<p>It&#8217;s mailbag time, friends. It&#8217;s finally July, and this month could be one of the busiest and most monumental in Calgary Flames history between free agency, an expansion draft and the annual NHL Draft.</p>
<p>Let&#8217;s dive in!</p>
<p></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Flames move back to Pacific div for &#39;21-22.  Vegas and Oilers seems obv. better than Flames; Ducks and Sharks and prob Kraken worse.  That leaves Cgy, Canucks, Kings battling for 3rd spot&#8230;who&#39;s your favorite for that spot?</p>
<p>&mdash; kingcambie (@kingcambie) <a href="https://twitter.com/kingcambie/status/1411810166870138880?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 4, 2021</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>The move to the Pacific Division is a nice one for the Flames. I agree with the notion that the best two teams, on paper, are Vegas and Edmonton. But that leaves one divisional spot and two wildcard spots up for grabs in the Western Conference playoff race. Calgary and Vancouver are probably neck-and-neck for the divisional spot. On paper, the Flames probably have a slight edge on Vancouver, but that also depends on what kind of shuffling they do this off-season.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Do NHL players have the NFL equivalent of &#39;OTAs&#39;?  Can teams practice in the summer? can players rehab under team supervision? Or are players on their own from garbage bag day till training camp?</p>
<p>&mdash; kingcambie (@kingcambie) <a href="https://twitter.com/kingcambie/status/1411808833647779841?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 4, 2021</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>They do, yes. Injured players rehab under team supervision until they get their medical release indicating they&#8217;re back at 100%. Players are able to work out under team supervision under specific circumstances &#8211; it&#8217;s more complex during COVID, obviously &#8211; but usually they skate in informal groups and work out using plans set out by the Flames (and amplified by their own personal trainers).</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Does Oil Kings G Cossa get drafted in the 1st round?</p>
<p>&mdash; kingcambie (@kingcambie) <a href="https://twitter.com/kingcambie/status/1411808971581657088?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 4, 2021</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>Yes. He&#8217;ll get drafted after Jesper Wallstedt, who&#8217;ll probably go Top 10, but Sebastian Cossa probably gets drafted somewhere between 20th and 25th overall. He&#8217;s really good.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Realistic or crazy (maybe both), what do you think is the most idiotic move the Flames could make this month, whether it’s someone traded, expansion draft, or entry draft?</p>
<p>&mdash; Nate Thomas (@tatenhomas) <a href="https://twitter.com/tatenhomas/status/1411811224598155268?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 4, 2021</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>A crazy move would be to acquire another forward that needs to be protected in the expansion draft. A realistic move would be to send significant assets, like a prospect or a second round pick, to Seattle to get them to avoid taking Mark Giordano. Giordano&#8217;s been a big part of the Flames for years, but spending assets to hold onto a 38-year-old defenseman isn&#8217;t a prudent move for where the Flames are in their progression. If they&#8217;re one piece away from a Stanley Cup, you hold onto Giordano and roll the dice. If you&#8217;re coming off missing the playoffs, it&#8217;s not as smart a move.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Your prediction for the expansion draft protected or unprotected list?</p>
<p>&mdash; Zach Nelson (@ZachNel94375526) <a href="https://twitter.com/ZachNel94375526/status/1411820796662607873?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 4, 2021</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>Right now: Jacob Markstrom, Chris Tanev, Noah Hanifin, Rasmus Andersson, Sean Monahan, Johnny Gaudreau, Elias Lindholm, Mikael Backlund, Dillon Dube, Matthew Tkachuk and Andrew Mangiapane.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">If the Kraken do indeed end up drafting Gio, who do you see as a replacement given his veteran leadership attributes, whether it be by trade or free agency?</p>
<p>&mdash; Rob Trevisan (@rtrevy) <a href="https://twitter.com/rtrevy/status/1411822832351203328?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 4, 2021</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>Honestly, there&#8217;s no way to replace Mark Giordano if he&#8217;s claimed. He&#8217;s a unicorn. But him leaving opens up $6.75 million of cap space at a time where the cap isn&#8217;t moving at all for the next few seasons. For leadership, the Flames would still have folks like Mikael Backlund, Milan Lucic and Chris Tanev. If Giordano&#8217;s claimed, they should use the cap flexibility to upgrade their roster rather than trying to replace his specific attributes.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">What’s substantial move if any do you see the flames making?</p>
<p>&mdash; Jus (@JMABE5555) <a href="https://twitter.com/JMABE5555/status/1411808316632621058?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 4, 2021</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>Based on all the chatter, it really seems to be looking like Sean Monahan could be the big-name player moved this summer. Who knows what that trade looks like, though.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Hi Ryan miss you at the Dome.  Should the Flames choose a goalie if one of them drop to 12 ?? Or go for a sniper ?</p>
<p>&mdash; Edward (@zimester) <a href="https://twitter.com/zimester/status/1411809785821810692?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 4, 2021</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>If it&#8217;s up to me, I&#8217;d have the Flames draft a forward. There are tons of effective young forwards expected to be available around where the Flames pick, including the likes of Mason McTavish, Fabian Lysell, Chaz Lucius, Cole Sillinger and Matthew Coronato.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">We need to rebuild on the Fly, how do you do it?</p>
<p>&mdash; Metiswarrior (@Metiswarrior1) <a href="https://twitter.com/Metiswarrior1/status/1411818497772986370?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 4, 2021</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>The key is smart asset swaps. Look at the trade they made with Carolina for Noah Hanifin and Elias Lindholm as an example: the Flames got younger, cheaper, and gained controllable years rather than losing players for nothing or running in place. If you do that enough with good players and can leverage your draft picks well, you can change up your team&#8217;s core without having to free-fall in the standings too much.</p>
<h2><em><strong>The FlamesNation mailbag is brought to you by Deuce Vodka!</strong></em></h2>
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It's mailbag time, friends. It's finally July, and this month could be one of the busiest and most monumental in Calgary Flames history between free agency, an expansion draft and the annual NHL Draft.

