Quote:
Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe
This is a curious signing from my perspective.
Obviously Bartkowski isn't an upgrade on what the Flames currently have - and for the sake of argument, even if he is, it is negligible.
So, I tend to agree with this signing as meeting the expansion draft requirements.
The question I have about this is - does this mean that Jokipakka and Engelland are definitely not in the plans for next season? Perhaps this is just a 'just in case' signing. Is Jokipakka asking for too much? Flames are just not interested in bringing Jokipakka back on a 1-way, and Jokipakka doesn't want to sign a 2-way? Jokipakka would definitely meet the expansion requirements.
I am ok with the Flames bringing him in, and even better if Gulutzan was the driver behind it. Maybe Gulutzan has some insight into how Bartkowski was utilized and knew it just wasn't a good fit for him in Van, and feels he can be better here? As long as he doesn't play favorites with him, having a coach familiar with a player is a good thing usually.
Interesting and (at least for me) really unexpected. I thought for sure the Flames were going to get Jokipakka re-signed in short order here. I guess they still might, but I am less sure about it now, and wouldn't be surprised if he was simply walked away as a FA in the off-season.
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Yeah this makes the most sense. Jokipakka hasn't been very good this year and if Calgary doesn't want to re-sign him, signing Bartkowski gives Calgary options at the trade deadline and at the expansion draft, and they can walk away from Jokipakka.
I also wouldn't be surprised if they walk away from guys like Wotherspoon, Culkin and Morrison. Bartkowski would give them some veteran depth for Stockton next year.