UFAs:
Versteeg - produced fairly well and just seems like a good veteran player who has championship experience. Loved his game in the playoffs.
Johnson - Had a great run when the team needed it. Unimpressive second half but he's been a pretty strong backup in other settings and I think he'll be better next season.
Stone - fit well with Brodie. Assuming he signs for a reasonable amount, it allows the Flames to avoid paying big money for a comparable 2nd pair D man.
RFAs:
Bennett - no brainer
Lazar - obviously the plan is to keep him around
Ferland - took another step this year. Not sure I like him as a first liner, but he's a good player
Gillies - was pencilling him in as the backup, but after checking out Bishop's career progression, I am now thinking that another year in Stockton will only help. Plus the competition he is sure to get from Parsons will be interesting to watch.
Vey - seems like he will stick to being a tweener, but he seems like a pretty good one.
Hathaway - surpassed Bouma in my mind and had a positive effect on the team more than other 4 liners have. Helped Stockton turn their season around.
Kulak - will probably be in the mix for a third pairning spot
Wotherspoon - Similar to Vey in that he might never get a full-time spot, but is a good player for Stockton.
Notable omissions:
Chiasson - improved by the end of the season but prefer Hathaway and Lazar -- also don't want him anywhere near Gaudreau's wing or even Bennett's for that matter.
Engelland - heard from a friendly source that Engelland will be seeking a raise and I want the Flames to decrease the number of bloated contracts on the bottom end of the roster. Flames will miss his toughness, to be sure, but they will probably spend a lot less time in their zone too.
Elliott - it was a worthwhile experiment that didn't turn out well enough to try again. As mentioned by Roof-Daddy above, there are alternative options that are better suited to the role of starter. Bishop would be a solid addition.
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