Let's dive in!



https://twitter.com/kingcambie/status/1411810166870138880

The move to the Pacific Division is a nice one for the Flames. I agree with the notion that the best two teams, on paper, are Vegas and Edmonton. But that leaves one divisional spot and two wildcard spots up for grabs in the Western Conference playoff race. Calgary and Vancouver are probably neck-and-neck for the divisional spot. On paper, the Flames probably have a slight edge on Vancouver, but that also depends on what kind of shuffling they do this off-season.

https://twitter.com/kingcambie/status/1411808833647779841

They do, yes. Injured players rehab under team supervision until they get their medical release indicating they're back at 100%. Players are able to work out under team supervision under specific circumstances - it's more complex during COVID, obviously - but usually they skate in informal groups and work out using plans set out by the Flames (and amplified by their own personal trainers).

https://twitter.com/kingcambie/status/1411808971581657088

Yes. He'll get drafted after Jesper Wallstedt, who'll probably go Top 10, but Sebastian Cossa probably gets drafted somewhere between 20th and 25th overall. He's really good.

https://twitter.com/tatenhomas/status/1411811224598155268

A crazy move would be to acquire another forward that needs to be protected in the expansion draft. A realistic move would be to send significant assets, like a prospect or a second round pick, to Seattle to get them to avoid taking Mark Giordano. Giordano's been a big part of the Flames for years, but spending assets to hold onto a 38-year-old defenseman isn't a prudent move for where the Flames are in their progression. If they're one piece away from a Stanley Cup, you hold onto Giordano and roll the dice. If you're coming off missing the playoffs, it's not as smart a move.

https://twitter.com/ZachNel94375526/status/1411820796662607873

Right now: Jacob Markstrom, Chris Tanev, Noah Hanifin, Rasmus Andersson, Sean Monahan, Johnny Gaudreau, Elias Lindholm, Mikael Backlund, Dillon Dube, Matthew Tkachuk and Andrew Mangiapane.

https://twitter.com/rtrevy/status/1411822832351203328

Honestly, there's no way to replace Mark Giordano if he's claimed. He's a unicorn. But him leaving opens up $6.75 million of cap space at a time where the cap isn't moving at all for the next few seasons. For leadership, the Flames would still have folks like Mikael Backlund, Milan Lucic and Chris Tanev. If Giordano's claimed, they should use the cap flexibility to upgrade their roster rather than trying to replace his specific attributes.

https://twitter.com/JMABE5555/status/1411808316632621058

Based on all the chatter, it really seems to be looking like Sean Monahan could be the big-name player moved this summer. Who knows what that trade looks like, though.

https://twitter.com/zimester/status/1411809785821810692

If it's up to me, I'd have the Flames draft a forward. There are tons of effective young forwards expected to be available around where the Flames pick, including the likes of Mason McTavish, Fabian Lysell, Chaz Lucius, Cole Sillinger and Matthew Coronato.

https://twitter.com/Metiswarrior1/status/1411818497772986370

The key is smart asset swaps. Look at the trade they made with Carolina for Noah Hanifin and Elias Lindholm as an example: the Flames got younger, cheaper, and gained controllable years rather than losing players for nothing or running in place. If you do that enough with good players and can leverage your draft picks well, you can change up your team's core without having to free-fall in the standings too much.
<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>

FlamesNation mailbag: holy cow, it’s July!

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