that would be a really stupid trade

Hahahahahahahaha

Is it that bad or that far off ?

It's that lack of direction would be the best word to describe it.

The probable best comparisons to Lafreniere right now outside of teammate Kakko and former draft mate Dach would probably be the Flames and Coyotes former letdowns Sam Bennett and Dylan Strome. They aren't busts clearly but both definitely had their share of early career struggles considering their draft pedigree

Now it's entirely possible that in a change of scenery Lafreniere becomes something like a 70-80 point player when given a more defined role, however that is a massive risk especially when you are trading your teams arguably 2 best players from this season. Making a move like this both eliminates the Flames chances of competing next year while also preventing them from trying to rebuild properly through the draft. Whether that be a full rebuild (unlikely with last summers extensions) or a partial rebuild (like LA where they did it pretty successfully with a 31 year old Kopitar and a 29 year old Doughty).

Well, I'm in.

Why would the Pens trade for a worse version of DeSmith who costs more?

Lafs value is really hard to gauge. I believe that New York isn't completely ready to let him go as he has all the tools to be a legit top line player.

Lack of direction isn't true though, I was looking for players who are skilled as the Flames already have enough of the same thing.

Mittelstadt is flawed defensively but still has great skill. He could be a solid second line centre for the Flames for years to come. Laf offers size skill and speed and at the least is a solid 2nd line winger. Both players improve the long term future with the Flames.

If ever we cannot at least compete for a playoff spot with that roster, you sell off all of Backlund, Kylington, Hanifin, Olofsson and Zadorov at the deadline. Thus starting a rebuild with some really solid young players already on the team.

Flames need to stop building on two way players and focus more on a speed and skill game.

Easy no thanks for the Rangers. Not trading Laffy for 1 year rentals.

Rangers do it if they can get extensions done

Well put: Lindholm is the closest thing to a 1C this team had in 30 years. If we are trading him, it kinda puts the whole future into question.

I like middlestadt, but he isn't a 1C

No Monahan was pretty close to legit before injuries ruined him. Similar to Tyler Seguin. Lindholm is better but Monahan was probably a top 20 center a couple at least a few years