real opening 2nd LW spot.

Gaudreau-Monahan-Hudler
X-Bennett-Jones/Colborne
Bouma-Backlund-Frolik/Colborne
Jooris-Stajan-Bollig
Scratched: Granlund, Shore, Ferland

We have a pretty legit issue going into training camp. I was thinking, we could use some of our depth/prospects to trade for a 2nd line winger that would be obtainable.

Some names that came to mind would be:
Boyes(F.A.)
MacArthur(Ott)
Marleau(SJ)
Skinner(CAR)
Fleischman(not sure)
Kulemin(NYI)

Bottom line is we have a plethora of forwards, but none to really help out that 2nd line if Bennett plays C this year.
Thoughts? Other players? Just stick with what we have?

second line LW is a need right now and i think skinner makes alot of sense as he fits our age group and it might be a buy low type of move depending on how carolina values him right now

 

[Sparky93]

Start of the year:

Gaudreau-Monahan-Hudler
Bouma-Backlund-Jones
Colborne-Bennett-Frolik
Ferland-Stajan-Jooris

End of the year:

Gaudreau-Monahan-Hudler
Ferland-Bennett-Frolik
Raymond-Backlund-Colborne
Bouma-Stajan-Jooris

Following start of the year:

Gaudreau-Monahan-Frolik
Ferland-Bennett-Poirier
Klimchuk-Backlund-Jooris
Bouma-Stajan-Shore

 

[Ace Rimmer]

I think Raymond is the 2nd line LW, for now.

 

[GAMO1992]

I think Raymond is the 2nd line LW, for now.

Yeah, by default and that says something. Remember when everyone was like "Oh we are super deep on the LW" at the beginning of last season? look what 1 season can do to that
Raymond is okay, but he could be upgraded for sure.

 

[Lunatik]

I think Raymond is the 2nd line LW, for now.

I don't think he is. I think we see Colborne or Hudler move to LW or else there are no spots for Jooris or Shore.

I think Bennett centers Colborne/Jones personally and Bouma plays with Backlund/Frolik

 

[Ace Rimmer]

I don't think he is. I think we see Colborne or Hudler move to LW or else there are no spots for Jooris or Shore.

I think Bennett centers Colborne/Jones personally and Bouma plays with Backlund/Frolik

Dammit. Yeah forgot about him, and agreed that Bouma plays with Backlund & Frolik for starters - that line may still evolve.

Thing is, Shore needs to find another level if he wants to be a full time NHLer, there may not be a spot for him anyways. And I really don't see the top line split up just yet. But yes, Colborne does need a spot, there are just too many damn forwards.

Gaudreau - Monahan - Hudler
Bouma - Backlund - Frolik
Colborne - Bennett - Jones (Colborne/Bennett switching positions from time to time)

With a 4th line rotation including: Raymond/Byron/Bollig/Stajan/Jooris/Ferland/Shore/Granlund/Poirier/etc.

Jeez, that's 9 guys for the 4th line. Yep, too many damn forwards.

 

[Johnny GODreau]

Just wait for a patented David Jones injury and Mason Raymond going ice cold. Then there's only 8 guys for 3 spots.

 

[Lunatik]

Dammit. Yeah forgot about him, and agreed that Bouma plays with Backlund & Frolik for starters - that line may still evolve.

Thing is, Shore needs to find another level if he wants to be a full time NHLer, there may not be a spot for him anyways. And I really don't see the top line split up just yet. But yes, Colborne does need a spot, there are just too many damn forwards.

Gaudreau - Monahan - Hudler
Bouma - Backlund - Frolik
Colborne - Bennett - Jones (Colborne/Bennett switching positions from time to time)

With a 4th line rotation including: Raymond/Byron/Bollig/Stajan/Jooris/Ferland/Shore/Granlund/Poirier/etc.

Jeez, that's 9 guys for the 4th line. Yep, too many damn forwards.

You forgot about the guy you think will get 50 assists?

As for Shore, I don't think he's been given much of an opportunity yet, when he does I think we will be very happy.

