Building Blocks For The 2012/13 Heat

[Roof-Daddy]

The off-season hasn't officially started yet, for the NHL or AHL......but since the Heat's season is officially over now, I thought I'd start an off-season/next season thread.

Listed below are all signed players, UFA's, RFA's to date, I also included all of the AHL contract players / loaners that I could think of.


Forwards

Under Contract -

1. Lance Bouma (22) C/W
2. Greg Nemisz (22) C/W
3. Max Reinhart (20) C
4. Bryan Cameron (23) W
5. Ryan Howse (21) W
6. Mitch Wahl (22) C
7. Michael Ferland (20) W
8. Roman Horak (22) C/W
9. Carter Bancks (22) W
10. Turner Elson (20) W
11. Gaelen Patterson (22) C/W
12. Ben Walter (26) C
13. David Eddy (22) C/W
14. Krys Kolanos (30) C/W

RFA's (4)- Akim Aliu (23), Logan MacMillan (23), Paul Byron (23), Ryley Grantham (23)
UFA's (4) - Raitis Ivavans (32), P-L. L-Leblond (26), Guilliame Desbiens (27), Stephane Meyer (26)
Non NHL Contracts/Loans (7) - Adam Estoclet (23), Hugh Jessiman (28), Quinton Laing (32), John Rheault (25), Dustin Sylvester (23), Tyler Ruegsegger (24), Judd Blackwater (24)

From the signed group, Nemisz, Horak, Bouma and possibly Reinhart will all get long looks next fall for an NHL job. Bouma and Nemisz have both played several NHL games the last two seasons, and Horak made the team out of camp last fall. I guess there is the remote possibility of Baertschi starting the year in the AHL, but he'd have to have a TERRIBLE camp for that to happen, so I didn't even list him.

Also from the signed group, Cameron who didn't even play a single AHL game this season is likely to play out the last year of his contract in the ECHL.

Wahl intrigues me quite a bit. Not sure how he became a victim of the numbers game last fall, but he put up solid numbers (a little over point per game) in the ECHL. I'm hoping he sticks around and has a solid bounce back season next year. I always felt he was a real dark horse from that 2008 draft.

Out of the free agents, MacMillan, Grantham, Ivanans and Meyer are all very likely done with the Flames organization. Aliu and Byron will more than likely be qualified (and probably push for an NHL roster spot), while UFA's Leblond and Desbiens..........well, who knows?

As for the non-contract guys, hard to say from my limited viewpoint. Do they bring back a guy like Jessiman? Does AHL vet and captain Laing return? How about Rheault and Sylvester.......did they do enough to get offered NHL two way deals?


Defense

Under Contract -

1. Clay Wilson (29)
2. Joe Piskula (27)
3. Chris Breen (22)
4. Brett Carson (26)
5. James Martin (20)
6. Brady Lamb (23)

RFA's (0)- None
UFA's (2) - Brian Connelly (25), Jordan Henry (27)
Non NHL Contracts/Loans (3) - Russ Sinkewich (26), JP Testwuide (27), Nick Tuzzolino (26)

Six guys under contract. Hopefully they get Leach signed soon, and it's also too bad IMO, that Ramage is going back for his senior year at college.

Wilson may make a push at Flames camp next year, as might Carson. From all accounts though, for a guy that was supposed to be a full time NHLer this last season, he sure didn't seem to play very well even in the AHL after his injury.

Henry was loaned to the Wolves to end the season, so I doubt he's re-signed. Hopefully Connelly returns, although he sure didn't put up the numbers in Abby that he put up in Rochester.

Goalies

Under Contract -

1. Henrik Karlsson (28)
2. Joni Ortio (21)

RFA's (1) - Leland Irving (24)
UFA's (0) - None
Non NHL Contracts/Loans (3) Danny Taylor (26)

It sounds like Ortio will stay in Europe for another season, while Irving and Karlsson will likely battle for the NHL back up spot. My bet is Taylor is brought back on an AHL deal to start in Abby next season.

[Freeway]

For what it's worth, the Flames consider Bouma to be part of the big club. At least Feaster did, as of the last presser.

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

Nice writeup Roof Daddy.

