Minor League UFA's & RFA's - Who Should We Keep/Let Go

[Roof-Daddy]

Goalies

RFA - Leland Irving
UFA - Matt Keetley

Defenseman

RFA - Brendan Mikkelson
RFA - Matt Pelech
RFA - Josh Meyers
RFA - Gord Baldwin

Forwards

RFA - John Armstrong
RFA - Hugo Carpentier
UFA - Kris Chucko
UFA - Cam Cunning
UFA - Ryan Stone


I've bolded who I think the Flames should qualify/re-sign.

With Ortio coming over, and Keetley's inability to move forward I think his time with the Flames org is over.

I think it's also time to part ways with Chucko. A dissapointing 1st round bust, but it's not going to happen.

I'd like to see Stone re-signed and would love it if he would make the Flames roster as the 4th line center/extra forward. Gotta stay healthy though.

[Imported_Aussie]

Cunning had a pretty good camp last year, from all accounts, is he worth giving another shot, and at worst case being an experienced AHL guy in Abbottsford?
I agree Keetley and Carpentier should be gone, but split on Meyers and Chucko. Meyers could be a steady AHL guy on that blueline and me be worth keeping around just as an AHL guy. Chucko is that guy who you need to decide if he is worth 1 more shot or cut your losses. Perhaps giving him a 1 year, league min deal, 2-way, and tell him this is his last kick at the can? I just don't know at what point with a guy like that you walk away - it may depend on overall contract numbers, and how close the flames get to the 50 contract limit, whether you use a contract up to give a guy one last shot

[Flamesguy_SJ]

I agree with the OP, with the addition of Cunning. Seems like a guy that could be a contributer in Abbotsford and maybe come up for a cup of coffee if need be.

As far as Chucko is concerned, I would be greatly surprised if he signed again. Last year, he was the one pushing for just a one-year contract, so I doubt he'll be looking to come back to the Flames organization.

[VladtheImpaler]

There is no reason to keep Pelech - you are just wasting one of your 50 contracts at this point...

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

Originally Posted by VladtheImpaler

There is no reason to keep Pelech - you are just wasting one of your 50 contracts at this point...

TBQH I don't think the Flames organization is going to have a problem with contract space this season.

If we look at it this way and take a ballpark guess at who won't be here next season, we see likes of these players coming off of the Flames books:

Modin
Morrison
Staios
Pardy
Chucko
Meyers
Carpentier
Kronwall
Cunning
Conroy
Keetley

That's 11 contracts gone or only 39 contracts.

I think we still have room for Pelech because I see fewer players coming in to the organization than I see leaving. The likes of Ferland, Holland, Reinhart, and Leach don't have to be signed until the next off-season.

As for who I'd like to stick around. I wouldn't mind Stone, Cunning, Armstrong, Pelech, or Irving. I'm a little on the fence Mikkelson and Baldwin at this point.

Edit: Also, if Kotalik does decide to go to play in the KHL because the Flames don't want his services. Does that mean he comes off the books to? or is it just another Steffan Kronwall situation with a bigger cap hit?

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by Pierre "Monster" McGuire

Edit: Also, if Kotalik does decide to go to play in the KHL because the Flames don't want his services. Does that mean he comes off the books to? or is it just another Steffan Kronwall situation with a bigger cap hit?

It's a Kronwall situation, but with a bigger cap hit. Flames pay him his 3 million, and the contract counts against our limit.

[kirant]

Goalies

RFA - Leland Irving
UFA - Matt Keetley

Defenseman

RFA - Brendan Mikkelson
RFA - Matt Pelech
RFA - Josh Meyers
RFA - Gord Baldwin

Forwards

RFA - John Armstrong
RFA - Hugo CarpentierUFA - Kris Chucko
UFA - Cam Cunning
UFA - Ryan Stone

I'd keep the bold. I think Cunning could be a possible call-up next year and the rest could be players on the Flames now or in the future.

[Reign of Fire]

Originally Posted by Pierre "Monster" McGuire

TBQH I don't think the Flames organization is going to have a problem with contract space this season.

If we look at it this way and take a ballpark guess at who won't be here next season, we see likes of these players coming off of the Flames books:

Modin
Morrison
Staios
Pardy
Chucko
Meyers
Carpentier
Kronwall
Cunning
Conroy
Keetley

That's 11 contracts gone or only 39 contracts.

I think we still have room for Pelech because I see fewer players coming in to the organization than I see leaving. The likes of Ferland, Holland, Reinhart, and Leach don't have to be signed until the next off-season.

