[Rumour] Friedman: Never got the sense that Flames and Stone close to a deal. Likely hits UFA

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

Kulak-Franson...

Absolutely. This would make all of the sense.

[Erick Estrada]

He would have been great on the 3rd pairing as he could fill in for injuries to top pairing guys when needed but he probably envisioned being a top 4 guy (as well as being paid like one) with the Flames and the Hamonic trade likely sealed his fate with the team.

[Toonage]

He's asking for $4.5, doesn't mean that he's going to get it (though he probably could) or that he isn't willing to take a cut to stay in Calgary in exchange for longer term.

[Roof-Daddy]

At $4.5 million, no thanks. Especially as #5 on the depth chart.

I could see the Flames signing a guy like Korbinian Holzer. A good depth option, probably could be had for cheap. Brings size and toughness and a right shot. He'd be a good veteran to have in order to force Rasmus to earn his way onto the roster, as in he's good enough to push him but not good enough to bury him.

Giordano - Hamilton
TJ Brodie - Hamonic

3rd pair LHD - Bartkowski is the vet pushing Kulak, Wotherspoon and Kylington
3rd pair RHD - Holzer is the vet pushing Andersson

[JurassicTunga12]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

At $4.5 million, no thanks. Especially as #5 on the depth chart.

I could see the Flames signing a guy like Korbinian Holzer. A good depth option, probably could be had for cheap. Brings size and toughness and a right shot. He'd be a good veteran to have in order to force Rasmus to earn his way onto the roster, as in he's good enough to push him but not good enough to bury him.

Giordano - Hamilton
TJ Brodie - Hamonic

3rd pair LHD - Bartkowski is the vet pushing Kulak, Wotherspoon and Kylington
3rd pair RHD - Holzer is the vet pushing Andersson

I believe the Ducks already re-signed Holzer.

[sureLoss]

^ Holzer re-signed with the Ducks yesterday

[OILFAN #81]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

At $4.5 million, no thanks. Especially as #5 on the depth chart.

I could see the Flames signing a guy like Korbinian Holzer. A good depth option, probably could be had for cheap. Brings size and toughness and a right shot. He'd be a good veteran to have in order to force Rasmus to earn his way onto the roster, as in he's good enough to push him but not good enough to bury him.

Giordano - Hamilton
TJ Brodie - Hamonic

3rd pair LHD - Bartkowski is the vet pushing Kulak, Wotherspoon and Kylington
3rd pair RHD - Holzer is the vet pushing Andersson

Anaheim signed him yesterday (Holzer).

[GoJetsGo]

I'd love Stone in a #5 role but not at that price. Would need to be a discount to work and sounds like he wants to get paid (which makes sense on his part).

However, I'm not in agreement with those wanting to see two of the kids get the 5/6 spots.

That isn't optimal in and of itself, nevermind how thin that spreads us if someone in the top four is injured.

We need a responsible #5 with some experience. Leave the #6 spot for Kulak / Spoon or Andersson with Bartowski in the press box as a #7.

[sureLoss]

Treliving already said his preferred usage was to have two kids in the top 7. One on the bottom pairing and one as the 7th d-man.

He is looking for a more veteran player for the 3rd pairing.

[Swayze11]

I don't really see how he isn't worth 4-4.5. He is a top 4 D-man who can fill in on a top pair if needed. Especially being a right shot.

[Love]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Treliving already said his preferred usage was to have two kids in the top 7. One on the bottom pairing and one as the 7th d-man.

He is looking for a more veteran player for the 3rd pairing.

A "kid" as the 7th d-man eating popcorn every night? Why?

Edit: Maybe he's talking Wotherspoon for the #7 spot?

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by Love

A "kid" as the 7th d-man eating popcorn every night? Why?

It'd probably be Wotherspoon/Kulak who are 24/23 respectively and have multiple seasons playing big minutes in the AHL under their belts.

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by Love

A "kid" as the 7th d-man eating popcorn every night? Why?

I assume he meant it to be a rotating position, where they call up and down different players. Or guys who are reaching their mid 20s

[Toonage]

Bartkowski is the perfect candidate to sit up there. Doesn't take ice time away from a younger player or a more skilled player but can step in when needed and is dirt cheap.

[CsInMyBlood]

Would have loved Brendan Smith here especially after losing Engelland, obviously the Hamonic deal makes it not happen.

Will be interesting to see what NYR offers Smith, he was making 2.7 and had a solid playoffs with them.

[Manhattanboy]

Too bad I like Stone - if he could accept that no. 5 spot and appropriate salary we would have one hell of a defense.

[HappyGilmore]

Hope he heads out East. Wouldn't want someone like the Oil getting him. I feel if he's out East it'll be less of a hit

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Swayze11

I don't really see how he isn't worth 4-4.5. He is a top 4 D-man who can fill in on a top pair if needed. Especially being a right shot.

He's not a top pairing guy even on a fill-in. He is a 5 who can fill in as a 4. Just like Engelland, who just signed for $2M.

[StrykerSteve]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

He's not a top pairing guy even on a fill-in. He is a 5 who can fill in as a 4. Just like Engelland, who just signed for $2M.

Engelland signed for 1M.

[Mean Mr. Mustard]

Originally Posted by Stud_McCool

Flames don't usually have much success chasing UFA defensemen. I would prefer letting the kids patrol the bottom pairing D instead.

Kulak - Andersson - Bartkowski - Kylington - Wotherspoon could be interchangeable.

That is a recipe for disaster. Forcing prospects to elevate their game in the NHL setting in a sink or swim manner can be done if there is one of them and their partner is a veteran who can cover for mistakes, but to have two of them on a roster is asking for trouble.