While I have really liked his play over the past 3 seasons Engelland will be 35 when he signs his next contract and we are going to need to be as flexible as possible with what's coming up the pipeline. Sign Stone and Bart first, they are younger and a bigger part of the team's success moving forward and try to finally graduate one of Kulak, Andersson, Kylington, Hickey, Wotherspoon etc
Engelland has been amazingly steady here, this season even more so, and he's going to be invaluable for the playoff push and playoffs but I think this is his swan song year as a Flame and I'm ok with that, this team needs to continue to evolve and Giordano/Brodie/Hamilton/Stone have tons of veteran qualities and leadership to rely on.
I love that after all of the criticism of his & Treliving's deal that summer, Engelland has undoubtedly earned every single dollar of that contract. IMO, relative to how most UFA deals turn out, Engelland's signing was a home-run.
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I hear this a lot, but which "youth" in particular do you think would replace him? Honest question.
I think most would point to ideally one of Andersson or Kylington as our higher end defensive guys. Culkin, Kulak, Wotherspoon or Morison are all nearing the end of their careers as prospects and will hope to make an impact soon.
One of the proudest moments as a Flames fan for me was seeing Engelland go beast mode on those two. What a series.. I want that feeling again so bad!
Edit: Man was Stajan ever a beast in that series too, crazy fight there and the biggest goal in Flames history since 04, dude has been a stud and with this series single handidly won the Phaneuf trade.
The linesman that broke up the Engelland fight is wearing #66. So disrespectful. Can't believe they let him get away with that.
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Do they replace Engo with Rasmus Andersson next year, and roll a Bartkowski - Andersson pairing?
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I think most would point to ideally one of Andersson or Kylington as our higher end defensive guys. Culkin, Kulak, Wotherspoon or Morison are all nearing the end of their careers as prospects and will hope to make an impact soon.
Flames have no one to replace Engelland or his role. If they don't re-sign him, they will need someone similar. You can't have a defence of only puck movers, you need a balance of puck movers and stoppers (guys who kill a cycle with strength or physicality). Realisitically, the flames only have two "stoppers" right now. Engelland and Stone.
If you can get Engelland in the $1.5 to $2 mill range for two or less years, flames should do it.
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Calgary Flames, PLEASE GO TO THE NET! AND SHOOT THE PUCK! GENERATING OFFENSE IS NOT DIFFICULT! SKATE HARD, SHOOT HARD, CRASH THE NET HARD!
If Vegas wasn't coming I believe Engelland would sign for a slight discount to stay here. However, he is a rare player and Vegas will pay him lots. Veterans who are that tough, can jump up the lineup, and play solid on the right side are not easy to find. He's going to leave a bigger hole than people think. If Andersson is his replacement the Flames may have a better skater but they're a lot easier to play against.
Though his off-season home is indeed in Vegas, he has family in Alberta (Edmonton). He gets to see his family more often - would also make sense to stick around here for that. At any rate, it isn't a given that Vegas signs him, or that the Flames walk away from him. Might go to a totally different team as well. His career is almost over, and I am sure that he would also want a chance to win - I don't think it is a given he signs in Vegas.
I love this picture from that brawl. The two Canucks are cowering (as they tend to do) and Engelland with his head held high is continuing to throw bombs. Go Flames Go!
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Engelland has the character of Brad McCrimmon...don't mess with me or my team when I am on the ice...need more characters like him, especially in the playoffs.
Last edited by redforever; 03-07-2017 at 07:54 AM.
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