But yeah something has to give for the bottom line, 4 guys have to be moved out. Stajan is a lock, then Granlund & Poirier waiver exempt so they goes down, that is obvious IMO. After that it gets a bit murky and will depend on injuries because if guys are hurt, then no one will have to be sent down. That leaves 6 guys for 4 jobs.

We have:

Bollig, who is a lock IMO as we have no one else to fill his role.
Byron, he should be there but I don't think he is so valuable that we can risk losing a younger player for him. I think he would clear waivers.
Ferland, depends on his camp but I don't think we want to risk losing him.
Jooris, I don't think he will clear waivers. I wouldn't risk him to waivers.
Raymond, buyout? Sent down? traded? He is the most obvious option to be moved but then again injuries happen.
Shore, Treliving sounds pretty high on him and he hasn't been given a shot yet so I don't see us risking him on waivers.

For me it looks like Byron & Raymond are the odd guys out unless someone has a terrible camp or we have multiple injuries.

 

[InfinityIggy]

You forgot about the guy you think will get 50 assists?

As for Shore, I don't think he's been given much of an opportunity yet, when he does I think we will be very happy.

But yeah something has to give for the bottom line, 4 guys have to be moved out. Stajan is a lock, then Granlund & Poirier waiver exempt so they goes down, that is obvious IMO. After that it gets a bit murky and will depend on injuries because if guys are hurt, then no one will have to be sent down. That leaves 6 guys for 4 jobs.

We have:

Bollig, who is a lock IMO as we have no one else to fill his role.
Byron, he should be there but I don't think he is so valuable that we can risk losing a younger player for him. I think he would clear waivers.
Ferland, depends on his camp but I don't think we want to risk losing him.
Jooris, I don't think he will clear waivers. I wouldn't risk him to waivers.
Raymond, buyout? Sent down? traded? He is the most obvious option to be moved but then again injuries happen.
Shore, Treliving sounds pretty high on him and he hasn't been given a shot yet so I don't see us risking him on waivers.

For me it looks like Byron & Raymond are the odd guys out unless someone has a terrible camp or we have multiple injuries.

I am curious to see just how bullish Treliving will be with placing guys on waivers. It already looks like Ortio will have to pass through, as well as one or more of our forwards if we don't move any bodies.

 

[Lunatik]

I am curious to see just how bullish Treliving will be with placing guys on waivers. It already looks like Ortio will have to pass through, as well as one or more of our forwards if we don't move any bodies.

This is why I am on board with a Raymond buyout.

 

[InfinityIggy]

This is why I am on board with a Raymond buyout.

I think there must be a team that would be willing to take him on. However yes if he can't be moved I wouldn't mind them buying him out.

 

[Dertell]

Why are we assuming Colborne is in the top 12.

Worth keeping in mind if BT buyout Raymond it's $1,050,000 of dead money for the next four years. I'd rather wait a year to buy anyone out.

 

[Lunatik]

Why are we assuming Colborne is in the top 12.

Worth keeping in mind if BT buyout Raymond it's $1,050,000 of dead money for the next four years. I'd rather wait a year to buy anyone out.

Why are we assuming Colborne is in the top 12? Are you kidding me?

Because we have seen him play.

 

[Dertell]

Why are we assuming Colborne is in the top 12? Are you kidding me?

Because we have seen him play.

Seen plays die on his stick hundreds of time, yes.

 

[Lunatik]

Seen plays die on his stick hundreds of time, yes.

Same could be said for literally every player on the team.

Colborne played the entire season with a wrist injury and never left the top 9. He was one of the most physical forwards on the team. In the playoffs he was one of the best players on the team and played a 2nd line role. Thinking he will be out of the top 9 shows a serious lack of rational thought into the subject.

 

[Anglesmith]

Yeah, count me among those who are eager to see Colborne back with no wrist injury. He's got special talents that no one else on the team has, and is also one of the hardest workers. Like anyone else, he'll have to earn his spot in training camp, but based on his abilities, that shouldn't be hard.

 

[Ace Rimmer]

Seen plays die on his stick hundreds of time, yes.

Before or after he shattered his wrist?