Adding Size/Grit To The Flames Top Six/Nine Forwards This Off-Season

[Roof-Daddy]

***Make Note, I'm not suggesting we add any of these guys without first trading away one or more of our smaller/softer veteran top six forwards. I don't want any of these players added at the expense of our up and comers getting ice time, but I think it might be a good idea to replace a "Cammalleri and/or Tanguay" with a "Horton and/or Clowe"***


It's no secret, we lack size/toughness/grit/two way play among our group of top six/nine wingers. It's even been noted by our GM in interviews, and with how Feaster tried to sign Prust last off-season, it's obviously not something they didn't realize even before going into the season.

Any guesses as to how they attempt to address it this off-season?

There are some decently sized wingers out there on the UFA market this off-season, and other teams have some guys under contract who might be available.

Here's a list of all bigger sized wingers, some of them are the complete package, but most of them aren't without their flaws, like inconsistency, "post-apex", big cap hits, long term contracts or they battle the injury bug.

Still, for the right price, and given that the Flames still keep spots open for our younger players, all of these players I've listed bring elements to our roster that are sorely lacking.


UFA's

LW - Ryane Clowe (30) - 6'2 - 225lbs -> Inconsistent, and 30 years old. But tough, mean, physical and is capable of top six numbers.

RW - Nathan Horton (27) - 6'2 - 230lbs -> Inconsistent and has the concussion issues, but is a complete player when on his game....and is still young enough to still be effective in 3-5 years.

RW - Viktor Stalberg (27) - 6'3 - 210lbs -> Has the size, but tends not to use enough. Still, very fast, can put up top six/nine numbers and is still fairly young.

LW - Bryan Bickell (27) - 6'4 - 235lbs -> Massive frame, but not the best skater. Defensively responsible, and has some offensive upside. Also fairly young.

LW - Dustin Penner (30) - 6'4 - 240lbs -> Laugh, I know, but he's huge, and probably won't command a whole lot as a UFA given his inconsistency issues. Just keep him away from the pancakes.


Contracted Players

While I don't "know" if any of these guys are available, it's possible some of them are, and a few of them might not cost an arm and a leg to get due to consistency or contract issues, but might be a help to a young, small, rebuilding team like ours.


LW - Milan Lucic (24) - 6'4 - 220lbs -> His big money contract kicks in next season, and he has under performed this season quite a bit. Still, he's young enough and has shown enough in the past, that I don't think the Bruins will be looking to move him, at least not with out receiving a massive return.

LW - Dany Heatley (32) - 6'4 - 220-lbs -> Production has dropped off the last couple seasons, and he is most definitely NOT pre-apex. We have lots of cap space though next season, and he's only got the one year left....plus Minnesota is set up for cap hell next season unless they move a big ticket out, so he might be had for cheap.

LW - Scott Hartnell (31) - 6'2 - 210lbs -> Some people hate him, in fact lots of fans do, but he's exactly the "type" of guy our roster needs IMO. Gives it everything he's got, agitates, hits, has size, and can score too. Problem with Scotty isn't his cap hit (4.75 mil), it's the length of the contract. Signed until he's 37 years old.

LW - Ryan Malone (33) - 6'4 - 220lbs -> Older and injury prone, but a very effective two way player when healthy. He's only got two more years after this season left at $4.5 million, so if he could be had for cheap I wouldn't mind him brought in for his physical presence, two way play, and leadership.

LW - RJ Umberger (30) - 6'2 - 220lbs -> Still 4 more years at $4.6 million per, can be inconsistent, and sometimes forgets he's 6'2, 220lbs.....but when he's on, he's a very effective power forward with a two way game.


How would you like to see the Flames address the issue this off-season?

[GGG]

I would love to ridiculously overpay Ryan Clowe on a 1 year deal and trade him at the deadline. Like 6 million. I think his toughness would help the teams op six and he provides valuable assets at the deadline.

[Heavy Jack]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

LW - Dustin Penner (30) - 6'4 - 240lbs -> Laugh, I know, but he's huge, and probably won't command a whole lot as a UFA given his inconsistency issues. Just keep him away from the pancakes.

So sign him after the Stampede??

Great post though, really want to target Bickell and or Stalberg. Both have really good size that could help us in the bottom 6. Bickell - Bouma - McGrattan would be a great 4th line with lots of size and grit. I think its time to move on from Jackman.

[dammage79]

Stalberg And Horton would be worth a look for sure. Seeing as the RW position is weakest. Not sure if the Flames can get Zykov or Hartman at the draft. If not, then lock one or both of those guys up for a couple years.

[JurassicTunga12]

Horton interests me the most. Wouldn't mind Lucic either.

[memphusk]

20 Hartnells please.

[Dorkmaster]

People should note that its going to cost a fortune for most of these players. I read somewhere that Clowe was looking for an 8 year deal. Such a gross price for this type of player.

