Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community - View Single Post - UFA's- who's available this summer

Calgary4LIfe · 04-04-2013, 05:08 PM

I would say the Flames will prioritize acquisitions in this way:

1) Look at teams with cap issues. See if a trade can be made for a vet with one year remaining, who has been under-performing on his contract.
2) Target UFAs that are more reclamation project material, that are willing to sign for a one year term to 'prove themselves'.

Not all of them will work out, but you can sell some at the trade deadline.

3) Sign some vets that will have a positive effect on young players. I think they will limit themselves to one that is more of 'leader' that they can sign for a multi-year (3 max, 2 preferably) that is big and physical (really lacking on the Flames).

I am just not sure you can include "non Post-Apex" players into this, and/or there may indeed be value in such players. For instance, Jagr was definitely a good signing for Dallas - looks like they will probably get a 1st out of this, but at least a 2nd. At any rate, getting a good 'older' vet sometimes does provide a lot to a team full of youth. I will get flamed for saying this, but Regehr in my mind would be a good target. Sign him to a contract that puts him on the 3rd pairing. Though he has definitely regressed (thus 3rd pairing minutes + third pairing contract), he can very much serve like Warrener back in the day and help mentor our D prospects - well, at least if we intend to bring Breen up and use him as a shut-down physical guy. A bit of a long shot..

I am just not convinced the Flames can bring players that are before their prime without giving long term contracts out in exchange in the UFA market, or give up futures for prime players in trades.

Third option is if the Flames make use of the buyout window, and obtain an ugly contract in exchange for a 1st, and use the buyout window right away. I think you can only use it on 1 player per season (and this is the last season for that window).

I do think Latendresse would be ideal - plays physical, has some upside, and could take a one year contract to redeem himself. There may be more out there, but not easy to find and to sign.

04-04-2013, 05:08 PM	#160
Calgary4LIfe Franchise Player Join Date: Jun 2010 Exp:	I would say the Flames will prioritize acquisitions in this way: 1) Look at teams with cap issues. See if a trade can be made for a vet with one year remaining, who has been under-performing on his contract. 2) Target UFAs that are more reclamation project material, that are willing to sign for a one year term to 'prove themselves'. Not all of them will work out, but you can sell some at the trade deadline. 3) Sign some vets that will have a positive effect on young players. I think they will limit themselves to one that is more of 'leader' that they can sign for a multi-year (3 max, 2 preferably) that is big and physical (really lacking on the Flames). I am just not sure you can include "non Post-Apex" players into this, and/or there may indeed be value in such players. For instance, Jagr was definitely a good signing for Dallas - looks like they will probably get a 1st out of this, but at least a 2nd. At any rate, getting a good 'older' vet sometimes does provide a lot to a team full of youth. I will get flamed for saying this, but Regehr in my mind would be a good target. Sign him to a contract that puts him on the 3rd pairing. Though he has definitely regressed (thus 3rd pairing minutes + third pairing contract), he can very much serve like Warrener back in the day and help mentor our D prospects - well, at least if we intend to bring Breen up and use him as a shut-down physical guy. A bit of a long shot.. I am just not convinced the Flames can bring players that are before their prime without giving long term contracts out in exchange in the UFA market, or give up futures for prime players in trades. Third option is if the Flames make use of the buyout window, and obtain an ugly contract in exchange for a 1st, and use the buyout window right away. I think you can only use it on 1 player per season (and this is the last season for that window). I do think Latendresse would be ideal - plays physical, has some upside, and could take a one year contract to redeem himself. There may be more out there, but not easy to find and to sign.