For the forwards I'd like them to invite Estoclet, Rheault, and Sylvester to camp. Of those three, I'd like them to sign Sylvester to a two-way contract and if they're not too close to the cap, I'd like them to give Rheault a two-way deal as well.

A majority of the people on CP don't want PL3 back, but I say since we gave up a 5th round pick for him, let's use him. At the worst he continues to be an enforcer and pest in the AHL and at the best he's the Flames 13th forward for special occasions vs. the Canucks .

Wahl, I hope, will stay on the Heat. Assuming Ward doesn't get hired as the Flames head coach, I'd like to see Wahl become his next reclamation project. Hey, maybe Wahl and Howse could find some chemistry as playmaker and sniper.

As for the defense, it wouldn't bother me if Connelly isn't re-signed. The guy oozes offense, but can't play defense for the life of him. It's rather frustrating to watch. I'd like the Heat to take a look at Tuzzolino, but not at the expense of Martin, Lamb, or Leach's ice time. Or maybe it's best if stays in Utah and is a call-up option.

Lastly, Taylor should be re-signed. I'm hoping this season wasn't a fluke. I hope he can do what he did this season next season if the Heat give him a SPC as the starter.

[Canada 02]

Feaster admitted that using all 50 contracts was a detriment; suggested he didn't want more than 47/48 next year to have room for college free agents. I'd expect many AHL contracts rather than NHL two-way deals for many players who are willing

Flames have 37 NHL contracts for next season, plus Aliu, Backlund, Byron, Jones and Irving as near certain RFA signings. (Macmillan, Grantham and Comeau also RFAs). There is also Joey Leach who needs to be signed, but can go back to junior as an overage, and not count as one of the 50

That's 42 contracts, plus the need to replace or sign 6 UFAs - pretty much accounts for Feasters 48 contracts. Not a lot of wiggle room for NHL contracts to Sylvester, Rheault, Connelly etc

edit: the signed contracts for next season included Ferland, Reinhart, Baertschi and Turner Elson. In theory all 4 could go back to junior and not count towards the 50 contracts. Elson likely to go back to junior? How about Ferland?

[Roof-Daddy]

I suppose Elson could return to junior as an over ager. I don't see Ferland going back though as he has clearly out grown junior IMO.

Speaking of Leach......they only have a couple more weeks to get him signed no? I wonder what the deal is there.

[Canada 02]

obviously a different regime, but Darryl Sutter use to say junior players typically need 4 years of development before turning pro. Both Ferland and Elson have only played 3 years of junior

[Roof-Daddy]

I thought he used to say that no player should be in junior hockey longer than four years?

...or a MAX of four years?

If they're ready sooner, they're ready sooner.....but if you stick in junior longer than necessary, you're just spinning your wheels IMO.

[Muta]

Yeah... no reason why Ferland should stay in junior. There's nothing more he could really do there. It's more beneficial for him, at this point, to be with the Heat.

[Canada 02]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

I thought he used to say that no player should be in junior hockey longer than four years?

...or a MAX of four years?

If they're ready sooner, they're ready sooner.....but if you stick in junior longer than necessary, you're just spinning your wheels IMO.

Sutter said, "I'm not a big fan of having guys play 5 years junior, but for a lot of them, 4 years junior is what they need"

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

Originally Posted by Canada 02

Feaster admitted that using all 50 contracts was a detriment; suggested he didn't want more than 47/48 next year to have room for college free agents. I'd expect many AHL contracts rather than NHL two-way deals for many players who are willing

Flames have 37 NHL contracts for next season, plus Aliu, Backlund, Byron, Jones and Irving as near certain RFA signings. (Macmillan, Grantham and Comeau also RFAs). There is also Joey Leach who needs to be signed, but can go back to junior as an overage, and not count as one of the 50

That's 42 contracts, plus the need to replace or sign 6 UFAs - pretty much accounts for Feasters 48 contracts. Not a lot of wiggle room for NHL contracts to Sylvester, Rheault, Connelly etc

edit: the signed contracts for next season included Ferland, Reinhart, Baertschi and Turner Elson. In theory all 4 could go back to junior and not count towards the 50 contracts. Elson likely to go back to junior? How about Ferland?

