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GreenLantern2814 · 11-29-2016, 05:12 PM

At this juncture, Jon Gillies has to see significant time in the NHL this season before I'm willing to pencil him in as one of our two full time guys next year.

I've felt for over a year that Backlund is a trade chip this offseason to address other weaknesses, but given how he's been the clear cut best centre on the team for quite a while now, I think the Flames have to prioritize getting him extended. Something in the five year range closer to $25M than $30M.

The small mercy of Bennett's underwhelming season will be his next contract - he's as clear a bridge candidate as we're going to get, so I look forward to a couple years of Sammy at $2.5M.

I cannot friggen believe we have ANOTHER year of both Bouma and Stajan, who combine to make $5.325M. That can't be allowed to happen. The cap era means you pay your stars their money. Everyone else pretty well has to be on rookie deals or close to the league minimum. On the bright side, letting those two players go pays for Backlund's extension.

Lance Bouma has already been replaced by Garnett Hathaway. Stajan has had a great (For him) start where he hasn't played entirely like replacement-level roster filler and yet I'll argue Mark Jankowski is four or five games from making Stajan irrelevant as well.

There's no chance we should bring back a 35 year old Engelland. Thank the gods that his contract hasn't been a total boat anchor for the past three seasons. Then walk away.

If I were the Golden Knights, I'd take Kulak ahead of Jokipakka without much hesitation - I don't know that I'd bring Kevin back for much more than a 2-year/$1M per deal.

Between Wideman, Smid, Engelland, Bollig and Elliott, there's 14.45M in real money off the cap next year. CapFriendly has the projected cap space available to be $20.65M. RFAs to be signed include Ferland, Bennett, Chiasson, Hathaway.

I'd give Ferland a 2 year/$3M extension, Bennett 2/$5M, Hathaway 1/$875K, and Chiasson can GTFO.

Chad can come back on a 2/$5M pact as well.

After a quick look at pending UFA forwards on CapFriendly - there isn't a single one of them worth paying UFA money to on July 1. Oshie is a 50-point forward who's going to get $6M. Pass. Pass pass pass pass pass. This is an offseason where Brad needs to make his hay on the trade market. His recent big UFA signings have been alright - Frolik was a really good get, he's our most consistent winger. Brouwer started hot and slowed down, but I don't think you see the benefits of a player like Troy on a bottomfeeder. He needs to be in big moments and pressure situations for fans to truly appreciate his game.

On the back end, they can afford to sign a top-4 blue liner. I agree with those who've thrown Alzner's name out there - I think he and Brodie would be excellent together. He's making $2.8 now, could he be had on a 6 or 7 year term for $5.5 a la Orpik? I'd be happy with that deal, don't know if it gets it done though.

The way the cap situation sets up, this is still a really poorly constructed team. It's not beyond repair, but there have to be a few very shrewd moves to shore up the wings, and they cannot afford anymore bad contracts. Once Bouma and Stajan are gone, and presuming Monahan isn't going to be this bad for the next seven years, there's not a single bad deal on the roster (depending how you feel about Gio - until he noticeably declines, it's not a bad deal).

Gaudreau-Monahan-Brouwer
Tkachuk-Backlund-Frolik
Bennett ($2.5M)-Jankowski-Ferland ($1.5M)
Hathaway ($825k)-Freddie-Bouma
Stajan

Giordano-Dougie
Alzner ($5.5M)-Brodie
Jokipakka ($1M)-Kylington/Andersson

Chad ($2.5M)
?

Without a backup/other starter, and assuming the raises in brackets, that team has a $65.1M cap hit. Assuming the cap stays at $73, they'll have nearly $8M to play with after signing their own FAs and adding Alzner. And they still have a ton of work to do.

They really need kids to start taking jobs.

11-29-2016, 05:12 PM	#39
GreenLantern2814 Franchise Player Join Date: Mar 2011 Exp:	At this juncture, Jon Gillies has to see significant time in the NHL this season before I'm willing to pencil him in as one of our two full time guys next year. I've felt for over a year that Backlund is a trade chip this offseason to address other weaknesses, but given how he's been the clear cut best centre on the team for quite a while now, I think the Flames have to prioritize getting him extended. Something in the five year range closer to $25M than $30M. The small mercy of Bennett's underwhelming season will be his next contract - he's as clear a bridge candidate as we're going to get, so I look forward to a couple years of Sammy at $2.5M. I cannot friggen believe we have ANOTHER year of both Bouma and Stajan, who combine to make $5.325M. That can't be allowed to happen. The cap era means you pay your stars their money. Everyone else pretty well has to be on rookie deals or close to the league minimum. On the bright side, letting those two players go pays for Backlund's extension. Lance Bouma has already been replaced by Garnett Hathaway. Stajan has had a great (For him) start where he hasn't played entirely like replacement-level roster filler and yet I'll argue Mark Jankowski is four or five games from making Stajan irrelevant as well. There's no chance we should bring back a 35 year old Engelland. Thank the gods that his contract hasn't been a total boat anchor for the past three seasons. Then walk away. If I were the Golden Knights, I'd take Kulak ahead of Jokipakka without much hesitation - I don't know that I'd bring Kevin back for much more than a 2-year/$1M per deal. Between Wideman, Smid, Engelland, Bollig and Elliott, there's 14.45M in real money off the cap next year. CapFriendly has the projected cap space available to be $20.65M. RFAs to be signed include Ferland, Bennett, Chiasson, Hathaway. I'd give Ferland a 2 year/$3M extension, Bennett 2/$5M, Hathaway 1/$875K, and Chiasson can GTFO. Chad can come back on a 2/$5M pact as well. After a quick look at pending UFA forwards on CapFriendly - there isn't a single one of them worth paying UFA money to on July 1. Oshie is a 50-point forward who's going to get $6M. Pass. Pass pass pass pass pass. This is an offseason where Brad needs to make his hay on the trade market. His recent big UFA signings have been alright - Frolik was a really good get, he's our most consistent winger. Brouwer started hot and slowed down, but I don't think you see the benefits of a player like Troy on a bottomfeeder. He needs to be in big moments and pressure situations for fans to truly appreciate his game. On the back end, they can afford to sign a top-4 blue liner. I agree with those who've thrown Alzner's name out there - I think he and Brodie would be excellent together. He's making $2.8 now, could he be had on a 6 or 7 year term for $5.5 a la Orpik? I'd be happy with that deal, don't know if it gets it done though. The way the cap situation sets up, this is still a really poorly constructed team. It's not beyond repair, but there have to be a few very shrewd moves to shore up the wings, and they cannot afford anymore bad contracts. Once Bouma and Stajan are gone, and presuming Monahan isn't going to be this bad for the next seven years, there's not a single bad deal on the roster (depending how you feel about Gio - until he noticeably declines, it's not a bad deal). Gaudreau-Monahan-Brouwer Tkachuk-Backlund-Frolik Bennett ($2.5M)-Jankowski-Ferland ($1.5M) Hathaway ($825k)-Freddie-Bouma Stajan Giordano-Dougie Alzner ($5.5M)-Brodie Jokipakka ($1M)-Kylington/Andersson Chad ($2.5M) ? Without a backup/other starter, and assuming the raises in brackets, that team has a $65.1M cap hit. Assuming the cap stays at $73, they'll have nearly $8M to play with after signing their own FAs and adding Alzner. And they still have a ton of work to do. They really need kids to start taking jobs.