Quote:
Originally Posted by Caged Great
Nope, the skill levels will be a problem this year. Basically we come in with a slight alteration between Colborne and Brouwer, although their point totals will be the roughly the same over the course of a season. So we have lost Hudler and replaced him with... Chaisson? Shinkaruk? Ferland? Someone that clearly isn't viable on a decent/good team to be on the first line regardless. Add in that they have replaced Russell with Jokipakka, who is more of a 6/7 guy than a #4 and have no other options.
The team in front of the goalie is worse. Significantly so. There is nothing that can be done about it until the 15 million dollars due to bottom end players are removed. Only 3 or so of that will be spent on Goalie raises and Bennett's new contract (his cap hit is already over 3 million, won't get 6 until he unleashes the beast).
Next year, the Flames will properly be able to address the lineup. Now we are stuck. The only saving grace is that players will get an opportunity in positions they would otherwise not receive shots in and see if they can rise to the occasion. I'm thinking at this point next year that TJ Oshie may be in a Flaming "C" because he's the only quality RW under the age of 30 available and it's doubtful that the Caps will be able to afford to keep him.
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Bennett's cap hit this year is 985K As the Flames will be close to the cap if he hits his bonuses this year some of it will come out of next years cap.
Right now the Flames have 11 player signed for 2017-18 with 30 M of cap left over and only Stajan 3.15 and Bouma 2.2 as bad contracts (Total bad contract money of say 3M as they easily deserve 1.1-1.2 M each.
that will be 12 player signed and 22.5 left if Gaudreau signs for 7.5
If Elliott is anywhere near what he is expected that would use 6M of Cap for Elliot and Gillies.
14 players signed 16.5 left
Bennett, just playing at the 2015-16 level will be looking at least a 3x2 bridge contract
15 players signed 13.5M left
That means we need to sign 5 D-men and 5 forwards for 13.5M
4 d-men at 1M 4 forwards at 1M leaves 5.5M for a top 9 winger and #4 d-man
Tell me how you structure any offer to any UFA with the Flames cap reality?