<p>We&#8217;re into the final week of August, pals, and everyone in the hockey world is trying to squeeze out one last ounce of vacation before diving head-long into the grind that is the hockey season. As we prepare for the inevitable dive into the deep end, let&#8217;s check in with the mailbag.</p>
<p></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">&#8211; Are Stone and Ritchie waiting for Tre to finish his other moves before re-signing?<br />&#8211; Which option is best for RW?<br />1) Sign Rodrigues<br />2) Trade Vali for another fringe NHLer who plays RW to add competition<br />3) Move Mangiapane to RW<br />4) Leave spot open for Phillips, Pelletier, or PTO</p>
<p>&mdash; m 👑 (@miletwt) <a href="https://twitter.com/miletwt/status/1564076255338975232?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 29, 2022</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>For Michael Stone and Brett Ritchie, it&#8217;s hard to say what they&#8217;re doing. They both likely have options outside of Calgary to consider, but considering how well they fit their roles as the extra defender and forward respectively, perhaps they&#8217;re waiting for camp to begin to solidify their 2022-23 plans.</p>
<p>For right wing? The easiest thing to do is make a signing like Evan Rodrigues.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Can Dube take the next step this season? Last year he was all over in the lineup and still had 18 goals. Would he fit with Kadri and Mangiapani as a fast line?</p>
<p>&mdash; asimpleplan (@asimpleplan1) <a href="https://twitter.com/asimpleplan1/status/1564284218213289984?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 29, 2022</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>The big question with Dillon Dube heading into the season is this: what is he?</p>
<p>So far in his pro career, he&#8217;s been a slightly less good version of Andrew Mangiapane. You can look at everything Dube&#8217;s good at and compare him to #88, and you can make a pretty good case that Mangiapane is better at that particular thing. If Dube&#8217;s going to carve out a niche on the team, he needs to figure out what he brings to the table that nobody else does and find a way to emphasize those qualities.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">What do you think the price of acquiring Barzal would be?</p>
<p>&mdash; Tom (@tommyhuge) <a href="https://twitter.com/tommyhuge/status/1564024334225899520?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 28, 2022</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>Too much. He&#8217;s making $7 million, and the Flames would need to move out a high pick, a good prospect, and enough roster cap space to make such a trade viable. And then figure out how to afford Mathew Barzal long-term.</p>
<p>Just can&#8217;t see how it works.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Ryan love the pod!<br />Given the Flames depth on D let’s say you trade Valimaki and Kylington(young D men with upside) plus a second round pick. What could that get on the open market for a top 6 forward ($4M moved plus $2M cap)from a team looking for D depth?</p>
<p>&mdash; Paul (@bigdaddybustard) <a href="https://twitter.com/bigdaddybustard/status/1564024312977571840?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 28, 2022</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>Oliver Kylington is the young player on the blueline that has trade value. Right now, Juuso Valimaki is a waiver piece – and he&#8217;ll need a good camp to prove that he&#8217;s got NHL upside. But you&#8217;re probably looking at a money-in, money-out swap if you move Kylington for a forward, so you&#8217;re probably getting a third line body rather than a top six player based on the economics of it.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">With Valimaki, Mackey, Meloche all possibly depth guys on D, while the F group is a bit sparse after the top 12 guys, how likely is it the Flames carry 8D and 13F, or is a roster balancing move coming?</p>
<p>&mdash; Raptors Enjoyer (@raptors_enjoyer) <a href="https://twitter.com/raptors_enjoyer/status/1564091132807884803?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 29, 2022</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>The Flames probably won&#8217;t carry eight defenders because then you have too many guys sitting idle – especially with the top six group looking so solidified, it would be tough to keep the extra players active and engaged in that situation.</p>
