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1qqaaz · 04-05-2016, 08:00 AM

There are 6 Flames forwards with 32+ points:
Gaudreau: 75
Monahan: 62
Backlund: 42
Colborne: 39
Bennett: 35
Frolik: 32

All other forwards (Ferland, Stajan, Jooris, Bouma, Bollig, and the call-ups) have fewer than 16 points.

Successful teams have scoring depth. Rather than signing a 40+ point guy for 3.5 mill+ a year, I'd rather just keep 6'5 Colborne. I don't even think it's fair to compare Colborne with Ferland, Stajan, etc. since he's in an entirely different league offensively. His point per game is the 3rd highest among Flames forwards: above Backlund, Bennett and Frolik. And this is with a lot of time on the 3rd and 4th lines, playing with Bouma, etc.

I think the Flames should re-sign Colborne this summer, rather than a UFA forward. Here's why:

The Flames have to acquire a goalie this summer. That'll likely add a fair amount to the team cap. After the extensions, I'm not sure we have the cap space to add Backes, Lucic, Okposo when all is said and done. There are a lot of quality forwards in the UFA market this year. Many teams will probably add big contracts to their rosters. It might be smarter to wait on that top 6 forward until next year, when many teams have already used much of their cap space. As you all know, the Flames have a lot of bad contracts expiring after the 16-17 season.

If I'm not mistaken, Jamie Benn is a UFA in 2017. If the Flames avoid signing a top 6 forward this year, they might be in a position to go hard on Benn the next year. Imagine Benn with Gaudreau, Monahan, Bennett, and a Finn. Steen, Oshie, Burns, Shattenkirk, Hedman, Sharp, Neal, Marchand, Hanzal, are also possible UFAs.

I hope that when the Flames approach the free agency this summer, they truly have strong long-term goals in mind. I doubt the Flames are going to be contenders next year, so I'm not sure it's wise to go hard in free agency.

04-05-2016, 08:00 AM	#138
1qqaaz Franchise Player Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Indiana Exp:	There are 6 Flames forwards with 32+ points: Gaudreau: 75 Monahan: 62 Backlund: 42 Colborne: 39 Bennett: 35 Frolik: 32 All other forwards (Ferland, Stajan, Jooris, Bouma, Bollig, and the call-ups) have fewer than 16 points. Successful teams have scoring depth. Rather than signing a 40+ point guy for 3.5 mill+ a year, I'd rather just keep 6'5 Colborne. I don't even think it's fair to compare Colborne with Ferland, Stajan, etc. since he's in an entirely different league offensively. His point per game is the 3rd highest among Flames forwards: above Backlund, Bennett and Frolik. And this is with a lot of time on the 3rd and 4th lines, playing with Bouma, etc. I think the Flames should re-sign Colborne this summer, rather than a UFA forward. Here's why: The Flames have to acquire a goalie this summer. That'll likely add a fair amount to the team cap. After the extensions, I'm not sure we have the cap space to add Backes, Lucic, Okposo when all is said and done. There are a lot of quality forwards in the UFA market this year. Many teams will probably add big contracts to their rosters. It might be smarter to wait on that top 6 forward until next year, when many teams have already used much of their cap space. As you all know, the Flames have a lot of bad contracts expiring after the 16-17 season. If I'm not mistaken, Jamie Benn is a UFA in 2017. If the Flames avoid signing a top 6 forward this year, they might be in a position to go hard on Benn the next year. Imagine Benn with Gaudreau, Monahan, Bennett, and a Finn. Steen, Oshie, Burns, Shattenkirk, Hedman, Sharp, Neal, Marchand, Hanzal, are also possible UFAs. I hope that when the Flames approach the free agency this summer, they truly have strong long-term goals in mind. I doubt the Flames are going to be contenders next year, so I'm not sure it's wise to go hard in free agency.