Which non-Flames UFAs do we target?

[FlameZilla]

Anyone else interested in Al Montoya? He's currently one of the best back-ups in the league & could keep Ramo accountable while Ortio hones his skills in the AHL for the next year or two. Montoya seems to be finally living up to his potential.

Setoguchi is a must, IMO. Former 30-goal scorer & local boy.

I don't think we would get Niskanen. Maybe have a look at signing Paul Ranger as a big D-man?

[Gaskal]

Jagr
Niskanen
Halak

My choices.

[dammage79]

Setoguchi, Niskanen and Peter Mueller. Also, pitch an offer Vaneks way and see what happens. Would be a nice replacement for Cammy.

[Wolfman]

Why do I get the feeling Burkie will make an offer to Downie? He actually might be a good fit at RW on the 3rd line. I'm not a huge fan of him but he brings what Burke wants. My only fear is he can go overboard at times and snap like a twig. If he can grow up and mature he might be a decent pickup. I know before I said I don't want him in a Flames jersey but I don't make the decisions! Lol

[Cali Panthers Fan]

I'm really not sold on Setoguchi. He's really regressed since leaving San Jose, mostly defensively, and has problems with work ethic. He scores goals, but does little else. Reminds me too much of Glencross and we already have one of those at an assumedly better price.

[Wolfman]

If you can manage to add a nice UFA or two to the mix it might speed things up without hurting the prospect pool. Possibles: Vanek or Moulson would upgrade this team fairly quick. Not saying they would sign here but just as an example. But like posted earlier if you throw enough cash their way it might or it might not entice them to come.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by FlameZilla

Setoguchi is a must, IMO. Former 30-goal scorer & local boy.

First of all, the local boy thing doesn't always work (see Galiardi) so don't worry too much about that. We need to be going for good players regardless of where they are from. Secondly, Setoguchi scored 30 in 08/09 and hasn't hit more than 22 since, so he's more likely a 20 goal scorer, especially on the Flames.

[heep223]

Don't agree with everyone saying Jagr. Makes 0 sense to parachute in a very old past superstar who's going to eat up ice time and PP time on a rebuilding squad with a tight dressing room and recently very good chemistry. As a STH I'd be pissed about this as it could hamper development of our team. Also, even as much as it'd be really sweet and I'm secretly hoping, bringing Iggy back may be the same.

Callahan / Setoguchi both make sense to me.

EDIT: Cali Flames Fan has some good points re: Seto. He does play very similarly to Glennie.

[getbak]

I could see either Hiller or Gustavsson ending up here. Both came into the NHL as free agent signings by Burke.

[calgarygeologist]

I'd like to Stastny and Timonen on the Flames.

[Henry Fool]

Originally Posted by devo22

Setoguchi is kind of a perfect target for the Flames ... big, RH shot, Alberta boy. He's coming off a bad season, so maybe he'd settle for a short term contract to try to earn a bigger one. If he does, we could flip him at the deadline for picks (or even re-sign him if needed).

I watched Setoguchi in Minnesota and he was very disappointing. I don't think he's the player people here think he is. Offensive black hole.

[H2SO4(aq)]

Steve Downie.

[josef]

goal:i´d like on of elliot, peters or greiss,
defense: greene if healthy would be good, but he only played 43 games the last two seasons, so i´m unsure about green
another options could be mark fayne, i´d stay away from matt niskanen
forwards: setegouchi or downie

[Scoutski]

Originally Posted by heep223

Don't agree with everyone saying Jagr. Makes 0 sense to parachute in a very old past superstar who's going to eat up ice time and PP time on a rebuilding squad with a tight dressing room and recently very good chemistry. As a STH I'd be pissed about this as it could hamper development of our team.

Just in defence of Jagr and why he might be so appealing:

a) He had 67 (82GP) points this year, our highest point scorer was Hudler with 54 (75GP).
b) He is an absolutely insane fitness freak, has to be to be in that shape at 42, this is a great example for young players.
c) He has been working with one-year deals only, this works perfectly for us.
d) He would get top line minutes and top minutes on the PP which is his incentive to come here, we aren't exactly super deep in RW depth and as a one-year stopgap he seems to be a great choice to help us be competitive next year.

I still think he's going to NJ again which is a shame, but I would love the hell out of him here.

EDIT: I don't have any solid evidence to support it, but I've read reports that he is a great guy to have in the room and works closely with young guys, seems like good news for us.

[Wolfman]

Moulson/Glencross-Monahan-Vanek
Hudler-Backlund-Colborne
Gaudreau/Baertschi-Stajan-Downie
Bouma-Knight-McGrattan

Giordano-Brodie
Russell-Niskanen/Greene
Smid-Wotherspoon

Ramo
Elliott

Personally I see Johnny in the AHL to start the year. These lines are just a suggestion if you can sign either Moulson or Vanek and not both. Jones will be injured so he will help reach the cap floor.

[Henry Fool]

I'd avoid getting another Jones-Galliardi. Offensively you want the team to get more dynamic. Just focus on size and toughness rather than bring in some vanilla veteran if you can't add genuine puck skill.

[OzSome]

If Burkie was serious about having Ortio not backing up Ramo this coming season, then I'll pick an experience backup goalie.

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by OzSome

If Burkie was serious about having Ortio not backing up Ramo this coming season, then I'll pick an experience backup goalie.

To Carolina: RFA rights to Paul Byron
To Calgary: Cam Ward + 2nd round pick

I'd be down with that.

As far as UFAs go:

Stastny - anytime there's a top 2 centre, that is only 27 years old available for "free", you take a shot at him.
Bolland - adding a guy with a winning culture engrained into him would be a good thing for this team. His ability to play wing and centre is useful.
Downie - we're weak on the right side, and Downie adds that "edge" that we've lacked ever since Ville left town.
Jagr - he'd be lights out for Baertschi, Gaudreau, Colborne and any other of our developing wingers. He'd be great for the kids, plus I just love Jagr.

[Vinny01]

Jagr no doubt. Give him a 2 year deal if he wants ($10M) he is a big body RW that has really matured since coming back to the NHL. Let him play with Monahan and Gaudreau or Hudler and Backlund

I think with our cap situation we will be acquiring most new players via trade with teams looking to dump contracts

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

To Carolina: RFA rights to Paul Byron
To Calgary: Cam Ward + 2nd round pick

I'd be down with that.

Wow, did that Berra trade make you really think that Burke has supernatural trading powers? Ridiculous return for Byron's rights.