What The Flames Should Do

Team: 2018-19 Calgary Flames

Initial Creation Date: Apr. 20, 2018

Published: Apr. 20, 2018

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

I don't think the Hamonic fit has been good in Calgary, but he could be a very good fit beside a guy like Morgan Rielly in Toronto. My preference would be to move TJ Brodie back to the right side with Giordano, where he had his best years, then have Hamilton anchor a pairing with a natural left side defender, someone fairly cheap in UFA like Thomas Hickey.

I signed Hickey, Kulak and Pateryn to provide a bit of a buffer for injuries and the development of Andersson, Valimaki, Kylington and Fox over the next couple of years. If any of them exceed expectations and are ready to step in immediately, the older guys can play 3rd pairing or be healthy scratched if needed.

The return on Hamonic nets Calgary a young winger with good scoring upside (scored a ton in junior and the AHL) and two guys who haven't quite been able to crack the Leafs roster, but might be able to get in with Calgary.

In the bottom 6, it's time to stop playing the overpaid veterans who are too slow, and turn it over to the kids - Mangiapane, Jankowski, Foo, Dube, etc. There's tons of cap space to make a few veteran UFA one year signings if needed, but I don't think it's necessary.

If, and it's a big if, John Tavares becomes available, the Flames should be in heavily on him. If they do manage to sign him, some more significant moves can be made to accommodate, but I think it's unlikely they actually get him signed.

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