Very good points. Forget the salary cap, it looks like the contract cap might be Feaster's greatest problem this offseason.

It's a little frustrating knowing that the Flames COULD have landed Krug or whoever if it weren't for our 50 contracts.

Nonetheless, there is going to be very little room for UFAs this year unless Feaster can pull of some one-for-none, two-for-one, or three-for-two trades.

EDIT - Regarding some of the junior guys going back to junior, I'd have to say that normally I think they should go back to junior, but now with Ward as the head coach I think it would be better for their development if they joined the Heat (even if the cost is one more contract against the cap).

[Canada 02]

Originally Posted by Pierre "Monster" McGuire

EDIT - Regarding some of the junior guys going back to junior, I'd have to say that normally I think they should go back to junior, but now with Ward as the head coach I think it would be better for their development if they joined the Heat (even if the cost is one more contract against the cap).

yeah, Darryl sent Cam Cunning and JD Watt back to junior for a 5th season because they were out of shape. Had he been the GM, Ryan Howse would have been in junior this season. Different regime, different philosophy, I guess

[Vulcan]

There's a new collective bargaining agreement coming up this summer. Maybe the 50 player contract limit will be expanded. It would make things easier so if a team has say 7 graduating players, they would have a better chance of signing all 7 if they wanted.

[Canada 02]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

There's a new collective bargaining agreement coming up this summer. Maybe the 50 player contract limit will be expanded. It would make things easier so if a team has say 7 graduating players, they would have a better chance of signing all 7 if they wanted.

one way to help with late season signings of college free agents is to make all entry level contracts slide if the player plays 10 games or less. It's a bit of a loophole in the current CBA. Players like JT Brown and Torey Krug played 5 and 2 games respectively, but burned a year of their ELC's

[kehatch]

I think you can expect:

LW: Banks, Howse, Laing, Ferland
RW: Aliu, Eddy, Nemisz, Jessiman
C: Byron, Horak, Kolanos, Reinhart, Walter, Wahl
D: Carson, Martin, Piskula, Breen, Connelly
G: Taylor

Grantham and MacMillan contracts expire and won't be retained.

I think Jessiman, Connelly, and Taylor are given contracts. Possibly only an AHL contract for Taylor. None make the Flames.

Laing is under contract for next season already. It was a 2-season deal.

Cameron is back to the ECHL.

Elson, Leach, and Wotherspoon will probably return to junior. Though we still have to sign the latter two.

I think Escolet, Rheault, and Sylvester end up signing elsewhere. Two of the three are solid but with Ferland, Howse, Wahl, Reinhart all entering the line-up full time they need to make some room.

I think Byron, Horak, Kolanos, Nemisz, Eddy, and Aliu are late departures but ultimately don't make the Flames out of camp. Possible call-ups though. Bouma and Wilson I think do make the team.

Those on loan are gone.

Beyond that I expect to see the roster rounded out with more signings of the Kolanos, Smith, Henry, Wilson variety. Tweeners that could make the big club and should help the AHL club.

Goal should be real interesting. Irving is waiver eligible so I don't think he is back. Karlsson will be loaned to Europe if he isn't on the Flames. Ortio will stay in Finland. Broissoit isn't eligible for pro yet. We will probably see a Taylor type move.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by kehatch

I think you can expect:

LW: Banks, Howse, Laing, Ferland
RW: Aliu, Eddy, Nemisz, Jessiman
C: Byron, Horak, Kolanos, Reinhart, Walter, Wahl
D: Carson, Martin, Piskula, Breen, Connelly
G: Taylor

Grantham and MacMillan contracts expire and won't be retained.

I think Jessiman, Connelly, and Taylor are given contracts. Possibly only an AHL contract for Taylor. None make the Flames.

Laing is under contract for next season already. It was a 2-season deal.

Cameron is back to the ECHL.

Elson, Leach, and Wotherspoon will probably return to junior. Though we still have to sign the latter two.

I think Escolet, Rheault, and Sylvester end up signing elsewhere. Two of the three are solid but with Ferland, Howse, Wahl, Reinhart all entering the line-up full time they need to make some room.

I think Byron, Horak, Kolanos, Nemisz, Eddy, and Aliu are late departures but ultimately don't make the Flames out of camp. Possible call-ups though. Bouma and Wilson I think do make the team.

