Good for him. $5.4 in 2014-2018 terms is significantly less of a percentage of the overall salary cap was the last 4 years, so good for him.
Perfect example of the reactionary nature of the Flames style in the mid 2000's. Ever since the Cup in 2004, they would have one year where they could score, but no defense. So, that next offseason fix the defense, focus on it. Then that next year with the defense in place, couldn't score goals...so bring in forwards. Bouwmeester got in on the wave where the Flames(when they lost in that series) lost big to SJ that playoff before. So, away goes Keenan, in comes Brent with a defense first style.
The new coach and style, and a big contract he felt he had to live up to, and Bouwmeester got out of what helped make him an offensive threat in FLA. That first year zapped it all out of him and never recovered under Brent.
Hartley brought that out in him, but of course the defenders around him were not as good as the years before, and moreso the defensive system last season from Hartley/Cloutier/Gelinas, was atrocious.
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