Which wingers should the Flames target?

[Badgers Nose]

Originally Posted by The Original FFIV

We don't really have any horribad contracts after this season. Only ones I would quantify as bad as follows

Stajan
Raymond
Smid
Wideman
Engelland

we could buy all but Stajan out as they are expiring deals and have room to add. But I don't see that as necessary for all of them. Any of these shorter term contracts could be sent to a team looking to get out of longer term financial obligation (LA, Minnesota or NYR). Any cap stress we appear to have is short lived given the money that comes off the books this year and next. Excluding Stajan, $14.75m comes off the books at the end of 2017 season, if nothing changes from now to that time.

True.

These contracts really hurt when the rebuild is going faster than expected. With structure I am optimistic the Flames will be back in the playoffs. But things open up next year roster and cap wise. By then expectations will be even higher, so it's good that they will have the money.

[handgroen]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

Just because we have lots of bottom six wingers doesn't mean BT can't upgrade them. Flames should be looking to improve everywhere they can.

Matt Martin would be an improvement on every bottom six winger you just listed. He's got Bollig's size, Jooris' skating, Bouma's forechecking, Hathaway's peskiness all combined with 2015 playoff Ferland's physicality. Plus he's usually good for 5-10 goals and 15-20 points with just 4th line ice time.

He's pretty much the perfect 4th liner, and if the Flames can get him at $1-1.5 million they should do it.

trouble is a guy like that will get over-bid on, and over-paid, at 1.5M no problem, but he'll fetch something like 2.5M from someone, and our salary structure is paramount moving forward.


i'm a fan though and would take martin for that money on a two year deal, I like the player but the term is critical for any incoming UFAs.
i hope that if the flames sign any UFA it would be to a term of 3 years or less.

i'm sure that 'prices us out' of the bidding wars for any of the top names, but adding a hudler, vrbata, or eriksson on a two year 2-4M type deal is a no brainer IMO. the flames need some top six support for their young rebuilding club.
If you see a veteran winger who's a tangible upgrade and will swallow a shorter term deal, you sign him.

[Krynn]

Totally agree with you handgroen .people forget that's what happened with Engelland there was a bidding war for him.so we over payed for him .I have always liked him and was happy he signed here.and I hope he reups with the flames on a reasonable deal after next season.

[BACKCHECK!!!]

Perron for $4-ish million

1) Under 30

2) Has the skill to play top-6 (7 of 9 career seasons at a 40+ point scoring pace)

3) Has the grit to play bottom-6 if needed

4) "When you are making those mistakes, something needs to happen. They are the same mistakes we were doing last year. We keep talking about how much better we are this year, but for me it is the same record now that we had last year."
-David Perron, demonstrating that he just doesn't have what it takes to be an Oiler

[puckedoff]

I'd like if they could sign Helm to a reasonable contract. Has speed and ability to win battles in the corners.

[Samonadreau]

Let's disregard the cap for a minute....

Gaudreau-Monahan-Stamkos
Lucic-Bennett-Okposo
Colborne-Backlund-Frolik
Ferland-Grant-Brouwer

Not too bad.

[TheScorpion]

Originally Posted by Samonadreau

Let's disregard the cap for a minute....

Gaudreau-Monahan-Stamkos
Lucic-Bennett-Okposo
Colborne-Backlund-Frolik
Ferland-Grant-Brouwer

Not too bad.

Top defense pairing:

Rundblad - Wozniewski

[Samonadreau]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

Top defense pairing:

Rundblad - Wozniewski

Over your head I guess.

[GoJetsGo]

^ I disregarded it for a minute and it was awesome.

But now I'm right back to regarding it and it looks completely unrealistic again.

[Samonadreau]

Yup back to reality.

[cannon7]

Engelland's contract isn't nearly as bad as it appeared when he first signed. He has been a solid #5/6.