Taking a Look at Brad Treliving's Best Decisions as Flames' GM

In the revolving door world of NHL GMs, Treliving's near-decade term with the Flames speaks volumes about his prowess. So, let's take a journey through his top five decisions (and the bottom five) to get a glimpse into his future in Toronto.

Treliving's Calgary chapter is rich with more than five noteworthy decisions. Be it the Tyler Toffoli trade or the smart Mark Giordano signing, his tenure was marked with strategic moves.

5. The Gaudreau Deal

Treliving masterfully signed Johnny Gaudreau to a contract. The deal, 6 years at $6.75 million per year, was nothing short of a steal. Gaudreau tallied 466 points in 442 games throughout the contract's duration, surpassing his contract worth and earning a raise, despite it leading him to unrestricted free agency.

4. The Tkachuk Trade

Treliving found himself in a tight corner when he lost Gaudreau to free agency for no return and faced Matthew Tkachuk's demand to leave. Even as Tkachuk's value took a hit with his exit desire, Treliving traded him after a 104-point season. In exchange, he secured Jonathan Huberdeau, who boasted a 115-point season, Mackenzie Weegar, a promising prospect, and a 2025 or 2026 first-round pick. The trade stands as one of the biggest in the past decade and the first involving two 100-point scorers since the 20th century.

3. The 2015 Draft

The 2015 draft was a turning point for many teams, including the Flames. Despite no first-round pick, the Flames secured two long-term gems in Rasmus Andersson (53rd pick) and Andrew Mangiapane (166th pick). Also, the Flames bagged Dougie Hamilton on draft day by trading the 15th, 45th, and 52nd picks, who is now one of the NHL's leading offensive defensemen.

2. The Lindholm-Hanifin Trade

The 2018 trade that brought Elias Lindholm and Noah Hanifin, two former 5th overall picks (2013 and 2015), stands as one of the most significant trades of the decade. Despite parting ways with Dougie Hamilton, Micheal Ferland, and Adam Fox, the Flames clearly came out on top. The Hurricanes lost all three players, while the Flames gained top-performing Hanifin and Hamilton on favorable contracts. While the mention of Adam Fox might raise eyebrows, he was destined to leave Calgary, later forcing his move to the Rangers.

1. The 2016 Draft

The 2016 draft marked a milestone in the Flames' future and Treliving's career. With four players who would eventually step into the NHL, and two of them turning into superstars, this draft served as the high point of Treliving's tenure. The two standouts were Matthew Tkachuk (6th overall) and Adam Fox (66th overall), with Dillon Dube and Matthew Phillips offering solid support. Even though Treliving had to trade Tkachuk and Fox, it's uncommon to snag two superstars in the same draft.

Has this deep dive into Treliving's triumphs reshaped your perspective of him? While he's not flawless, the breadth of his successful decisions is undeniably impressive. If he can emulate his Calgary magic in Toronto, the future of the franchise could be in for a positive shakeup.

Do you think he'll be Toronto's GM?

As seen on Hockey Patrol - Brad Treliving's Most Impactful Decisions as a General Manager