Those on loan are gone.

Beyond that I expect to see the roster rounded out with more signings of the Kolanos, Smith, Henry, Wilson variety. Tweeners that could make the big club and should help the AHL club.

Goal should be real interesting. Irving is waiver eligible so I don't think he is back. Karlsson will be loaned to Europe if he isn't on the Flames. Ortio will stay in Finland. Broissoit isn't eligible for pro yet. We will probably see a Taylor type move.

Couple of things. Wotherspoon will be returning to junior. He isn't eligible to play in the AHL.

NHL teams are mandated to carry three goalies under contract. I'm not sure if that would include players signed but in Europe, but even common sense says they will have a third goalie in Abbotsford, so they have to keep Karlsson in NA or sign Taylor or someone like him. So yeah, goal will be interesting and good post.

[rednex50]

Jordan Henry and a 5th round pick in 2013 for Dennis Wideman as of this morning...so instead of the Flames losing Henry for nothing, moved him with a 5th round for an experienced D-man (likely meaning JBo is on his way out the door in a deal), plus Feister just signed him to a respectable 5 year deal.

Didn't hurt Abby, but helps the Flames for virtually nothing. Nice deal for the Flames. Moving JBO should help not only the Flames back end (think he is over rated), but should help bring back something for Abby as well.

Now the million dollar question...if Kipper isn't going anywhere, what about Karlesson or Irving? I don't think keeping Irving around next season in Abby will up his stock any, or take him to the next level. As long as the Flames/Heat can sign sign Taylor, he can handle the brunt of the work, and then you have an asset (either Karlesson or Irving) that can be moved to:
1) take a contract off the 50 Limit,
2) help the organization either re-stock or set up for re-stocking or towards a larger deal - aka - Rick Nash,
3) allows for promotion, so it helps younger guys want to sign with the Flames because they know they will get developed and either promoted or moved to a team that they can fit their needs. Seeing a guy like Irving who could very well be an NHL'er in the AHL still...might turn a few Free Agents or Draftees from signing with the organization.

Just my thoughts anyways....

[Roof-Daddy]

Updated 2012/13 Heat Building Blocks
__________________________________________________ _______________
Forwards

NHL Contract, Played Some NHL Last Season

1. Krys Kolanos (30) C/W
2. Lance Bouma (22) C/W
3. Roman Horak (22) C/W
4. Greg Nemisz (22) C/W
5. Paul Byron (23) C/W
6. Akim Aliu (23) W

NHL Contract, Didn't Play NHL Last Season

7. Ben Street (25) C
8. Ben Walter (26) C
9. Max Reinhart (20) C
10. Ryan Howse (21) W
11. Michael Ferland (20) W
12. Carter Bancks (22) W
13. David Eddy (22) C/W

AHL Contract

14. Dustin Sylvester (23) C

NHL Contract, Likely AHL/ECHL/Back To Junior Next Season

15. Turner Elson (20) W - Could go back to Red Deer and play as overage
16. Gaelen Patterson (22) C/W - Good depth player for the Heat, will be in tough to make roster IMO
17. Mitch Wahl (22) C - Must be on the outs with Heat/Flames, wasn't even invited to development camp
18. Bryan Cameron (23) W - Full blown ECHLer


Signed NHL Contracts Elsewhere - Rheault, Jessiman
Left Unsigned (To Date) - Leblond, Ivanans, Desbiens, Grantham, MacMillan, Meyer
Unknown AHL Contracts/Loans - Estoclet, Blackwater, Laing, Reugsegger


Pretty good group of forwards for the Heat IMO. Even if a couple of the "coffee drinkers" from last season make the jump.

One thing I noticed, if you include Sylvester, Patterson and even Wahl, a staggering 11 out 17 potential 2012/13 Heat forwards have the ability to play center. Nice.

