The Calgary Flames have been a team that just hasn’t had enough to win in recent years. They sit just out of a playoff spot this season, and have made the playoffs in two of the last three. Just one playoff series win in that time has the team thinking it may not be the best time to buy, which is just fine for the Winnipeg Jets.
The Calgary Flames wish they were the Winnipeg Jets, in some ways. Both were in a bit of a rebuild and the Flames overachieved early but have seemingly plateaued. It’s not out of the question that the Jets could follow that route, but right now, they look better than the Flames ever did. Calgary hasn’t cracked 100 points in over a decade. Maybe it’s time to reset a bit.
The Flames have the young skill and time to make things happen. Taking one step back to take the necessary ones forward is okay. But not everyone on the roster is young enough for it. Heck, not everyone on the roster is capable of being on a better one. For what it’s worth, the Flames are considering this themselves.
Out of Calgary’s top four point-getters, none are over the age of 24. Johnny Gaudreau is the special player here, and there’s no chance they let him go. He’s the dude you build around long term, not ship out. Especially at 24. Matthew Tkachuk is 20, Sean Monahan is 23 and Dougie Hamilton is 24. Really makes you wonder how this team isn’t in a playoff spot as of now.
A few seasons ago, Mark Giordano was the guy to get. There was constant talk of a trade, and he was one of the best blue liners in the league. At 34, he’s still really good. Giordano’s also signed through his age 38 season at $6.75 million per. If you don’t get Karlsson, this is a trade to consider. The age is a roadblock, as is his minor injury history, but he’s a premium defenseman.
The Flames don’t have any unrestricted free agents of note to dangle, but there are still ways to upgrade the team in the near future.
Mike Smith has almost never been good. I never expected him to succeed in Calgary, and here he is with a .921 save percentage. Unbelievable. It’s almost like it’s hard to be a good netminder in Arizona. I know it took Calgary forever to find someone to stabilize the position, but Smith could be moved. I doubt Smith would be moved to Winnipeg at his salary ($4.25 million), but hey, maybe they would take picks and Steve Mason. Not that I’m advocating adding Mike Smith.
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TJ Brodie could be an option, but he’s neither cheap nor exceptional. If you’re upgrading at the margins, make sure it’s cheap. If it’s a sizable upgrade, go for it. Maybe Matt Stajan or Michael Frolik pique the interest of management. Frolik did once upon a time, but he’s overpaid. See my above note about marginal upgrades. Micheal Ferland seems like he could be useful, but not to Calgary in the near term. He’s the kind of guy who could fetch more in a trade for the future than use for the present.
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The Flames have a Michael (Frolik), a Micheal (Ferland) and a Mikael (Backlund). That’s not notable in any way except that it’s fun. Enjoy your evening.