Welcome back to another edition of CapFriendly Friday! If you are unfamiliar with CapFriendly Friday, it involves looking at trade proposals on CapFriendly.com‘s Armchair GM feature. The Armchair GM feature let’s users become the GM of their team, and make whatever moves they see fit.
We haven’t done a CapFriendly Friday since late November, in which the main focus was adding at the deadline. Now, with just three weeks until the deadline arrives, the Calgary Flames find themselves outside of the playoff picture. These next three weeks are extremely important, but right now, the Flames are in a pickle. The majority of fans seem to think that the team will still add, in an attempt to save the season. But, spending assets for rental players with a chance to miss is very sketchy.
As you can probably imagine, some of the proposals get our minds thinking and might make sense at the NHL level, while others are just straight up bonkers. I like to cover a little bit of both, so sit back, grab a snack, relax, and let’s laugh as we dive into some trade proposals. Let’s start with a trade proposal involving the Flames and Flyers
The Flyers trade James van Riemsdyk to the Flames
I looked into JVR as a trade candidate for the Flames last week, as he makes a ton of sense for the Flames as a trade candidate. If the Flames are going to add, it makes sense to go after a guy who will be too expensive for the majority of buyers. This will mean you could probably get JVR for cheaper than expected. However, trading a second- and third-round pick for JVR makes no sense given the position the Flames are in right now.
The Blues and Flames swap big name players
I wanted to include this one because it’s wild, but I love it. Of course the trade for Tarasenko already went down between the St. Louis Blues and New York Rangers. Nevertheless, this trade had almost zero chance of happening anyway, due to Markstrom having a no-move clause, and Tarasenko having a no-trade clause.
And I also don’t think there’s a world where the Blues want both Markstrom and Binnington making a lot of money to share a net. I would absolutely do this from a Flames perspective, as it could free up cap space next year and paves the way for a Vladar/Wolf tandem. Zero chance the Blues do this trade had they not made the trade with New York, but I love the craziness here. Thank you, CapFriendly user!
Luke Schenn is sent to the Flames for a draft pick
The Flames likely need to upgrade on Michael Stone, and Luke Schenn would no doubt be right up their alley. But, this is a move you make if you are firmly in a position to contend. Spending a high asset for what will be a sixth defenceman makes no sense given the Flames’ position.
The Predators trade Josi to the Flames
Another trade of pure chaos, and I love it. The Predators aren’t trading Josi, and would get a lot more than Backlund and Coleman if they did. Josi also has a no-move clause, so it is very doubtful he waives for Calgary, even if the Predators accept this silly deal. This deal makes no sense and I love it.
Acciari is traded to the Flames for Rooney and a draft pick
I don’t mind this trade, to be honest. The Flames should hold onto their picks right now, but losing a fourth-rounder wouldn’t be the end of the world. I like Noel Acciari a lot, and he would be a perfect fit on the Flames roster. Getting rid of Kevin Rooney and his $1.3M next year is a massive plus.
The Flames sell Hanifin to the Bruins for DeBrusk and draft picks
We end with this deal on purpose, because it gets the juices flowing, and is a deal I’d make every day. Trading Noah Hanifin could make some sense for the Flames going forward, as they already have Weegar signed long-term, and Zadorov has taken a big step this year. Kylington’s status remains a factor as well, and he could return later this year, or next. We continue to wish him all the best.
Hanifin has this year and next at a cap hit of $4.95M, then he will be looking for a long-term deal. I don’t think the Flames should be committing long-term to any more players, given the situation they are in. In the proposed deal, the Flames land a top-six winger, and get two picks. I have to say, I like this deal a lot, especially when you include the extensions proposed by this user.
Time is ticking
These next three weeks are going to be filled with trade talk, and the direction of this team will be made clear. It has the potential to be Brad Treliving’s last deadline as General Manager of the Flames. There will be a ton of trade proposals in the coming weeks, and we will be back next Friday to discuss some more deals.
Photo by Brett Holmes/Icon Sportswire
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