Exploring the FlamesNation Mailbag: Unpacking Trade Rumors and Goalkeeping Duties for the Remainder of the Season

Friends, the All-Star Break is in the rearview mirror and your intrepid editor-in-chief is waiting at the airport for a flight back to the mainland. In the meantime, let’s dive into the mailbag as we’re about to enter a hectic portion of the schedule as the Calgary Flames march towards the March 3rd trade deadline.

I know he was still good, but has Lindholm’s finishing ability actually deteriorated?

— Steave (@Svenny9) February 5, 2023

In Elias Lindholm’s entire NHL career prior to this season, he fired about 2.16 shots per game and hit on about 12.6% of his shots. If you just focus on his Flames tenure, it’s 2.48 shots per game and 16.2% of those shots. This season, Lindholm has had 2.24 shots per game and has scored 13.8% of those shots. He generates slightly less than usual and encounters them slightly less often. Percentage-wise, he seems in need of a bounce, but unless his line can generate more consistent chances, it’s likely his production will dip somewhat compared to earlier in his tenure at Flames.

Darryl Sutter is under contract for the next two seasons (2023-24 and 2024-25). Unless he decides he’s had enough of coaching the Flames and wants to return to the farm, he will be the Flames coach for the next two seasons. If you were a Flames owner, don’t be in a hurry to cut a trainer, hire a new one, and pay multiple trainers if you can avoid it.

I just saw something about them #Flames possible takeover of Vladimir Tarasenko? And possibly sending Lucic to the blues – is there anything true/false about that?

— Auto Culhane (@cculhane96) February 5, 2023

The problem with Vladimir Tarasenko is this: his complete no trade. The Flames (and Blues general manager Doug Armstrong) would have to convince him to give up his no-trade to come to Calgary. The Blues would also need to keep half of Tarasenko’s cap hit for the cap math to work, and given his powerful cap hit, that would be the only move the Flames could make – barring LTIR shenanigans.

Ditto for Milan Lucic: he has a full no-move clause and a no-trade that limits him to 10 teams. (This means he can forgo his no-move, but he still retains control over where he lands.) He would need to be convinced that turning his life upside down is the best move for him, to go to St. Louis.

Any clues as to when #Flames will start making some trades? I’ve seen a lot of rumours!

— Auto Culhane (@cculhane96) February 5, 2023

Under Brad Treliving, the Flames have attempted to strike a balance between early trades (so players can fit into the team) and later trades (so they can maximize their cap flexibility). I would suggest that when the dominoes start falling in terms of trading, they don’t do so until the last week of February.

What is the breakdown of goalkeeping starts for the rest of the season? Who starts game #1 of the playoffs?

— Alasdair Robinson (@Alasdair07) February 5, 2023

32 games of the season remain. I would suggest Jacob Markstrom gets at least 20 of these. Dan Vladar is playing really well, but his role is that of the team’s staunch backup, and his appearance is all about helping Markstrom get ready for Game 1 of the playoffs. Expect the Flames to have that goal in mind by splitting up goalkeeping duties on the stretch.

If Brad isn’t the GM next season. Who do you think would replace him and who would you like to replace?

— Preston (@PAWS1981) February 5, 2023

If Treliving doesn’t return with the Flames in 2023-24, the identity of the person in the big chair will depend entirely on the circumstances of Treliving’s imaginary/hypothetical departure.

When it comes to Treliving wanting to try other challenges, maybe we’ll see someone like Craig Conroy rise to the top job. When it comes to property that wants a new direction, then it could be a whole new face.

Personally, I’d be shocked if there was a new GM, if only because it seems like there has been an improvement in organization and ownership under Treliving appears how they dislike making massive changes unless there is an urgent need for it.

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Source: flamesnation.ca