As for who I'd like to stick around. I wouldn't mind Stone, Cunning, Armstrong, Pelech, or Irving. I'm a little on the fence Mikkelson and Baldwin at this point.

Edit: Also, if Kotalik does decide to go to play in the KHL because the Flames don't want his services. Does that mean he comes off the books to? or is it just another Steffan Kronwall situation with a bigger cap hit?

Feaster said he plans on re-signing Pardy, don't know why though

[flambers]

Originally Posted by kirant

Goalies

RFA - Leland Irving - qualified
UFA - Matt Keetley - gone.

Defenseman

RFA - Brendan Mikkelson - qualified
RFA - Matt Pelech - released
RFA - Josh Meyers - released
RFA - Gord Baldwin - qualified

Forwards

RFA - John Armstrong - qualified
RFA - Hugo Carpentier - released
UFA - Kris Chucko - gone
UFA - Cam Cunning - gone
UFA - Ryan Stone - gone

.

I believe Feaster is going to clean house with the prospects who have no chance at becoming an NHLer.

Flames will fill some of the roster space at AHL with AHL contracts.

[flambers]

Originally Posted by Reign of Fire

Feaster said he plans on re-signing Pardy, don't know why though

He said, they were going to try to re-ssign Pardy and Carson.

Later on in the Month (after Karlson and Tanguay).

[GreenLantern2814]

Chucko is gone, IMO. He's just not cut out for the NHL game; he's too slow, hasn't been much of an offensive threat in the AHL, isn't a whiz on the PK and on top of everything else, he isn't even a center. Not a great list of attributes for a guy who was drafted almost 8 years ago.

Frankly, I'm fed up with most of those guys listed; Pelech? Bye. You're a first-round pick who, six years after you were drafted, still has trouble with the blazing outside speed of Dustin fricking Boyd. Never mind what Henrik Sedin or Ryan Kesler will do to you, Andrew Cogliano would probably look like Glenn Anderson circa 1984 against you.

Keetley? You had one good pre-season game 2 years ago. You have done nothing but regress since then. At the rate you're going, in three years, I suspect you'll be on the same intellectual level as Lloyd Christmas. Goodbye and good luck selling tires.

Frankly, all these guys are replaceable with UFA signings. Supplement the farm with some good-producing career AHL guys to give the Abbotsford faithful something entertaining to watch. IMO, the AHL team should be comprised mostly of AHL vets and supplemented with the young kids the organization knows are going to get a shot in the bigs. You don't need to be Scotty Bowman to tell that Matt Pelech is not going to be an impact defender at the NHL level.

Separate the wheat from the chafe. Keep Irving, Mikkelson and Armstrong. Cut the others.

[Lunatik]

Goalies

RFA - Leland Irving - definitely re-sign, ideally 2 years @ 600k-ish
UFA - Matt Keetley - let him walk

Defenseman

RFA - Brendan Mikkelson - let him walk
RFA - Matt Pelech - I would give him 1 year @ 500k, if he doesn't take that I wouldn't qualify him
RFA - Josh Meyers - let him walk
RFA - Gord Baldwin - re-sign, I think he has some potential still

Forwards

RFA - John Armstrong - re-sign him, he's had injury troubles, give him 1 more year to get healthy
RFA - Hugo Carpentier - never should have been given an ELC
UFA - Kris Chucko - let him walk, maybe sign him to a straight AHL contract
UFA - Cam Cunning - let him walk
UFA - Ryan Stone - let him walk

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by Lunatik

Defenseman

RFA - Brendan Mikkelson - let him walk
RFA - Matt Pelech - I would give him 1 year @ 500k, if he doesn't take that I wouldn't qualify him

But why are we Keeping pelech? He's not quick enough for ahl forwards. What's worse, he doesn't have the hockey sense to compensate for this. Everyone seems to think he can be another Regehr, but that's very clearly not the case at this point. Regehr is a good skater.

If pelech were even a comparable defender to Hal Gill, that'd be something. But he's not. He is slow, inefficient, and not worth the organization's time any more. Even with the loss of Erixon, he's still what, tenth on the depth chart at best? For a first round pick, six years after he was drafted, that's a sign that NHL hockey is not in your future. If he were a 7th round pick, we would have cut him two years ago.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814

But why are Keeping pelech? He's not quick enough for ahl forwards. What's worse, he doesn't have the hockey sense to compensate for this. Everyone seems to think he can be another Regehr, but that's very clearly not the case at this point. Regehr is a good skater.

