[Fire of the Phoenix]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

Why would a team EVER trade for an UFA's rights at the draft when they could sign him for free a week later? To get the exclusive negotiating window. And in that case they get nothing if he doesn't sign. In Jankowski's case they'd get a 2nd. So his value is at least a 2nd.

This usually doesn't happen though. When it does, it's almost always for an established NHLer.

Why did the Rangers trade two 2nds and a prospect for a guy (Tim Erixon) that would've just re-entered the draft if they didn't sign him? Pretty risky right? They were getting nothing if he didn't sign.

That was different, he wasn't a pending UFA. It was also unique in that I believe (obviously can't prove) that there was some degree of tampering going on there. It was just too convenient that Erixon happened to get dealt to his daddy's team. NYR also didn't want to run the risk of not getting to draft Erixon if he re-entered the draft. It's hard to compare the Erixon situation to anything really. It's a better comparable to the Lindros trade than any pending UFA college player situation.

All the Flames have to do is tell Jankowski's agent he can talk to every team. Then they find a team they like and Treliving demands more than a 2nd. There you go.

When you say 'more than a 2nd', how much more could he realistically get in your eyes? He's definitely not worth a 1st, that's the price for established NHLers or blue chippers. Are you thinking 2nd+4th/C prospect or something? I mean, I guess it's possible, I just wouldn't bet on it is all.

I think the Flames are either going to sign the player or get the compensation. I would be shocked if this went down any other way.