Flames Could Target Another Young Forward in Jets’ Perfetti

Perfetti suited up for Game 5, but by then, the series was already over. The Avalanche simply overpowered the Jets, who, after an offensive explosion in Game 1, weren’t able to find the back of the net very often, scoring just eight goals in their final four games. One can’t help but wonder if that could have been different had the nearly 20-goal scorer been in the lineup all series.

What makes Perfetti especially intriguing for the Flames is that he can play down the middle of the ice. Though they have several highly-touted prospects up front, they are lacking at the centre position, both on their current roster and in their pipeline. Adding a player with as much skill as Perfetti would improve that drastically.

Flames Have Intriguing Pieces

Should the two sides have discussions on Perfetti, the Flames have several ways they could approach it. With the Jets in a stage where they would like to continue trying to be a contender, they would likely prefer getting players that help their current roster over prospects. If that changes, the Flames do have prospects they can offer up, but should they prefer a roster player, Conroy does have an interesting one who could be on the move this summer.

Andrew Mangiapane, who is just two seasons removed from a 35-goal campaign, has seen his totals dip as of late. The 28-year-old may need a change of scenery to get his game back on track, and has just one season remaining on his contract with a $5.8 million cap hit.

Mangiapane does have an eight-team no-trade clause in his contract, and while the teams he has on this list are unknown, it’s no secret that many players have the Jets on their respective lists. While Winnipeg may not be the most desirable of destinations, the fact is, they won 52 games this season.

Not only would Mangiapane get to join a team that is currently much stronger than the Flames, but he would also get to play with more skilled forwards who could help his offensive game get back on track. As is well known in Calgary, he is very defensively sound as well, which would make him even more intriguing to the Jets.

With players like Noah Hanifin, Elias Lindholm, Chris Tanev, and Nikita Zadorov no longer on the roster, the Flames are likely to have a lot of cap space next season. That also means that if need be, they would be able to retain some of Mangiapane’s deal to make things work from a money perspective.

Worth noting is that, despite Perfetti’s struggles to get in the lineup late in the season, the Jets aren’t just going to hand him off. He still has a very high ceiling, and whatever issues he had with Bowness no longer matter following the 69-year-old’s retirement. While they will almost certainly take calls, Mangiapane alone may not be enough to get a deal done. As mentioned, however, Conroy has also been stockpiling picks since becoming the Flames’ GM. Parting with one or two as well as Mangiapane to bring in Perfetti is something he should be all over, should the Jets oblige.