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Scoring Winger
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How to dynamically transform the Flames from pretenders to CONTENDERS
I know that the general tone around here is that we are optimistic about our current stable of prospects, and that with a dash of patience, and staying the course, that the pieces of the puzzle will form and this team will develop into a contender by developing from within.
However, from my perspective, that method seems to be uninspired, and quite frankly, boring. It also seems to be the flavour of the month template most teams are adopting, so perhaps there might be some undervalued assets that could help the team that could be acquired for pennies on the dollar.
With that introduction out of the way, who here wants to contend for the Stanley Cup in 2015? I sure as hell do:
1. We have $32M in cap space at the moment. Time to use it:
a. Sign Thomas Vanek - 7 years x 9M = 63M
b. Sign Marian Gaborik - 5 years x 7M = $35M
c. Paul Stastny - 7 years x 9M = 63M
Why sit on your hands when you can sign an affordable top line and get them under contract long term? Would it make more sense to wait around like the Oilers do for their "pretenders" to develop into real players? Not on my shift.
I know what you are thinking, why would these guys come to Calgary? Good question.
Upon starting negotiations, we would engage all 3 players at once and let them understand that 1, this would be a package signing, and 2, they would be playing on the top line for the next 5 years, and mayeb 7 if Gaborik wants to re-up at that point. Makes sense for all parties, and we can just sit around smkoing cigars while these guys light up the scoreboard.
2. With Johnny hockey and Bill Arnold under wraps, twist Kevin Hayes' arm to signing with the Flames.
This one isn't much of a stretch. It's rumoured, basically just have to get it done now. Have enjoyed his game in the overseas tournament.
3. With an excess of forwards found from day 1 in free agency, it's time to turn our attention towards defense. To make room, time to trade some surplus for assets:
Trade Tyler Wotherspoon and a pick to the Chicago Blackhawks for Nick Leddy
The Blackhawks fiscal irresonsibility has gotten them in trouble again, and they are going to need to move some salary. Flames provide an immediate NHL ready defensemen to step in, while helping them get out of cap hell. Flames get a young top 4 defensemen for years to come.
Trade Jiri Hudler, Johnny hockey, Bill Arnold, Kevin Hayes and Dennis Wiedeman to the Nashville Predators for Shea Weber
Nashville is changing the team dynamic to being offensively oriented, and the Flames are going to provide an influx of offensive talent in spades. Not only do they get a real top 6 C in Hudler, they also get a dynamic offensive, gamebreaker in Gaudreau (plus his buddies), and a new PP QB in Wideman.
Flames get the true #1 they need, and don't take on any cap with the Hudler/Wideman salaries out of the way. Win-win.
Trade Kari Ramo and this year's 1st round pick for Evander Kane and Ondrej Pavelic. Use compliance buyout on Pavelic.
I don't think goaltenders are particularly important, can find them easily. Therefore, exploit Ramo's trade value, and Winnipeg's need at goalie for trade value. Toss in the first round pick, and boom, Evander is coming to Calgary.
Flames owners have deep pockets, so we can afford this. At the end of the day, between Ramo's and Kane's salary, it's only an add on of a few million, basically a wash with the savings from the Weber acquisition.
David Jones sucks - trade him, Kris Russell and Smid to the Islanders for one of those fancy fisherman jerseys and whatever picks are fair
Garth Snow is dumb, nobody wants to play for that organization, and Snow has money to play with. I'd be shocked if this doesn't happen.
Trade Matt Stajan to the Penguins for Simon Depres
Make them pay through the nose!
Stajan had a bit of a resurrgence this year showing his ability to be a true leader and offensive touch. Exactly what the Penguins are missing, and the best thing is? They know it.With Stajan, the Pens get back into cup contention.
The Flames add another core defensemen to add to the puzzle.
Trade this year's second round pick for Brandon Saad
I've been regretting the fact we gave up the pick that was eventually used to draft Saad since day one. Luckily for us, he's still been behind some very talented players and hasn'y really put up that many points. I've watched him and noticed that he's actually quite good. We know his trade value is a second round pick (as he was drafted recently), and we sweeten the pot for Chicago by giving them an earlier 2nd round pick then they used to acquire him. Additionally, this releases the burden on them from having to sign another talented player to a cap contract. They will appreciate the space for the new Toews/Kane deals, PLUS they add a pick.
Trade Curtis Glencross to the Sharks for Alex Stalock
Sharks need some better players, they get one in Glencross and adds to their ability to contend.
With Niemi in the fold, don't need Stalock, and I liked his game in the playoffs. Flames get their new cheap #1 goalie. Win - win.
4. Offersheets:
I was thinking the other day about ways to circumvent the offsheet rules so we can actually set up a way to make it difficult for a team to sign the contract and release the player. Thinking back to the NFL, the answer seemed pretty obvious and just about smacked me right in the face:
Offersheet PK Subban - 7 years at 9M, plus add a kicker poison pill clause that gives him an additional $500k for every point he gets in the province of Quebec
Assuming Subban gets his normal alotment of points, say 60, half of which would happen at home, that's an additional 15M per season Montreal would have to pay Subban to get under contract. They can't afford that. Subban is happy to sign as he gets his guaranteed mega contract. onyl downside is we would have to sit Subban when we go to Montreal... hopefully it's not a big game.
5. Our current UFA's:
a. Cammaleri has been pipped with our new signings. He gone.
b. Tell Chris Butler to go home to his mommy.
6. Revised line-up:
Forwards:
1. Gaborik - 7M
2. Stastny - 9M
3. Vanek - 9M
4. Kane - 5.3M
5. Monahan - 1.8M
6. Saad - 900k
7. Backlund - 1.5M
8. Granlund - 900K
9. McGratton - 800k
10. Colbourne - 800k
11. Bouma - 800k
12. Byron - 700k
Defensemen:
1. Weber - 7.8M
2. Subban - 9M
3. Giordano - $4M
4. Leddy - $2.7M
5. Brodie - $2.1M
6. Depres - 900k
Goalies:
1. Stalock - 700k
2. Gillies - 500k
Total:$65.4M
Not only are we cap compliant (and still have 6M or so to keep to bench players, or keep an extra guy like Russell or Smid), but I have also dolled out raises to each of young guys, kept a young roster, and although we will be huring for picks over the next few years with trades and offsheets, who really cares? No need waiting around for Yakipov to develop when we alreayd have top players under contract.
This is an approach that I would like to see, and I think we have the kind of innovated new GM that is ready to try some new things he wasn't afforded the opportunity to try in Phoenix. Of course, all of these things wont happen, and my value in a few areas might be a little off in a few areas, but this is just a ballpark approach meant to get pretty close.
Thoughts?
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