Équipe: 2017-18 Flames de Calgary

Date de création initiale: 8 août 2017

Publié: 8 août 2017

Mode - plafond salarial: Basique

First look: Calgary is one of the many teams filled with young stars and is also one of the few teams to have THAT good of a defensive corps. And as much as I didn't like the Mike Smith trade at first, I've grown to really like Mike and what he can do with the puck. His puck playing skills should compliment the mobile defense of the Flames nicely, and he is a very capable goalie. Let's see, I believe his career save percentage is .914, which is about average when you think about goalies. Also, the forward group of of Monahan, Bennet, and Tkachuck they have capable scoring. I don't really see anything that NEEDS to be changed, but a trade was still made. Notice how I didn't talk about Johnny Hockey in the forward group? Well. Yeah. I also signed Boyes because I don't want to rush any of the young prospects in the AHL.

The trade: Johnny Gaudreau for Taylor Hall and a 2018 3rd. I think that their is no doubt in anybody's mind that Johnny Hockey is... more talented than Hall. Not that Taylor isn't talented because let me tell you, anybody that can go 1 for 1 with Adam Larsson is extremely talented. Whoops, sorry EDM fans. Bad joke. Anyways, Taylor Hall is indeed very talented and has a nice goal scoring touch, but he didn't produce this year like many thought he would. Does that sound familiar? Johnny Gaudreau had a down year too, and not that Gaudreau won't produce in Calgary this year (I don't see him moving) but Taylor Hall also brings a physical side to his game that is very intimidating. To make up for the difference in skill however, I added a 3rd from this years deep draft. In reality this 3 has the value of a mid to late round 2nd in a normal draft. Can you imagine Calagry and Edmonton in the playoffs? HALL VS THE OLD TEAM!!!

How will Calgary do: The Sharks and Flames are gonna be so close this year, and I believe one of the 2 will miss the playoffs. This is because the Central will most likely have 5 teams in the playoffs with another competing for the 2nd wild card spot. But I think that San Jose is going to take a step back from losing Marleau and not really replacing him, and the Flames will grab that 3rd spot in the division.