Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community - View Single Post - Lance Bouma

BACKCHECK!!! · 02-02-2015, 09:38 AM

Bouma is a 4th liner, and will probably stay a 4th liner. He still might have some upside, but any improvements he makes should be matched by the Flames roster improving as a whole, which will likely keep him on the 4th line.

And I think giving more than $1m and 2 years to a 4th liner is <I>generally</I> a poor idea. Keeping a good salary structure is important in a salary-cap league, even during a rebuild. And paying your fourth liners 3-5 times the league minimum (like many here are suggesting) is not a prudent salary structure.

I'd go with around $1m for 3 years. I think thats plenty generous for an RFA whose main on-ice contribution at the NHL level is getting hit by pucks.

If he only wants 2 years at that price so he can get to UFA sooner, then that's great. Nothing would make me happier than having to match a $5m offer because Bouma has become a 25 goal scorer. But realistically, he'll probably be back as a UFA looking for another $1m-$2m deal.

As for right now, he's an RFA 4th liner, and should be getting RFA 4th liner money.

02-02-2015, 09:38 AM	#69
BACKCHECK!!! First Line Centre Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: TEXAS!! Exp:	Bouma is a 4th liner, and will probably stay a 4th liner. He still might have some upside, but any improvements he makes should be matched by the Flames roster improving as a whole, which will likely keep him on the 4th line. And I think giving more than $1m and 2 years to a 4th liner is <I>generally</I> a poor idea. Keeping a good salary structure is important in a salary-cap league, even during a rebuild. And paying your fourth liners 3-5 times the league minimum (like many here are suggesting) is not a prudent salary structure. I'd go with around $1m for 3 years. I think thats plenty generous for an RFA whose main on-ice contribution at the NHL level is getting hit by pucks. If he only wants 2 years at that price so he can get to UFA sooner, then that's great. Nothing would make me happier than having to match a $5m offer because Bouma has become a 25 goal scorer. But realistically, he'll probably be back as a UFA looking for another $1m-$2m deal. As for right now, he's an RFA 4th liner, and should be getting RFA 4th liner money. __________________ I am a lunatic whose world revolves around hockey and Oilers hate. Last edited by BACKCHECK!!!; 02-02-2015 at 09:48 AM.