Flames fans react to Thursday night’s trade with Flyers

What began with Andrei Kuzmenko being scratched from the lineup just before game time quickly escalated as players began disappearing from the benches and speculation started to mount.

In a trade with the Philadelphia Flyers, Flames GM Craig Conroy acquired young centre Morgan Frost, along with two-time 20-goal scorer Joel Farabee. In exchange, the Flames sent fan favourite Jacob Pelletier, struggling forward Andrei Kuzmenko, and a couple of draft picks to Philadelphia.

When a trade of this magnitude takes place, it’s to be expected that fans will experience a mix of emotions. Let’s take a closer look at how members of FlamesNation are reacting.

Though it pains me to refer to Jacob Pelletier as spare parts, it’s probably not far from the truth. For a player the organization was willing to give away for free just four months ago to now being a major part of this trade is quite the turn of events. While his personality and helmet smooching will be missed, he hasn’t quite found his footing at the NHL level. Pelletier’s game had seen improvement over the past couple of weeks, which likely helped raise his trade value. Hopefully, he’ll find success in Philadelphia.

Kuzmenko, on the other hand, clearly had no future with the Flames. This season has been a struggle for him, scoring only four goals in 37 games. Like Pelletier, Kuzmenko had recently found some a spark. It’s possible the Flyers saw this and seized the opportunity to reunite him with fellow countryman and former teammate Matvei Michkov. The fact that the Flames were able to get anything for Kuzmenko should be seen as a success as he was a prime waiver candidate not long ago.

While this isn’t an Elias Pettersson coming to Calgary—or any other game-changing superstar, for that matter—the idea of this trade being “mid” is a fair assessment. It doesn’t propel the Flames into instant contention, nor does it even guarantee a playoff spot. What it does do, however, is improve the team right now without sacrificing the future.

Craig Conroy did well not to give up a first-round pick, take on a bad contract, or break up the team’s core. Giving up a second-round pick in what’s considered a weak draft, along with Jakob Pelletier, isn’t a steep price. Plus, the fact that there’s no salary retention on Andrei Kuzmenko’s contract should be seen as a huge win.

In return, the Flames get a second-line centre in Morgan Frost. Frost has put together consecutive 40-point seasons and is on pace to do so again this year. With 25 points so far, he would be tied for fifth in team scoring. Surely, the Flames believe he has more to give. As a restricted free agent after this season, they’ll have a good opportunity to evaluate him over the next couple of years and see what he can do.

The deal also brings in Joel Farabee, who is coming off a career-best 22 goals and 50 points last season. He provides a solid upgrade to the left wing. Farabee has spent much of this season in Philadelphia’s doghouse and has struggled to find his scoring touch, managing just eight goals and 19 points in 50 games so far. The Flames will hope a fresh start and a new system help him get back on track. With three years left on his current contract, Flames fans will have plenty of time to see what he can bring.

I’d have to agree with the latter half of this comment. It’s unlikely that either Frost or Farabee would fetch a second-round pick on their own. At least we can all be relieved that it wasn’t a first-round pick.

With the upcoming draft expected to be a weaker class, the second-round pick may have more value in name than it does when the draft actually happens. That said, draft picks are unpredictable, and it’s entirely possible the Flames could come to regret this in three or four years.

My guess is that the pick was an extra incentive to get Flyers GM Daniel Brière to take Kuzmenko’s contract without any salary retention on the Flames’ part. It could be that, among other factors.

Looking at the reaction from Flyers fans, they seem to believe they should have gotten much more in return. Maybe they’re right. But the consensus among Flames fans so far is that Conroy did well not to give up too much.

I know I touched on it above, but perhaps the most difficult part of this trade for Flames fans is seeing Pelletier go. There was no one on the roster who had more fun on the ice than he did. There’s no doubt Pelletier was a spark in that locker room. Jonathan Huberdeau will now see his “son” head to Philly, and fans will no longer hear his signature “Woo hoo hoo!” after a goal. You have to wonder if his departure could have an impact on the team moving forward.

From being embarrassed by his coach two years ago to missing almost all of last season due to injury, Pelletier always had the support of Flames fans, who hoped he’d find a permanent home in Calgary. He was a joy to watch in his time with the team, and I’m sure many Flames fans will be following his career as he begins this new chapter with the Flyers.

Now that some time has passed since the trade was announced, how are you feeling about it?