I am certainly thinking about this... I think it all comes down to whether or not you think Frolik is a + or a dump in this trade. If he is a dump then cgy needs to add a pick (for tor giving up the younger player signed to more term), if Frolik can actually add something then maybe not. Either way it is enough to make me think. Any chance we switch Johnny for Matt?

Well Frolik adds more than Spezza, that's for sure.

And no I don't think Tkachuk's available.

Edit: Or to make it more clear, Frolik adds a bit more than Spezza, but mostly evens out the money in the exchange.

Personally I don't see Frolik as a huge +, if one at all. Spezza has been fine and considering the player ramifications of moving the home town boy who signed for pennies I don't think I am in favour of that.

I think if some trade were to happen with Mitch going to CGY that Tkachuk would have to be the one going back due to age and team needs.
Gotta wonder what Marner for Tkachuk 1-for would do.
Marner has the ability to be the better player style wise for JG (Imagine Gaudreau-Monahan-Marner) and for team composition (CGY weak on right) but carries the high aav (albeit for 6 years).
Tkachuk brings that edge we lost from Kadri to the room and some more physicality, along with being an elite transition player (a-la Nylander) while being cheaper (for less term) and helping our weak left.

I know CGY loves MT, and the whole contract talks soured many opinions on Mitch but overall I think that could ultimately be a decent trade.

Tkachuk-JT-Kapanen
Johnsson-Matthews-Nylander
Hyman-Kerfoot-Moore
Timashov-Engvall-Spezza

Gaudreau-Monahan-Marner
Mangiapane-Backlund-Lindholm
Bennett-Ryan-Dube
Lucic-Jank-Frolik

Still think the wisest move for CGY is to move Gaudreau in a move like this. He has 3 years left there, and I can't see him re-signing. Most likely he wants to return US. Tkachuk have much more years left, and to be fair Tkachuk-Monahan-Marner line sounds just as saucy, or potentially more, since it has optimal blend of talent and physicality.

Not to mention that Tkachuk is also the best scorer of CGY this year. Statistically he's above both Gaudreau and Marner, and contractually as well.

Just imagine what will happen in 3 years when Tkachuk and Rielly both need new deals. Tkachuk will have a QO at that time of 9 million and I bet he'll command a 12 million dollar a year deal minimum by then.

Yes

What about swapping out Frolik for Hamonic and Spezza for Barrie?

Maybe. Still don't like moving Barrie at a low point

Same, I would like to see him get 1pp time to get him going, after all, that's his bread and butter, but I think he' playing scared to make a mistake as most on this team are. That being said, I don't foresee babs giving him that opportunity here so maybe a change of scenery could get him going. Just a thought... But I would love to swap out JG for MK as you alluded to also.