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Calgary Flames: Summer To-Do List

By Tomas Oppolzer

SYLVAN LAKE, CANADA - SEPTEMBER 24: The Calgary Flames locker room prior to facing the Arizona Coyotes during Day 4 of NHL Kraft Hockeyville at Fox Run School on September 24, 2014 in Sylvan Lake, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images)
SYLVAN LAKE, CANADA - SEPTEMBER 24: The Calgary Flames locker room prior to facing the Arizona Coyotes during Day 4 of NHL Kraft Hockeyville at Fox Run School on September 24, 2014 in Sylvan Lake, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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DETROIT, MI – APRIL 07 2018: (Photo by Dave Reginek/NHLI via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI – APRIL 07 2018: (Photo by Dave Reginek/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Add Offensive Talent

It’s no secret that the Flames are lacking the top six forward department, as much as I love Micheal Ferland, there’s just no way they succeed with him as their top right wing. He’s much more suited for a mid-6 role and the team would be better off with that too. What the team really needs to do add a top line player this summer. While not an easy task, there are a couple ways to do that.

BROOKLYN, NY – APRIL 05: (Photo by Dennis Schneidler/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
BROOKLYN, NY – APRIL 05: (Photo by Dennis Schneidler/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

First, a fun option is adding John Tavares in free agency. There have been rumblings that they could be in on him. If the Flames could make that work, it would immediately change their dynamic and make them a legit threat. Some shuffling would need to happen but it would obviously be worth it. Center depth featuring Tavares, Sean Monahan, and Mikael Backlund would be right up there with the best.

The other, more reasonable option, is to add a winger via trade. While they don’t have the picks to make a trade work, instead this is where the aforementioned TJ Brodie trade would happen. The team could trade him to a team that lacks defense for a forward. In the same fashion as the Seth Jones–Ryan Johansen trade.

One team that pops out in particular as a defense-needing team are the New York Rangers. Going into next season they only have a couple good defenders signed. Brodie would immediately help the Rangers and he could be had for impending RFA, Kevin Hayes. This would also allow the Rangers to sign Brady Skjei without having to worry about another big RFA.

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