Quote:
Originally Posted by Oil Stain
The Flames could have used that cap space on a better player. Sure it might have "hurt" them in the standings this season, but on the other hand it may have given a player like Giordano more incentive to sign an extension when the time comes.
Now if the Flames want to improve next offseason they have to go out and acquire an extra good player or two that they didn't land this season. Inactivity builds up.
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That is a terrible argument. The FA market wasn't great to begin with and Giordano is not going to go elsewhere because the Flames didn't overpay for Orpik or Niskanen. Besides, the Oilers signing Ference (3.25 cap hit for 4 years) last year and Pouliot this year are pretty terrible as well and they were actually thinking those signings were going to push them into the playoffs. Engelland's contract doesn't look like a good value contract but it's far from a death knell and doesn't handicap the Flames significantly at all going forward. By the time the third year comes around, the Flames will be turning the corner and his contract will be coming off the books. Engelland at half his value would have been great but the market drove his value up. I'm fine with that given the current situation.