Well, it is likely that for the first time in many years, UFA Brett Ritchie won't be a signing. I rather like what he brings for the 4th line, however.
Forwards:
Ruzicka, Duehr, Pelletier and Coronato will all likely be a part of the team. Maybe Coronato shows that he needs more seasoning - possibly - and gets sent down to the AHL, but he is likely to start in the NHL IMO. Zary had a great camp last year and is likely to see some time up in the NHL this year for injuries, assuming he doesn't make the team.
Goalies:
Wolf is graduating. So either Vladar or Markstrom is likely to be traded. I don't think another NHL goalie signing is likely.
Defencemen:
This is where things get more murky for me. Assuming nobody moves, then I would think the Flames run with the same group as last year + Kylington returns.
Hanifin - Tanev
Weegar - Andersson
Kylington - Zadorov
7th D includes Stecher (a bit rich for a 7th D maybe), Stone, Gilbert (I liked him last year, and he has another year left on his deal). That's a pretty good group. Obviously the Hanifin, Tanev and (to a lesser extent, the Zadorov) situations have an enormous impact here. I have always liked Gudas, but he probably gets priced out. Stetcher makes the most sense to re-sign depending on what happens. Stone has always been a 'given' here, but there is a new GM and coach in place, so it is more of a question mark than usual.
My bet is that defence is where we see most of the signings and movement.
One note: This team has gotten significantly 'lighter' in the last 2 seasons. Barring a re-sign, the team has shed Lucic, Gudbranson, and Ritchie(s). Zadorov is on his last year and is an upcoming UFA as well - is Zadorov part of the 'sign or be traded group' (probably not, but who knows?). No idea how Conroy feels about this position, but the newly hired Special Advisor has always felt that he prefers to have a guy around to police (so that Iginla didn't have to do it as often). Will be interesting to see how the Flames address this, as they are significantly a much lighter team. Will also be interesting to see if Conroy re-signs Phillips. If that happens, I would assume that there is a handshake agreement in place to have Phillips play a certain amount of games. Having Phillips with Pelletier, Coronato, Mangiapane, Kylington, (Stetcher??)... at any rate, this team is trending towards being a small team. Maybe it doesn't matter, maybe it does. I do wonder if Conroy addresses this or not. Maybe you see a guy like Austin Watson brought in - not exactly a heavy, but a guy who plays with a lot of jam, has the size, but is a strong skater? Something to keep an eye on anyway.
It is incredibly difficult to speculate on who the Flames may bring in without knowing what happens with the important players entering their last year on their contracts. If I am guessing, defence is where we will see the most movement from the UFA front, as there just doesn't seem to be anyone ready to step up if 2 bodies end up moving.
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