The Other RFAs

[Fire]

Now that Brodie is done, what will happen with the other RFAs.

What's left (excluding rookies/prospects):

1. Backlund - Corsi king and a guy who looks like he can produce at over a 0.5 ppg pace. Current cap hit of $1.5 million, meaning he will be due a significant raise. Nothing like Brodie of course but Backlund is closer to UFA status. I would be fine with 5 yrs 19 million ($3.8 per season).
2. Bouma - I thought his current contract ($775,000) was a bit insulting for what he gives. Great 4th liner and PKer. I would give him a 3 year extension totalling $3.75 ($1.25 per season). For a 4th liner I don't think you want to go any longer than 3 years.
3. Byron - Small energy player, with so-so offensive potential. It's unclear to me at this point if the Flames should sign him to a multi-year deal. IMO, unlike Bouma, we don't really know what Byron's potential could be. I think you need to let this season play out before thinking contract.

[devo22]

Backlund - 4 x 4.0
Bouma - 2 x 1.5
Byron - 2 x 1.25

but actually let's extend Hartley first. For me, him and Backlund have to be the priorities now that Brodie is signed.

[Arya Stark]

I would give Bouma $2.25 million. Salary cap is going up and I think he brings a lot to the table. Don't insult him and don't play hardball with him.

After losing Prust, we can't really afford to lose Bouma.

And I disagree with the OP calling him a fourth liner. I think he is a third liner at the very least.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Backlund - 3 x 3.5
Bouma - 2 x 1.25
Byron 2 x 1.5

[DOOM]

Originally Posted by Arya Stark

I would give Bouma $2.25 million. Salary cap is going up and I think he brings a lot to the table. Don't insult him and don't play hardball with him.

After losing Prust, we can't really afford to lose Bouma.

And I disagree with the OP calling him a fourth liner. I think he is a third liner at the very least.

A third liner at the least?

He has a career high of 5 goals and 10 assists. I think he can fill in for third line duties just fine, but I think he is better suited to be a 4th liner + a great PKer.

He's making 775K this year, id have no problem giving him 1.25 (maybe a bit more) for 3/4 years.

[nik-]

It's time to reward Backlund for his love of playing for this club, his really improved play and the two short deals he's had. He's gotta get a 4 year deal.

I'm also of the mindset to pay Bouma in the next two years while the entry level deals are in effect for some of our future higher end players. The guy is going to have a short career with his playstyle, give him a 2x2 with the expectation that it might go down once we start signing the next round of deals.

[dammage79]

With the imminent arrival of Sam Bennett. I have some serous questions about who they move to make room for him. I personally don't want to see Backlund leave but do they risk sending Stajan out?

And Byron, such a positive story but where is there room for him with the likes of Granlund, Poirier, Ferland all kicking the door?

If I had my way, I'd re-sign Backlund 3-4 year deal at whatever, move Byron in a package deal to make an upgrade somewhere at the deadline.

I feel Stajan's last year is this year in CGY.

As for Bouma, whats good? 3 years 6m? He's never going to be top 6 but definitely a premier bottom 6 FWD. Certainly needs to be re-signed.

[FlameZilla]

Originally Posted by Arya Stark

I would give Bouma $2.25 million. Salary cap is going up and I think he brings a lot to the table. Don't insult him and don't play hardball with him.

After losing Prust, we can't really afford to lose Bouma.

And I disagree with the OP calling him a fourth liner. I think he is a third liner at the very least.

Don't kid yourself – he's a 3rd liner at the most. He could be one of the best defensive specialists & PK players out there one day but it's bad economics to overpay him just because you don't want him to be insulted. One day we're going to need to have the cap space to pay for 1st line talent. We saw enough "Cap Hell" during the Sutter years, thank you very much.

[foshizzle11]

Originally Posted by DOOM

A third liner at the least?

He has a career high of 5 goals and 10 assists. I think he can fill in for third line duties just fine, but I think he is better suited to be a 4th liner + a great PKer.

He's making 775K this year, id have no problem giving him 1.25 (maybe a bit more) for 3/4 years.

ya, i agree with you here. I think it would be great to have a 3rd line that still has some skill and can score goals. The ideal 4th line would be a shutdown, energy line and Bouma fits that line perfectly.

I think 1.5 to 2m for Bouma is fine, 2 or 3 years.

As for Backlund, he should get 4m for 4 years, I think that is fair. He does love playing for the Flames and I think he will be a great guy around for the rebuild and future success.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by dammage79

With the imminent arrival of Sam Bennett. I have some serous questions about who they move to make room for him. I personally don't want to see Backlund leave but do they risk sending Stajan out?

And Byron, such a positive story but where is there room for him with the likes of Granlund, Poirier, Ferland all kicking the door?

If I had my way, I'd re-sign Backlund 3-4 year deal at whatever, move Byron in a package deal to make an upgrade somewhere at the deadline.

I feel Stajan's last year is this year in CGY.

As for Bouma, whats good? 3 years 6m? He's never going to be top 6 but definitely a premier bottom 6 FWD. Certainly needs to be re-signed.

