No thanks, that's a lot of mediocrity

DO you have any idea who Poulin is?

Edit: btw «mediocrity» is what I would describe the overall Flames' franchise over the past 1/2 decade.

And before you come screaming at me and calling my Rangers «mediocre», well just know that I'd also classify the Rangers from 2015-2018 as «mediocre»

massive overpay for midget winger day?

Poulin is a decent prospect, probably middle 6. POJ is ok but nothing special. Riikola is a bottom pair/7th D. Clang is a coin flip since he's a goalie. Late first is a late first

Well without magic beans mediocre begets mediocre and 60-70 point a season undersized wingers are pretty commonplace. That's usually second line maybe elite 3rd line production. Definitely not an untouchable franchise cornerstone.

That said, I agree nothing about this is particularly appealing. I would suggest the Flames could find a better combination of prospects & picks elsewhere and not have to retain salary. Even if it is next offseason, or at the trade deadline with any luck. Unfortunately I think we are stuck in the current hamster wheel of mediocrity for another season and the Flames lack self awareness & forethought so they are already past the point of being able to get a quality return for Gaudreau (or Monahan, Gio, Backlund or Ryan for that matter.) As such.... grab a beer & prepare for disappointment Flames fans.

That’s a big pay; Poulin, PO-Joseph and Rikkoli would be plenty. And maybe a 2nd or 3rd. But 2 top 100 prospects would be plenty. And the Pens organization thinks Riikoli can be a top 4 D too. Plays the RD as well as LD. His floor is a really good, two-way 7th D, again that can play both sides equally well. Pens even played him on the wing last year. Can score.

Pens do not think Riikola is a top 4 defenseman lmao

Yeah he is maybe a 7th dman but no way top 4 lol.

I would accept this trade as a Pens fan lol

They think he has top 4 potential. Start of his 3rd year out of Russia. The contract this off-season was a reward cause they like him. Sure they do. Google it. You’ll find articles saying the organization thinks he has top 4 potential. He just turned 27. Yes, not young for a prospect. But like usual free agents from Russia, got signed and came over at 25. He’s not this year, obviously. He’s our 7-8th D. We have too much depth. But they’ve said. he’s only played with bottom pairing D last year, a lot with Jack Johnson. They would like to seem him play more time with top 4 guys even this year.

The organization thinks very highly of him.