[getbak]

I'm still confused about why they can't sign him until July 5.

The 50 contract limit shouldn't be an issue because his contract won't start until next season, and they're well under 50 contracts for next season. Last year, the Flames signed a couple of college free agents late in the season when they were at 50 contracts, but because they were contracts for 2012-13, they were able to get them signed and they even played for Abbotsford in the playoffs.

They're not signing him as a free agent, which was the whole point of acquiring his rights (and he wouldn't have hit free agency until August 16th), so they shouldn't have to wait for free agency to start.

They have to wait to sign Ramo because he's a defected player, having played in the KHL, but there shouldn't be any such restrictions on Knight. He should be in the same situation as Ramage was.