Quote:
Originally Posted by Mean Mr. Mustard
They use up a retention spot but frankly who really care about retention spots on this team. They aren't going to be anywhere near the cap in the upcoming future nor should they be. The fact that the cap is going up as well makes retention slightly less valuable and there is no double retention anymore so that benefit is gone as well. Ultimately I don't think that it hurts the Flames in any measurable way.
Also think about how the Flames a few years ago got an asset for free and have managed to turn it into assets for a rebuild. Then look up in Edmonton where they sign a player than then have to buy them out (Campbell) or have to package them with a first round pick just to get rid of them (Mangipane). A UFA signing working out this well is really rare.
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Say next year they want to trade Coleman, Strome, and Frost who will all be pending UFA's. That's where losing a retention slot is a bit of a hinderence. It's a big reason why not retaining on Weegar is a benefit on that deal.
Let's not forget that the Flames ended up paying a pretty high pick plus Manahan in order to clear up the cap space to bring Kadri in. Conroy did well to get a good return here. But I don't think this series of transactions is the example to be heaving rocks at the Oilers moves. The Flames salvage this because they've become a bottom feeder about to miss the playoffs for a fourth straight season. The Oilers have won 7 playoff rounds in the last three seasons. The two teams have been in very different places on ice.