[Apollo]

Originally Posted by Karl

Hey, no problem.

Yes, Stajan could be a good role model for Stockton.

Here's the thing. We have about 2 other guys that you could make an argument to have buried in the AHL because they had rough years last year or because of their diminished play. It's possible Raymond could be still in the position he was at the end of this past year being on the outside looking in and still being stuck in Stockton because he had a rough year when with the Flames and, honestly, you could say his play has diminished too, you know. Not to mention, Bollig is another good candidate to be possibly relegated there too.

That said, I find it very hard to see this management being willing to bury over $6 million of cap hit in Raymond, Stajan & Bollig in Stockton cause that's alot of money and (in the case of Stajan & Raymond) not much cap savings since you can only bury up to $950,000 of anyone's cap hit in the AHL. If I had to bet on one of these guys getting buried this year, I'd bet on Bollig and that's probably it IMO.

Why Bollig, you may ask? Two reasons: 1) you can bury most of his cap hit in Stockton (Bollig only has a $1.25M cap hit), unlike Raymond & Stajan. 2) Bollig is the worst of those 3 as a hockey player. Whereas with the other two, you still have $4.4M of those combined still couting against the NHL cap if you bury them. Not getting rid of most of the cap problem.

I think Stajan will stay with the Flames this year and Raymond might be given a good chance to make it. That said, if Stajan has another rough year as a Flame, I think he'll get bought out NEXT June.

Absolutely agree with you on Bollig. He's cheaper to put in the AHL than to buyout. So that's an easy decision. I think we likely buyout Raymond. As you he's expensive to keep in the AHL. I don't think he's good enough to make our team. The roster spot he would take up would diminish the development of a better player. So that just leaves Stajan. I like the idea of him teaching the kinds in Stockton. right now we have too many spot taken by bad contracts. I hope Treliving can work his magic. The Flames can drastically improve if we open up those spots to guys in our system.