__________________________________________________ _______________
Defense

NHL Contract, Played Some NHL Last Season

1. Clay Wilson (29)
2. Brett Carson (26)
3. Joe Piskula (27)

NHL Contract, Didn't Play NHL Last Season

4. Chris Breen (22)
5. James Martin (20)
6. Brady Lamb (23)

AHL Contract

7. Zach McElvie (27)


Signed NHL Contracts Elsewhere - Connelly, Henry
Unknown AHL Contracts/Loans - Sinkewich, Testwuide, Tuzzolino

Going to be tough for any of these guys to crack the NHL roster IMO, even the guys with one ways. Pretty clogged up there ATM, but who knows what the summer will bring.

Looking forward to seeing how Lamb performs this season.

Also can't wait to hear feedback on McElvie. He' older, and has missed a couple years due to military service, but he is a Weisbrod pick up...so I look forward to hearing what he brings.
__________________________________________________ _______________
Goalies

NHL Contract, Played Some NHL Last Season

1. Leland Irving (24)
2. Henrik Karlsson (28)

NHL Contract, Didn't Play NHL Last Season

3. Joni Ortio

Unknown AHL Contracts/Loans - Taylor


Was pleased as heck to hear Sigalet (IIRC?) say that it looks as though Ortio may come back to the Heat this fall with a renewed vigor in attempting to master the NA game. Good for him if true, and I hope he earns a starting role with the Heat, and lights it up.

Irving, as we all know, is yet to be signed, but I'm sure it will happen shortly as he is in a very good position to secure a full time NHL gig next season.

Will be interesting to see what happens with Karlsson should Irving indeed replace him as Miikka's backup. Hopefully he's traded to free up a contract spot, as it'll be waste to have one burned up on a goalie who's 28 and playing in either Europe or the AHL.

Also wondering if Taylor will be brought back on another AHL deal. Possibly platoon with Joni?

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

The forward group looks really exciting this year. The infusion of Reinhart, Ferland, Eddy, and Street is going to make things very interesting.

The loss of Desbiens and maybe Laing is a blow to the Heat's leadership. Players like Laing are very important to the team, so I hope he's back. He brings energy, hits alot, and is a great penalty killer/shot blocker.

The defense is kind of questionable for me. McKelvie I know anything about so he's a wait-and-see kind of player. Carson was the sh*ts for most of the season and was a healthy scratch on numerous occasions. I'm looking for Martin to step in and play full time this year. Lamb, Breen, and Piskula will be the "Steady Eddies" on the blue line while Wilson does what Wilson does. Looks like there won't be any offense coming from the blue line this season .

The goaltending situation is very much up in the air. Right now, the Heat don't have a goalie. Irving is expected to be the favourite for Kipper's backup this season. Karlsson will be fighting for his Flames career this camp. If he doesn't get the backup job, I can't see him wanting to play in Abbotsford. When I watched him here on his conditioning stint, he looked completely disinterested, lazy, and careless. He'll probably ask for a trade or go back to Europe if he doesn't stay with the Flames.

I would love to see Taylor back in Heat colours. He'd be a great starter or backup, but I don't know if he'll even get signed. I could see the Flames management taking a really long, focused look at Bakala this development camp. He could be with the Heat this season since he's not returning to Bemidji State.

The Heat need to address leadership and goaltending big time. And to a lesser extent, the defence could be a problem, but that remains to be seen. I would also like to see them pick up a goon or re-sign PL3 for this season. Otherwise, that's alot of work for Ferland, Eddy, and Martin.

I don't think the Heat will have any problem scoring goals this season. Lots of smart, skilled players have been added in addition to the ones we already had.

Man, I'm getting excited for next season. The Heat and Flames look quite a bit different from last season.

[Freeway]

PMM, I was told today that Lainger is on a two-year deal with the Heat, so he's back for another year.

[devo22]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

Was pleased as heck to hear Sigalet (IIRC?) say that it looks as though Ortio may come back to the Heat this fall with a renewed vigor in attempting to master the NA game. Good for him if true, and I hope he earns a starting role with the Heat, and lights it up.

Sigalet's remarks were surprising because it was basically set in stone that Ortio would play for HIFK in the SM-liiga next season as a teammate of Markus Granlund. This Finnish article was published on Saturday and (according to Google translation ) says so too, and his profile at eliteprospects has him also at HIFK for 2012-13. However, I'd be pretty happy if he played for the Heat again - he needs to get used to the NA game. A tandem of Taylor and Ortio would be great in my mind.