Quote:
Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina
The risk factors I see are as follows
- Johnny isn't known to maintain strong off-ice fitness. I know you disagree with this being a factor, but I see it as one
- We are already seeing a potential fall of in play
- You will be buying only UFA years as opposed to a combo of RFA and UFA years.
Frankly, I think the Flames should be cautious about re-signing any pending UFAs to long-term deals as they enter their 30s. More cautious than they have been.
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Well we don't know that at all. We know when he first entered the league his diet was bad and yet he seems to have turned a corner. He came back from the break in great shape and when he talks food now it seems to be high protein meals. He talked about getting into the gym right away in his exit interview and I am sure his fiance being a nurse could have had a huge influence on his diet and fitness as well. As for the fall in play we saw his offensive numbers come down while his backcheck vastly improved. Everybody's offensive numbers fell off as the system was changed. He is one season removed from 99 points. If his play has fallen off then so has Monahan's, Lindholm's, Gio's, and even Tkachuk's to a degree. When you have a skilled offensive player told to play a chip and chase backcheck game his numbers are going to suffer. I am not sure what the buying UFA years point is. Should we trade Tkachuk too when his contract is up? Just recycle for young talent where we can bank cheaper RFA years? That doesn't sound like a way to ever win to me.