The Calgary Flames have made another enormous splash at the entry draft with a trade for the hottest commodity on the market–puck moving right-handed D man who can play top minutes. The Flames have solved their #3-4 spot issue for years to come and now boast among the league’s best top 4 tandems. The cost? Steep.
We have acquired Travis Hamonic & a 4th rd pick in 2019 or 2020 from NYI for a 2018 1st rd pick, 2018 2nd rd pick & 2nd rd pick in 2019 or 2020! pic.twitter.com/3RNHsHQXLS
— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) June 24, 2017
Hamonic and a 4th Round Pick in 2019 < --> 1st Round 2018, 2nd round 2018, 2nd rd pick in 2019.
The price is huge. That means the Flames will only TWO (barring future trades) selections in the first two rounds over the next THREE years.
Is it worth it?
To bolster the defence with Hamonic, and a favorable contract over 3 years, is valuable. He’s a player you know, whereas in the draft you have to wait and see. The price was steep, however. It suggests the Flames must respond to the talent in the West with better D (McDavid forces this transaction I’d think), and the club wants to win now.
It also helps they’ve drafted the likes of Tkachuk who’s had an immediate impact, giving them some breathing room to develop young prospects who make an impact. Having said that, they don’t have any bonafide skilled forwards in the organization ready to make the jump.
Calgary also bolstered their defensive talent with their first round selection:
With the 16th pick, the #Flames have selected Juuso Valimaki! pic.twitter.com/ow9EhoiYOV
— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) June 24, 2017
"He's very passionate about helping his team win in all different ways."#Flames director of amateur scouting Tod Button on @juike4! pic.twitter.com/IEjhADgi1h
— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) June 24, 2017
You have Bennett and Tkachuk as sure things, maybe Jankowski and Lazar but we don’t know. After that it falls off a cliff. Cupboards are bare for scoring forwards, but you have expectational talent on D and G.