A few thoughts:
1. There is way too much concern about alienating Lance Bouma going on around here. It might not seem like it as I say what I'm about to say, but I really appreciate Lance Bouma, and I thinks he's valuable. But we are talking about Lance Bouma here. Way too much concern about not upsetting and locking up an asset that if he becomes such a key member of our young core moving forward, I'd wager to say the Flames will not be achieving the success many of us hope. He's not a core player, and if he becomes one, we are in trouble.
2. I feel like some of the comments that point to concern with alienating or hurting his feelings, not value him, etc... actually disrespect Bouma's intelligence. I don't doubt there is currently a disconnect on value right now between him and the team (doesn't mean it's a sour disconnect), but do we really think that Bouma doesn't get it? Do we really think he doesn't understand that he's had to claw his way into the NHL doing dirty work and showing heart, and up until last season, including all of his seasons in other leagues and juniors that he's never before shown a flair for offence? Do we really believe that while I'm sure he's feeling the need to take advantage of that, that he doesn't also get why the Flames might be not so sure on how much that's worth at this point. I'm sure he gets it on some level, which has to be helping this not turn sour.
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