Quote:
Originally Posted by TheFlamesVan
To be a successful GM in the National Hockey League you need to have relationships with the other 30 organizations. They can't just "pick him up for free" like a surprising amount of posters have commented.
So how does that work exactly? You tell Engelland what you want to pay him and his role, but that you won't sign him until free agency. If he agrees to some under the table deal, and the Flames were looking to offer him a contract (everything I've heard from the Fan indicates the Flames wanted to), then you basically ruin that relationship. That's almost like circumventing the expansion draft.
The other side of it.... Engelland shows interest, but you have a possibility of 30 other teams calling him on July 1. Any single one of them could offer him more money and now you don't get the player you want..... just to try and steal 2 from a team. It's ridiculous.
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Yes you can tell him you plan to make him an offer as a UFA and gauge interest. If you waste a pick on a UFA they can still choose not to sign with you. Bird in the hand and so forth.