The Fourth Period: The Calgary Flames are through a quasi-hybrid rebuild retool. They have some veteran they could move out and build around their younger core.
** NHLRumors.com transcription
Ryan Paton: “But Dennis, Calgary is selling pieces, Blake Coleman, Morgan Frost, (Zach) Whitecloud. Do they just tear this down to the studs?
Bernstein: “No, this isn’t well, it’s not a normal retool anymore. This is, it’s weird, it’s a hybrid, it’s a rebuild leaning retool. Here’s what I’d do here, I got it. Just Craig, Craig Conroy, just sit down and listen. I got it for you. You keep Dustin Wolf, Matt Coronado, Connor Zary, (Zayne) Parekh top prospects, and premium picks.
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These veterans have more value to contenders than to Calgary’s next true window. You avoid spending picks and prospects to chase for a wild card sport. Again, you’re pointing towards the new building. You’re not going to chase a wild-card spot. The identity needs to be younger, faster, draft-heavy, and cap flexible. Here’s the deal.
The Rasmus Anderson trade ended the debate. Calgary isn’t retooling around the old core anymore, it’s rebuilding around the next one. The only question is, is whether Craig Conroy has the discipline to finish the job.
Paton: “I mentioned the names, Dave. So, what can they acquire in your mind for their assets that they do have in the roster, currently?
Pagnotta: “Yeah, they’re not looking to recoup, to Dennis’ point, more draft picks and projects, I guess, in the prospect ranks. They want young NHL quality players, or those that are on the cusp.
And if it’s packaging things up in order to get that, that seems to be the priority. They have the six overall pick, and they have explored moving up.
But outside of that, like I believe there was a trade in place with Dallas ahead of the trade deadline involving Blake Coleman, had the stars moved out money. And the money was Ilya Lyubushkin, which is why you’re hearing his name now. That may still be a possibility this offseason.
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Morgan Frost, in the final year of his deal, solid center, could fill the role in a 2c maybe even a 3c with some teams. He’s available.
There are other players beyond the ones we’ve mentioned that are available, But it looks like Calgary is willing to go down this path, but they want to start bringing in those pieces that, like Dennis said, quasi hybrid rebuild style, and start gearing up for a little bit of extra competitiveness once the new building opens in a couple seasons.”
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