[Signing] Antoine Laganiere to Anahiem

[Bar-Down]

Bob McKenzie ‏@TSNBobMcKenzie 39m
College UFA F Antoine Laganiere of Yale has agreed to terms with ANA.

2 year deal starting this year, same as Hanowski.

When will we ever sign one of the more sought after NCAA players...

[devo22]

too bad we didn't get him. But I'm really glad that the Canucks and the Habs, both favourites for his signing, didn't get him either.

Plus Anaheim deserves some luck with NCAA players after last year.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by devo22

too bad we didn't get him. But I'm really glad that the Canucks and the Habs, both favourites for his signing, didn't get him either.

Plus Anaheim deserves some luck with NCAA players after last year.

Yeah, the NCAA owed them one....

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by Bar-Down

2 year deal starting this year, same as Hanowski.

When will we ever sign one of the more sought after NCAA players...

The same time as when we might actually start signing some decent NHL UFAs, which is when we actually become an appealing destination to play again. No one wants to be appart of a aging core team on the down slope (us pre deadline) and no one wants to get on at the ground floor of a re-build (us now). We'll need to mostly build from with in and start to head up the ladder before sought after NCAA players or NHL UFAs of any caliber want to sign here.

[Bar-Down]

Originally Posted by Cleveland Steam Whistle

The same time as when we might actually start signing some decent NHL UFAs, which is when we actually become an appealing destination to play again. No one wants to be appart of a aging core team on the down slope (us pre deadline) and no one wants to get on at the ground floor of a re-build (us now). We'll need to mostly build from with in and start to head up the ladder before sought after NCAA players or NHL UFAs of any caliber want to sign here.

I can understand established UFA players not wanting to sign here right now, but young prospects and NCAA players I think would be enticed to get playing time and a spot on the roster fairly quickly, rather than being stuck behind guys like Getzlaf, Perry, Ryan etc..

Example: Justin Schultz. He knew he was getting top dman minutes in that grease hole up north.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Cleveland Steam Whistle

The same time as when we might actually start signing some decent NHL UFAs, which is when we actually become an appealing destination to play again. No one wants to be appart of a aging core team on the down slope (us pre deadline) and no one wants to get on at the ground floor of a re-build (us now). We'll need to mostly build from with in and start to head up the ladder before sought after NCAA players or NHL UFAs of any caliber want to sign here.

so wrong, its a perfect place for young guys to sign now

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by Bar-Down

I can understand established UFA players not wanting to sign here right now, but young prospects and NCAA players I think would be enticed to get playing time and a spot on the roster fairly quickly, rather than being stuck behind guys like Getzlaf, Perry, Ryan etc..

Example: Justin Schultz. He knew he was getting top dman minutes in that grease hole up north.

That's a fair point, and I totally agree he wanted the ice time which drove him to the Edmonton opportunity. But I also think there was a belief (seemingly missguided ) that the Oilers were very much about to cross the cusp of the rebuild into legitimate playoff team, and were simply a player or two like JS away from doing that, which also helped make Justin's mind up.

The sought after NCAA players think they can come in and make an immediate difference, and are looking for opportunities where they feel they can get the ice time, but also their presence will be the difference in making the team hit a certain level. This is what I think JS thought he was getting in Edmonton. Right now the Flames only cover one of their criteria, playing time, and until more people believe there will be short term success here as well, we're going to miss out I think.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by dino7c

so wrong, its a perfect place for young guys to sign now

If you say so. Let me know when we actually sign one.

[CaptainCrunch]

Probably at the end of the day Anaheim came out with the better college playerr

[Roof-Daddy]

Well that's too bad.

Would have been nice to add a 22 year old, 6'4 220lb center to our prospect pool without giving up any assets to get him.

[Hatter]

[Roof-Daddy]

Honest question, how often do these free agent college guys ever amount to anything?

Usually there is hooplah every year about a handful of them, and then I forget about them.

Have any really broken through?

Matt Read is alright I guess, Justin Schultz is a D-bag but he's doin OK for a rookie I guess.

Anyone else?

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

Honest question, how often do these free agent college guys ever amount to anything?

Usually there is hooplah every year about a handful of them, and then I forget about them.

Have any really broken through?

Matt Read is alright I guess, Justin Schultz is a D-bag but he's doin OK for a rookie I guess.

Anyone else?

I really don't even include Schultz in this group. He was drafted, just a d-bag that didn't sign with his team because of his agent.

Bozak has been decent too I guess. Can't really think of anybody else.

Longer term I guess you have St.Louis, Boyle, Glencross, Bourque, and Rafalski.

Anaheim was successful at this getting Kunitz, Penner, and McDonald as college UFAs, and they all contributed to the cup win.

[Redmonster]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

Honest question, how often do these free agent college guys ever amount to anything?

Usually there is hooplah every year about a handful of them, and then I forget about them.

Have any really broken through?

Matt Read is alright I guess, Justin Schultz is a D-bag but he's doin OK for a rookie I guess.

Anyone else?

Blake Wheeler turned out pretty good

[Da_Chief]

Bozak, Conacher, Flynn.

Some showing good potential, waiting on their chance Brown, De Costa, Krug, Johnson. I'm sure there are others.

The point is its a free asset that can potentially work out. If you want a chance I don't know why you'd pick a stacked team? But it's their choice. Hopefully we can develop ours drafted guys properly.

[Canada 02]

this time last year, Feaster seemed to make a big deal of having contract room this year specifically to sign college UFAs.

Most of the highly touted have now signed. So were the Flames interested and lost out (other than Dekeyser), do they have someone else in mind, or was it Feaster being Feaster?

[Ped]

Originally Posted by Redmonster

Blake Wheeler turned out pretty good

Blake Wheeler was drafted 5th overall. I believe the poster is referring to undrafted college free agents.

[Roof-Daddy]

Actually, now that I think about it, Glencross turned out alright for an undrafted college UFA signing.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by Canada 02

this time last year, Feaster seemed to make a big deal of having contract room this year specifically to sign college UFAs.

Most of the highly touted have now signed. So were the Flames interested and lost out (other than Dekeyser), do they have someone else in mind, or was it Feaster being Feaster?

Pretty sure they just lost out.

Can't be overlooked that their are two sides to a negotiation and all these teams are pretty much offering identical contracts.

If a guying wants playing time right away he likely chooses Calgary, however if you want a good team to develop you, and some high quality linemates you choose Anaheim, Chicago, or Detroit.

[blankall]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

Honest question, how often do these free agent college guys ever amount to anything?

Usually there is hooplah every year about a handful of them, and then I forget about them.

Have any really broken through?

Matt Read is alright I guess, Justin Schultz is a D-bag but he's doin OK for a rookie I guess.

Anyone else?

This is really changing quickly though. More and more players are going to the NCAA, and the NCAA is becomming a much better development league.

It's also not so much that these prospects are amazing, it's that they're free. This is a descent prospect that is the equivalent to a 2nd/3rd round pick for nothing.