The Flames have 9 NHL forwards signed for next year, 5 NHL defencemen signed, and 1 NHL goalie signed. NHL free agents are: Iginla, Cervenka, Backlund (RFA), Comeau, Begin, Babchuk, Butler (RFA), Brodie (RFA), Irving (RFA) (bolded are re-signed). This puts the contracts at 21.
Non-roster players under contract are 7 forwards, 1 defenceman. Non-roster free agents are: Nemisz (RFA), Cameron (RFA), Wahl (RFA), Aliu (RFA), Bouma (RFA), Carson (UFA), Byron (RFA), Bancks (RFA), Patterson (RFA), Breen (RFA), Walter, Kolanos, Piskula.
This puts the contracts to 37.
Draftees that need to be signed: Wotherspoon, Granlund, Larsson, Brossoit, Ramage.
This puts the contracts to 41.
Karri Ramo, free agent in Russia needs to be signed.
This puts the contracts to 42.
That leaves up to 8 contracts (likely 5 to keep at 47) for free agents, depth, or college/European free agents.
Defence depth looks like this:
Giordano
Bouwmeester
Wideman
Brodie (re-signed)
Sarich
Smith
Butler (re-signed)
Martin (AHL)
Wotherspoon (AHL rookie)
Ramage (AHL rookie)
Breen (AHL)
Piskula (AHL – non-prospect)
I think there is a good chance a college free-agent defenceman signs. Beyond Giordano, Bouwmeester, and Wideman the depth chart is wide open (although Brodie has been making strides lately).
In any case the Flames will have room for college free agents and will likely sign 2 or 3.
|