I'd rather go for a lower end guy in the 3 million 4 year range. Not really sure who fits the bill though.

[Goodlad]

Surprised David Clarkson didn't make that list. At 29 I don't think he's post-apex yet, although if he was signed long term he would likely be by the end of the contract. Think he would be a good signing, especially since he plays RW

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by Dorkmaster

People should note that its going to cost a fortune for most of these players. I read somewhere that Clowe was looking for an 8 year deal. Such a gross price for this type of player.

I'd rather go for a lower end guy in the 3 million 4 year range. Not really sure who fits the bill though.

That sounds like it might be in Stalberg's range.....maybe a bit of an over payment for him, but he will likely have multiple suitors if he hits UFA status.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by Goodlad

Surprised David Clarkson didn't make that list. At 29 I don't think he's post-apex yet, although if he was signed long term he would likely be by the end of the contract. Think he would be a good signing, especially since he plays RW

Just forgot about him, it wasn't a "definitive list", so to speak.

You're right, he'd be an excellent option.

[Miniac]

Great post Roof-Daddy.

Players that interest me

UFA's

LW - Ryane Clowe - Yes
RW - Nathan Horton - Yes
RW - Viktor Stalberg - Maybe
LW - Bryan Bickell - Maybe
LW - Dustin Penner - No

Contracted Players

LW - Milan Lucic - Yes
LW - Dany Heatley -Not at all
LW - Scott Hartnell - Yes
LW - Ryan Malone - Not at all
LW - RJ Umberger - On the fence

Along with size and grit, we should look at defensively responsible and good skater these are crucial attributes.

Preferably adding one of the players from the UFA list would be ideal.

[FlameZilla]

If we can ditch 1 soft veteran top 6 guy (Tanguay, Cammalleri or Stajan) and upgrade them to a bigger top 6 guy we'd be a much tougher team to play against. Horton would be a good player for us, but what is he if not a slightly less talented Iginla with the same cap-hit? I'd be a fan of local boy Dany Heatley joining us, but I suspect he might float out to the end of his career... If he could be had for really, really cheap then I'd explore that option (provided we ditch Tanguay or Cammalleri)

Horton, and maybe Iginla, are the only top 6 forward UFAs I'd target.

[Miniac]

Originally Posted by FlameZilla

If we can ditch 1 soft veteran top 6 guy (Tanguay, Cammalleri or Stajan) and upgrade them to a bigger top 6 guy we'd be a much tougher team to play against. Horton would be a good player for us, but what is he if not a slightly less talented Iginla with the same cap-hit? I'd be a fan of local boy Dany Heatley joining us, but I suspect he might float out to the end of his career... If he could be had for really, really cheap then I'd explore that option (provided we ditch Tanguay or Cammalleri)

Horton, and maybe Iginla, are the only top 6 forward UFAs I'd target.

Ditch both Tanguay & Cammalleri, its time to move on.

[Alberta_Beef]

As much as I would love to sign a top 6 forward that plays a gritty style it is going to be difficult to get a UFA to sign here and trading for one will cost assets we can not afford to move during a rebuild.

[H2SO4(aq)]

I'd strongly look at Horton as a UFA.

Then take a run at Hartnell in a trade for Hudler +.

This would basically shore up our top six and jump start the rebuild in a big way. You would have some great depth and some real character guys to teach the kids coming up. Problem is it takes time away from the young guys, but realistically I only see Baertschi and maybe Gaudreau as top six wingers, so it wouldnt be such a problem.

[dissentowner]

Flyers are not trading Hartnell, he oozes Flyer.

[H2SO4(aq)]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

Flyers are not trading Hartnell, he oozes Flyer.

The greatest player in the game was once traded.






































Dion Phaneuf.

[FlameZilla]

Originally Posted by Miniac

Ditch both Tanguay & Cammalleri, its time to move on.

Yeah, for sure. If we only ditch one though I vote Tanguay. That Cammy contract has to be near impossible to move, and I think he has a decent attitude for the young guys to emulate.

[GettinIggyWithIt]

The Flames definitely need to subtract a couple of the softer, skill players and add a couple of skill players with size and grit this off-season. I think Tanguay should go and at least one of Cervenka/Hudler/Stajan. I've been pleasantly surprised with Stajan's play and still think the other two could do well in a top 6 role (either here or with another team) but we need to add that size and grit. My vote is for Clarkson but I think he's going to be a big target for many teams this off-season and may get overpaid. Bickell would also be a good addition IMO but not in the top 6 - more fitting as a third line player.

[Canada 02]

David Steckel might be a good 4th line option. One of the best faceoff men in the league, but not much else
He's been in the high 50's, low 60's in FO percentage the last number of years

He's also a giant, 6'6" 220lbs