[DeluxeMoustache]

There is a thread which is aimed at clarifying the impact of Tkachuk’s bonuses on the cap, and one for what to do with Brodie and Hamonic in the off season. There are also conversations which factor in preparation for the expansion draft in light of the fact that Calgary has so many D that are good, from valuable veterans to cost controlled studs and very promising young D.

The bigger picture I would like to get some opinions on is what happens for next year. Tkachuk is going to get paid, and the Flames, based on their commitments today, don’t have the money to get it, and everything else, done.

Something’s gotta give! Next year’s cap situation is ugly!

On one hand, Tre has some killer value contracts. Johnny, Monny, Lindholm, and Gio are on long term deals that are safe (in the sense that they are money well spent) , and, in my opinion, the envy of the rest of the league. This year, Tkachuk at his ELC looks like the best contract in the NHL.

But... this off season, Tkachuk needs a new contract. Uh oh.

From CapFriendly, it looks like there is approximately 12.5 million to sign the roles with these 2018-19 cap hits:

Key RFAs :
Tkachuk (RFA) - 925 (excl bonuses)
Bennett (RFA) - 1.9

These guys are due for new contracts and we will be watching the rest of this season closely.

Goaltending :
Smith - 4.25
Rittich - 800
- We know Smith disappears, but if Rittich keeps playing like this, then keeping the total G cap hit around 5 is potentially in the cards, with a 1-2 M backup. So these are a wash
- Budget 5 M

Replacement level / depth :
Hathaway - 850
Prout - 800
Mangiapane - 705
- these are replacement level roles that will get equivalent dollars
- Budget 2.3 M minimum

So if the goalies take 5, and the replacement guys take 2.3, that is 7.3 of the 12.5.

Tkachuk and Bennett make about 2.9 today.

Incremental salary available for Tkachuk and Bennett:
- 2.2 M, based on projected CapFriendly numbers (!)
- plus the amount the cap increases for the team

Presumably the Flames need to find around 8-9 Million for Tkachuk and Bennett, or 6 million extra. Where do the Flames find it?

Here are some current contracts:

Neal - 5.75 (4 more yrs)
Brutal value for money so far. Delete him from the picture (which, based on current production, would be easy) and you are almost fine. (Also carrying 1.5 for Brouwer, which freed up one winger slot, which you can argue Neal filled). What an albatross so far!

Backlund - 5.35 (5 more years)
Has been regarded as one of the best 2 way centres in the game by some and a core piece. Keith Tkachuk has seconded how fortunate Matthew is to play with him every night.

Frolik - 4.3 (1 more year)
30 years old now. Has a good pedigree and is delivering value for money. Agent made controversy with some social media mention of his ice time, and referencing him being a good productive team guy.
(Controversial statement: When you look at the signing of Neal and Ryan, plus the pending contract from Tkachuk, then Peters’ use of Frolik, I am inclined to give some credence to the idea that Frolik was/is not in the long term plans. But the value those guys have delivered is debatable. Not to mention they are both older than Frolik!)

Ryan - 3.15 (2 more yrs)
A 32 year old who was coming off a 1 year, 1.4 contract. Which was his only contract above 600 K. Too much for a 4th liner, even if he does win some draws. I know he is Peters’ guy, but at that salary, one could argue he is Peters’ Freddie Hamilton. (WTF was Tre thinking?)

Brodie - 4.65 M (1 year)
Back to elite on his comfortable side. Brodano can’t be denied as a thing of beauty. And Gio having the comfort in his old partner to go from 38.5 points average in full seasons to point per game, you have to be real careful in understanding his value.

Hamonic - 3.86 M (1 year)
Living up to the expectations of acquisition cost and luckily his raise comes after next season.

Stone - 3.5 (1 more year)
Depth defenseman. LTIR now, not in the future plans, I would imagine. Best wishes for a complete recovery. If he gets healthy, he doesn’t fit on my roster next year.

Brodie, Hamonic and Frolik are all being discussed, but all to me are key players and value for money.

Stone also represents 3.5 on the IR which to me, if he is healthy, probably has to be expendable.


Anyways, the Flames are in a bind. Even before seeing how deep they go in the playoffs, they have to find money next year. Something has to give. What is it?


To me, looking at:
- Neal - the team is succeeding without Neal’s offense, and he right now, based on the first half of the season, is the most overpaid and one dimensional player on the roster.
- Ryan - for the handful of extra faceoffs Ryan wins, how many deliver real value to the team? ‘Advanced stats’ we can discuss in another thread.
- Stone - is on LTIR but doesn’t fit next year.

Can Tre get out from under these 3 and generally keep the team intact?

** Also, can we acknowledge that when guys like Stone from Ottawa, or goalies like Bobrovsky or Quick (who are going to be paid) are rumoured to come available, that Tre has a ton of value on great contracts, but still a lot of internal housekeeping to manage this off season? I see pretty much no opportunity to be a buyer of any sort. Fans are going to have to settle for this assembly of awesomeness.

How do you see Tre managing this jam?