Risk sending Stajan out? He's playing minimal minutes right now anyway. I definitely would hope he's the odd man out. Unfortunately he has that newly minted 4 year deal

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by nik-

Risk sending Stajan out? He's playing minimal minutes right now anyway. I definitely would hope he's the odd man out. Unfortunately he has that newly minted 4 year deal

It's a value contact though, he might be playing filler minutes right now but teams know his cap hit is on par with or a little lower than his skill set.

But that's the risk I think, can they afford to sacrifice veteran leadership next season. or maximize the return and move Backlund? maybe not a risk, but a definite problem. And like I said, I'd rather keep Backlund.

[Arya Stark]

Originally Posted by DOOM

A third liner at the least?

He has a career high of 5 goals and 10 assists. I think he can fill in for third line duties just fine, but I think he is better suited to be a 4th liner + a great PKer.

He's making 775K this year, id have no problem giving him 1.25 (maybe a bit more) for 3/4 years.

I disagree. Third liners aren't known for their scoring prowess either. On this team he is a third liner and can slot in on the fourth line and sometimes even slot in on the second line. He is not a goon and is a very versatile player who has a little skill.

He is getting 12-16 minutes a night. Fourth liners don't get that much ice time.

[nik-]

I think the leadership on this team will be strong enough with Stajan. Backlund is the perfect 3rd line center for a contending team. Moving him would be a mistake.

[Jacks]

I don't see how less than 2M is an insult to Bouma. He's a solid contributor but he'll probably never be a huge money earner. I'd be surprised if he isn't signed in the 900K - 1.3M range.

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

Backlund - 3 x 3.5
Bouma - 2 x 1.25
Byron 2 x 1.5

Almost exactly what I was thinking.

[devo22]

Originally Posted by dammage79

With the imminent arrival of Sam Bennett. I have some serous questions about who they move to make room for him. I personally don't want to see Backlund leave but do they risk sending Stajan out?

And Byron, such a positive story but where is there room for him with the likes of Granlund, Poirier, Ferland all kicking the door?

If I had my way, I'd re-sign Backlund 3-4 year deal at whatever, move Byron in a package deal to make an upgrade somewhere at the deadline.

I feel Stajan's last year is this year in CGY.

As for Bouma, whats good? 3 years 6m? He's never going to be top 6 but definitely a premier bottom 6 FWD. Certainly needs to be re-signed.

I don't see the problem, honestly.

Monahan
Backlund
Bennett/Granlund
Stajan

two youngsters and two veterans. With Glencross probably leaving, there's also a spot on the wing to be had, and since both Bennett and Granlund can play on the wing too, I don't see a logjam. The good thing with Stajan is that he can play up and down the lineup ... he's a good veteran to have on your team, I think.

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by devo22

I don't see the problem, honestly.

Monahan
Backlund
Bennett/Granlund
Stajan

two youngsters and two veterans. With Glencross probably leaving, there's also a spot on the wing to be had, and since both Bennett and Granlund can play on the wing too, I don't see a logjam. The good thing with Stajan is that he can play up and down the lineup ... he's a good veteran to have on your team, I think.

Poirier, Ferland, Gaudreau all factor in as well when you mention LW or even RW. Not so much RW though. I still think the Flames need to hit the jack pot in the draft at the RW position. Could be a tough call between addressing D or RW.

And then there's Sven....

C is stacked and one needs to move still I think. And certainly no room for Byron.

[Arya Stark]

Originally Posted by FlameZilla

Don't kid yourself – he's a 3rd liner at the most. He could be one of the best defensive specialists & PK players out there one day but it's bad economics to overpay him just because you don't want him to be insulted. One day we're going to need to have the cap space to pay for 1st line talent. We saw enough "Cap Hell" during the Sutter years, thank you very much.

$2.25 million on a long term deal (4-5 years) is going to put us in cap hell?

That's not even the average salary in the NHL. Is Bouma better than the average player in the NHL? I think he brings more to the table than the average NHLer that's for sure.

He might not be a top 6 player on this team but I think he is top 6 in valuable forwards. If we lose Bouma, we are left with a huge hole.

He was second in the league in blocked shots last season among forwards. That alone will make him get a nice hefty raise. I don't see him getting less than $2 million on about a 4 year deal.

[Parallex]

Resign Backlund (3.25-3.5 for 4 years) and Bouma (900K-ish for 2 years). I'd reserve judgement on Byron until the end of the season I'd want to see him some more before deciding what kind of $/term I'd be willing to commit to him.

[Ashasx]

Stajan got the deal Backlund should have got.

[devo22]

Originally Posted by dammage79

Poirier, Ferland, Gaudreau all factor in as well when you mention LW or even RW. Not so much RW though. I still think the Flames need to hit the jack pot in the draft at the RW position. Could be a tough call between addressing D or RW.

And then there's Sven....

C is stacked and one needs to move still I think. And certainly no room for Byron.

Gaudreau - Backlund - Raymond
Bennett/Granlund - Monahan - Hudler
Byron - Bennett/Granlund - Colborne
Bollig - Stajan - Bouma
Baertschi, Ferland

with Sven and Ferland rotating in for Byron, Granlund etc. Somehow need to find a way to get rid of Jones though