<p>I would suspect the Flames would look for a roster balancing move, or just send a player down through waivers to the Wranglers to get playing.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Was Sutter out coached in round two? What can he do better next BOA playoff series? Maybe match lines?</p>
<p>&mdash; Ryan Murphy (@ryam75) <a href="https://twitter.com/ryam75/status/1564025522954588160?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 28, 2022</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>It was more a lack of defensive depth than Darryl Sutter getting out-coached. When Chris Tanev got hurt, and with Nikita Zadorov and Oliver Kylington already nursing injuries, it made it impossible to roll three pairs and four lines with the style and pace that the Flames needed to have to get past Edmonton.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Where will the money come from for Weegars possible extension?</p>
<p>&mdash; Erkka Peltohaka (@EPeltohaka) <a href="https://twitter.com/EPeltohaka/status/1564022501830807554?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 28, 2022</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>It probably comes from Milan Lucic.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">What&#39;s going on with Ruzicka&#39;s negotiations?</p>
<p>&mdash; Concerned Citizen (@ConcernedCi) <a href="https://twitter.com/ConcernedCi/status/1564059079269847040?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 29, 2022</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>Right now Adam Ruzicka remains the last unsigned restricted free agent for the Flames, and I would suggest it&#8217;s probably because of questions (on both sides of the negotiation) about what Ruzicka is right now. Is he on the cusp of becoming a regular NHLer? Does he need to go back to the AHL for a bit more seasoning before he&#8217;s ready for everyday duty?</p>
<p>If there was a clear consensus on what Ruzicka is, he probably would&#8217;ve been signed by now.</p>
<h2><em><strong>The FlamesNation mailbag is brought to you by Deuce Vodka!</strong></em></h2>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-84132 size-large" src="https://flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/06/Deuce-1024x548.png" alt="" width="1024" height="548" srcset="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/06/Deuce-1024x548.png 1024w, https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/06/Deuce-300x161.png 300w, https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/06/Deuce-768x411.png 768w, https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/06/Deuce.png 1259w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></p>
<p>&#8220;In life, there are so many moments to celebrate, I don’t want to waste a great moment on a bad drink. That’s why I choose Deuce Vodka.&#8221; – Brett Kissel. <a href="https://deucevodka.com/find-us/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow external" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://deucevodka.com/find-us/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1624366597485000&amp;usg=AFQjCNGn1EzuRMQb344_jV_hL0rgyjwHYA">Click here to find Deuce Vodka in a store near you.</a></p>
<h2><strong><a href="https://flamesnation.ca/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer follow" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://flamesnation.ca/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1643426444783000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0ZoMy36-f05a90iD5z8D6E" data-wpel-link="internal">More from FlamesNation</a></strong></h2>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://flamesnation.ca/2022/08/20/what-can-nazem-kadri-bring-to-the-calgary-flames/" rel="v:url follow" data-wpel-link="internal">What can Nazem Kadri bring to the Calgary Flames?</a></li>
<li><a href="https://flamesnation.ca/2022/08/19/farewell-sean-monahan/" rel="v:url follow" data-wpel-link="internal">The Calgary Flames’ rebuild could have failed without Sean Monahan</a></li>
<li><a href="https://flamesnation.ca/2022/08/25/the-salary-cap-could-be-going-up-a-lot-for-the-2024-25-season/">The salary cap could be going up (a lot) for the 2024-25 season</a></li>
</ul>

