Quoting: ItWasIn
I think one of Gaudreau and Monahan will be moved in the summer, maybe both.
I don't think the returns for either would be very impressive, I think Gaudreau would have more interest than Monahan though.
For Gaudreau, I think it would be something like the Hall from NJ to ARI deal. 1st and 3rd as well as a pair of decent prospects. Lots of Flames fans would be disappointed, but I think that is about what we can expect.
With Monahan I'd kind of look at the Duchene from OTT to CBJ deal. 1st and a pair of decent prospects.
It doesn't make the Flames necessarily any better, but at LW they can go Tkachuk and Mangiapane in their top 6 and at C they can go Lindholm and Backlund down the middle, while stocking up on some futures. I think it would be a mistake for the Flames to look for "hockey deals", because they aren't getting an equal talent to Gaudreau and you're just holding off the inevitable, which is stockpiling picks because I do think the Flames are very close to being a team that needs a rebuild.
You could very well be right.
The Devils are deep down the middle which may allow them to make a deal as proposed, but, the same deal.could be made for a 1st, Merkley and Boquist idea.
For me moving foward, Tkachuk and Lindholm have been great. Dube as all sorts of potential. In the system.... Emilio Petterson could turn out to be a steal, while guys like Prosipil and Ruzsika look to form a decent 4th line (maybe 3rd). The 2nd line has misfired for 3 years. Clear some space. Fill some gaps..... but the system in Calgary is not great overall. Lacks D depth and tending.
Moving Monahan, I had that idea. Now, as it's been pointed out, my ask was mybe lofty, but still, a 1st with a solid prospect (circle back to Bemström or Loudy) certainly fits the bill.
Backlund as a 2nd line centre is solid enough if the RW is filled out with a short term solution allowing sheltered minutes down the line.
Something as to give. This team on paper is good. On the ice - the chemistry is terrible.