This one is no surprise if you look at the Flames needs. Colborne, Monahan and Backlund are really the only legit (young) centers close to able to play at the NHL level. Need to fill out a roster, need to have some vetran presence at that position and to create competition as well.
Ideally it be great if we could replace Stajan with "something better", but we don't have the assets to trade for that and we will not be an appealing desitination for the next couple of years for a different UFA centre, so Stajan wanting to be here likely represents the best option. I know he's not as popular as some of our other pending UFA vets, but this one to me makes the most sense, and was positionally a good spot for one of the re-signs Burke alluded to. I'd like to the team "create" some more room on the wings for the young guys at the farm level (with out completely eliminating competition), I think we have more depth there, but our center depth is pretty weak and our best young centers are already playing at the NHL level IMO.
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