Quote:
Originally Posted by Fire
My concern is not with the money these guys (Stajan, Raymond, Bollig, Jones) are being paid, but the clutter of forwards the Flames are going to have next season. I count 16 forwards that could easily be on the NHL roster next season. If Poirier needs more time in the AHL then that drops to 15.
Ferland should be taking Bollig's spot. Bennett will force his way on the team. Probably forces Granlund to the wing. Ideally Granlund would take Raymond's spot in the line-up. Shore seems like an ideal 4th line center, even though I do like how Stajan is playing in that role. I think the Flames should probably keep Jones, but Poirier will be fighting for a RW spot next season.
I'm hoping after watching the team this season that Treliving at least passes on signing any UFAs this season, especially up front.
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I'm failing to understand the issue with the clutter of forwards though? Who cares, other than the owners and the impact to their pocket books? This organisation has proven it will move the vets out when the prospects prove they've earned the spots, so not sure why anyone other than the Flames accountant has any concerns about this.
Ferland should be taking Bollig's spot you say.............sure when he's ready. I'm loving what we are seeing out of Ferland down this stretch, but Bollig has also stepped up and played better than him. Ferland can have his spot when he takes it. Which hopefully is from game one next year, but let's worry about that when it happens, not make moves in advance of that happening, and lets plan RESPONSIBLY in case it doesn't happen.
Don't understand what fans adversion is to Treliving having to clean up the vet situation on this team when it actually becomes an issue. If he signs some new vets he doesn't need, let him trade them for assets or send them in the minors if he has too. Obviously he has to think about impact to cap space even when demoting a player and make sure he aligns contract lengths accordingly, but otherwise who cares.
Don't get me wrong, I'd be shocked if based on what he saw this year he feels as much need as he did last year to bring in warm bodies to fill in the line up, but all of the players you put above in brackets have not been bucked from their spots this year so why worry about it until it happens. Stajan is still a top 4 centre on this team easily, maybe Bennett finally changes that next year, but right now only Monahan and Backlund are consistently better than him. Bollig is still out performing Ferland for now, Jones hasn't come close to yet being replaced by an AHL player. Raymond has defintetly put himself in the questionable category this year, but it's still not clear that someone from the farm is ready to take his place.