Quote:
Originally Posted by Aarongavey
This could be another side benefit of this deal, if UFA’s do not want to sign with the Flames it will be a longterm win. UFA’s seem to have about a 70 percent fail rate in the League, overpaid with too much term is usually the story on most UFA’s.
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Not only that but the fact is Calgary is at the bottom of the list for the high profile UFA’s anyways. It’s not like the Flames are a destination when players have a choice. It’s rare for any top player to choose the Flames unless they overpay and give more term(just as they did with Neal). Hence, the Flames don’t have to worry about the UFA image as they are not an option for the elite or high end free agents.
The low to mid tier UFAs will always be the ones who the Flames have some semblance of hope with. Those can’t be choosers for the most part. As they don’t have as many options.
As well, from my understanding and sources, the only two teams willing to give Neal some term as a UFA with the 5 million plus yearly average was the Knights and Flames.
Flames only able to acquire/sign Neal as they were forced to give an extra year.