If pelech were even a comparable defender to Hal Gill, that'd be something. But he's not. He is slow, inefficient, and not worth the organization's time any more. Even with the loss of Erixon, he's still what, tenth on the depth chart at best? For a first round pick, six years after he was drafted, that's a sign that NHL hockey is not in your future. If he were a 7th round pick, we would have cut him two years ago.

He can at least play at the AHL level and he is something of an enforcer. The only half capable enforcer anywhere in the Flames system, including the big team. I'd like to see him get a year in without having to contend with serious injuries. If he can't improve at defence, move him up to forward where he would have less responsibilities.

I'd keep Mikkelson too on a two way. He might have some trade value and if not we'd lose him for nothing on waivers or he could play in the A and be a callup.

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

He can at least play at the AHL level and he is something of an enforcer. The only half capable enforcer anywhere in the Flames system, including the big team. I'd like to see him get a year in without having to contend with serious injuries. If he can't improve at defence, move him up to forward where he would have less responsibilities.

I'd keep Mikkelson too on a two way. He might have some trade value and if not we'd lose him for nothing on waivers or he could play in the A and be a callup.

Enforcer is a non-existent role these days. When we play Pittsburgh, does anyone worry about Eric Godard? No, they worry about Sid, Malkin, Letang, Staal, Neal etc. Real hockey players.

The entire lineup is more than capable of looking after themselves physically; Jackman, Glencross, Iggy, Bouma, Regehr, Sarich, Gio, Pardy, they'll answer the bell. We don't need to waste a roster spot on an enforcer; why would anyone but an Eric Godard type fight Pelech anyway? Furthermore, given that Pelech can't keep his shoulders in their sockets, why is he fighting?

I would agree that retaining Mikkelson is a good move; it doesn't hurt you, and the kid has to have some talent; he wasn't drafted as high as he was for nothing. He's also got some mobility about him, which is more than you can say for Pelech... the dude makes Adrian Aucoin look like Mason Raymond.

He is a wasted roster spot in Abbotsford. He's never healthy and doesn't have a real shot at making this team. Either a steady AHL vet who can mentor some kids and also stay healthy, or a new prospect are better suited to his spot.

I feel sorry for the guy, but it's becoming more and more clear that he simply doesn't have what it takes.

[Vulcan]

Enforcer is a non-existent role these days

Tell that to the Ducks who run roughshod over us also Chicago in the last playoffs we had, cripes even Detroit when we last played them in the playoffs. I don't think that the Flames line up is near tough enough despite the players you mention. Yeah the latest fad is no enforcers, but that can change at any time.

[WilsonFourTwo]

Goalies

RFA - Leland Irving - Keep. 2-3 years at a fair rate. Very little to lose.
UFA - Matt Keetley - Thanks for your service.

Defenseman

RFA - Brendan Mikkelson - Preferred over Pelech. Would attempt to sign.
RFA - Matt Pelech - Would need Mikkelson to say "No", and be a sweet deal.
RFA - Josh Meyers - Thanks for your service.
RFA - Gord Baldwin - I still think he has #5/6 NHL potential. I'd make an effort here.

Forwards

RFA - John Armstrong - I don't see how a 1 or 2 year deal hurts the Flames.
RFA - Hugo Carpentier - Thanks for your service.
UFA - Kris Chucko - 8 Years, not even PPG in the AHL. Thanks for your service.
UFA - Cam Cunning - Thanks for your service.
UFA - Ryan Stone - Thanks for your service.

Clearly, it's time to clean house.

[Lunatik]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814

But why are we Keeping pelech? He's not quick enough for ahl forwards. What's worse, he doesn't have the hockey sense to compensate for this. Everyone seems to think he can be another Regehr, but that's very clearly not the case at this point. Regehr is a good skater.

If pelech were even a comparable defender to Hal Gill, that'd be something. But he's not. He is slow, inefficient, and not worth the organization's time any more. Even with the loss of Erixon, he's still what, tenth on the depth chart at best? For a first round pick, six years after he was drafted, that's a sign that NHL hockey is not in your future. If he were a 7th round pick, we would have cut him two years ago.

you must be the Green Lantern from HF as this is the same kind of crap he always spewed. Pelech is more than capable at the AHL level, its the NHL that is the concern and rightly so, and while the number of NHL contracts is important we still need to field a competitive AHL club and Pelech would help with that. His only deficiency from what I have seen is his skating and I think for the time being as an AHLer and maybe emergency recall for a couple games its worth holding onto him for another year

[FlamesFanStrandedInEDM]

Matt Keetley...... Perfect NHL GAA and SV%

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

Originally Posted by FlamesFanStrandedInEDM

Matt Keetley...... Perfect NHL GAA and SV%

Huh?