We're into the final week of August, pals, and everyone in the hockey world is trying to squeeze out one last ounce of vacation before diving head-long into the grind that is the hockey season. As we prepare for the inevitable dive into the deep end, let's check in with the mailbag.



https://twitter.com/miletwt/status/1564076255338975232

For Michael Stone and Brett Ritchie, it's hard to say what they're doing. They both likely have options outside of Calgary to consider, but considering how well they fit their roles as the extra defender and forward respectively, perhaps they're waiting for camp to begin to solidify their 2022-23 plans.

For right wing? The easiest thing to do is make a signing like Evan Rodrigues.

https://twitter.com/asimpleplan1/status/1564284218213289984

The big question with Dillon Dube heading into the season is this: what is he?

So far in his pro career, he's been a slightly less good version of Andrew Mangiapane. You can look at everything Dube's good at and compare him to #88, and you can make a pretty good case that Mangiapane is better at that particular thing. If Dube's going to carve out a niche on the team, he needs to figure out what he brings to the table that nobody else does and find a way to emphasize those qualities.

https://twitter.com/tommyhuge/status/1564024334225899520

Too much. He's making $7 million, and the Flames would need to move out a high pick, a good prospect, and enough roster cap space to make such a trade viable. And then figure out how to afford Mathew Barzal long-term.

Just can't see how it works.

https://twitter.com/bigdaddybustard/status/1564024312977571840

Oliver Kylington is the young player on the blueline that has trade value. Right now, Juuso Valimaki is a waiver piece – and he'll need a good camp to prove that he's got NHL upside. But you're probably looking at a money-in, money-out swap if you move Kylington for a forward, so you're probably getting a third line body rather than a top six player based on the economics of it.

https://twitter.com/raptors_enjoyer/status/1564091132807884803

The Flames probably won't carry eight defenders because then you have too many guys sitting idle – especially with the top six group looking so solidified, it would be tough to keep the extra players active and engaged in that situation.

I would suspect the Flames would look for a roster balancing move, or just send a player down through waivers to the Wranglers to get playing.

https://twitter.com/ryam75/status/1564025522954588160

It was more a lack of defensive depth than Darryl Sutter getting out-coached. When Chris Tanev got hurt, and with Nikita Zadorov and Oliver Kylington already nursing injuries, it made it impossible to roll three pairs and four lines with the style and pace that the Flames needed to have to get past Edmonton.

https://twitter.com/EPeltohaka/status/1564022501830807554

It probably comes from Milan Lucic.

https://twitter.com/ConcernedCi/status/1564059079269847040

Right now Adam Ruzicka remains the last unsigned restricted free agent for the Flames, and I would suggest it's probably because of questions (on both sides of the negotiation) about what Ruzicka is right now. Is he on the cusp of becoming a regular NHLer? Does he need to go back to the AHL for a bit more seasoning before he's ready for everyday duty?

If there was a clear consensus on what Ruzicka is, he probably would've been signed by now.
<h2><em><strong>The FlamesNation mailbag is brought to you by Deuce Vodka!</strong></em></h2>
<img class="aligncenter wp-image-84132 size-large" src="https://flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/06/Deuce-1024x548.png" alt="" width="1024" height="548" />

"In life, there are so many moments to celebrate, I don’t want to waste a great moment on a bad drink. That’s why I choose Deuce Vodka." – Brett Kissel. <a href="https://deucevodka.com/find-us/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow external" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://deucevodka.com/find-us/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1624366597485000&amp;usg=AFQjCNGn1EzuRMQb344_jV_hL0rgyjwHYA">Click here to find Deuce Vodka in a store near you.</a>
<h2><strong><a href="https://flamesnation.ca/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer follow" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://flamesnation.ca/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1643426444783000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0ZoMy36-f05a90iD5z8D6E" data-wpel-link="internal">More from FlamesNation</a></strong></h2>
<ul>
 	<li><a href="https://flamesnation.ca/2022/08/20/what-can-nazem-kadri-bring-to-the-calgary-flames/" rel="v:url follow" data-wpel-link="internal">What can Nazem Kadri bring to the Calgary Flames?</a></li>
 	<li><a href="https://flamesnation.ca/2022/08/19/farewell-sean-monahan/" rel="v:url follow" data-wpel-link="internal">The Calgary Flames’ rebuild could have failed without Sean Monahan</a></li>
 	<li><a href="https://flamesnation.ca/2022/08/25/the-salary-cap-could-be-going-up-a-lot-for-the-2024-25-season/">The salary cap could be going up (a lot) for the 2024-25 season</a></li>
</ul>

FlamesNation Mailbag: Closing out August

Recent articles from Ryan Pike

Breaking News