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Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

I think Treliving is getting a bit too much hate for this FA signings.

When Calgary signed Engelland, Hiller and Raymond, they were essentially entering their rebuild. They had to over-pay in a market that sees UFAs overpaid as it is.

I liked the Engelland signing - he is actually a decent everyday defender who provides both a physical presence and a bit of a deterrent at the same time. Apparently his leadership is phenomenal as well. He just filled a lot of holes on the team. I still like Engelland on this team.

Hiller - anyone really upset with Hiller? Well, his game fell off, but he was a pretty good goalie last season. I have always preferred Ramo, and I don't like Hiller at all - but even as a critic I can't for one instant think he was a terrible signing. This team would not have made the post season last year without him (and without Ramo).

Raymond - I didn't like the signing then, I still don't like it - but I always understood why it was made. Looking at the team, did anyone really project Gaudreau, Monahan and Hudler to perform the way they have? Offence was what was keeping Trelving up at night. I didn't want to sign Raymond in part because I didn't think he was all that good and was the kind of streaky player that makes fans upset - especially at that price - but throughout the contract he has scored at a pretty good rate for his ice time. He just offers little else. If he was a more solid penalty killer, then you could start seeing some value there. I just feel really sorry for him - tough for him being a 'hometown kid' of sorts (Cochrane) who's family is extremely well known in Alberta, and to be the player everyone wishes wasn't here.

Treliving kept all the terms to 3 years or less. Overpaid? Every single one of them were. That is what happens in a rebuild - you have to overpay the overpaid UFAs to fill spots on your team temporarily.

Setoguchi - again, not sure why people would get annoyed the Seto signing. It was throwing low risk darts at the board. If he panned out, it would have been a genius move. If it didn't - well, did it really hurt the team? I also look at it this way - Setoguchi was a good example for the kids of what NOT to do and to avoid certain traps on the team. Maybe for that reason alone it was worth it.

As for what Trelving should do now - I don't think Howard is the answer. There is probably not a goalie that tries as hard as Howard. His compete level is through the roof. Second, third and fourth chances - he keeps trying. He is very Kipper-esque in that way. However, he is small and really not that great. If he was not so athletic and didn't have that high compete, he would stink. He does not have an average contract. It would be acquiring an overpaid player with term - tough to swallow.

I would rather the Flames wait for someone like Ward (who I don't think is that great - really just another stop-gap) and sign him for cheaper (or at least, less term). Maybe spend more assets on someone more proven. Maybe take on Bernier for his last year - I would imagine he would be cheap, and the risk may be palatable. Heck, scour the KHL/other European leagues for any quality tenders.

I would just hate if the Flames spend assets on a sub-par goalie with term who then becomes a huge problem down the line. Count me in as much rather just re-sign Ramo. His numbers - outside of the stretch of games before he got waived - are actually decent. He will lose more games than he steals in a season (unfortunately), but at least he keeps you in most games and gives you the chance to win. Until there is a clear upgrade - not a 'I think this guy can rebound' - just stick with what you know if what you aren't as sure about is going to cost you assets today, or become a problem for you down the road.

You completely changed my view on Treliving's FA signings in one post. Congrats.