Quote:
Originally Posted by Textcritic
I'm not at all convinced that Stoner would provide any perceivable upgrade. Especially considering how much time Butler spends on the penalty kill, I tend to expect that he would likely not be an inadequate replacement.
That is not at all what I meant and you know it. The fact of the matter is that Calgary will be a hard sell to virtually every free agent. Any offers coming from the Flames would need to be excessive to get much attention. My point is that there is not a significant upgrade to be had for the same cost, and who fills the same role.
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1. Stoner is a different style player, is an upgrade in the position based on the style Burke wants.
2. Butler spends a lot of time on the PK, most on the team infact, along with Gio. Does that mean he's the most valuable in that role? Flames have the 18th best penalty kill, Butler is a big part of that... seems it could be upgraded. Flames lead the league in short handed goals, Butler, who spends the most time on that penalty kill has 1 assist in those, doesn't seem overly involved in the offensive side of the PK.
3. A rebuilding team, that has gained league wide attention for being a hard working group, that is in every game they play, in a city that has never had a problem drawing free agents. I don't think it's going to be as hard of a sell as you think, especially too a bottom pairing defensemen, like goons/enforcers, they know their roles, and know they aren't at the tops of anyones list, so they take what they can get. Which is why you start by building from the bottom, get better in these positions, easier to sign better players in higher positions.
4. What does cost have to do with it? Flames have a tonne of cap space, if we need to pay a little more to upgrade a position, they do it.