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420since1974 · 04-22-2019, 05:23 PM

Will the Flames clear enough Cap Space for a new Top 6 Forward next season?
Personally, I doubt it.
Regardless if Smith is back next season or not, I expect that the Flames will spend roughly the same amount of money on goal-tending (currently $5.25M for both). It could be Rittich and Smith (at a reduced salary), or Rittich and someone new, but I seriously think that BT pays less than $6M combined).
I honestly doubt that there is any way to move Neal that would gain any Cap Space without giving up a very good prospect/draft pick, so I do not expect him to be traded before next season.
Trading Frolik ($4.3M), Brodie ($4.6504M), and Stone ($3.5M) for draft picks only should be just enough to cover the salary increases necessary to re-sign all of Calgary's RFAs and UFAs: Bennett, Fantenberg, Hathaway, Mangiapane, Prout, Quine, Rittich, Smith (or replacement) and Tkachuk.
I just don't see any Cap Space for a Top 6 forward without trading equal value roster player(s).
I think that BT will limit himself to minor depth tweaks (RD in Stockton is a definite need) and perhaps some gambles on overseas FAs in the 23 - 26 age range.

04-22-2019, 05:23 PM	#216
420since1974 Backup Goalie Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Calgary, Alberta Exp:	Will the Flames clear enough Cap Space for a new Top 6 Forward next season? Personally, I doubt it. Regardless if Smith is back next season or not, I expect that the Flames will spend roughly the same amount of money on goal-tending (currently $5.25M for both). It could be Rittich and Smith (at a reduced salary), or Rittich and someone new, but I seriously think that BT pays less than $6M combined). I honestly doubt that there is any way to move Neal that would gain any Cap Space without giving up a very good prospect/draft pick, so I do not expect him to be traded before next season. Trading Frolik ($4.3M), Brodie ($4.6504M), and Stone ($3.5M) for draft picks only should be just enough to cover the salary increases necessary to re-sign all of Calgary's RFAs and UFAs: Bennett, Fantenberg, Hathaway, Mangiapane, Prout, Quine, Rittich, Smith (or replacement) and Tkachuk. I just don't see any Cap Space for a Top 6 forward without trading equal value roster player(s). I think that BT will limit himself to minor depth tweaks (RD in Stockton is a definite need) and perhaps some gambles on overseas FAs in the 23 - 26 age range.