UFA Class of 2017

[robaur]

First off, I hope that I am not creating a duplicate thread.

Second, I was browsing over the UFA list for 2017 and there were some interesting names on there. Obviously, there are some players that might make sense and/or some players that might not even want to come to Calgary.

With a lot of salary/contracts coming off the books this year, I think it will be an interesting summer to see what steps management will take to fill the holes on this team. I understand that UFA market is not the ideal route to take in order to fill holes on a team, but it is at the minimum, an option.

Some names that I found interesting on the list, in no particular order:

1. Kevin Shattenkirk
2. Ben Bishop
3. TJ Oshie (probably will stay in Washington)
4. Alexander Radulov (probably no chance he comes to Calgary)
5. Joe Thornton (probably no chance he leaves San Jose)
6. Martin Hanzal
7. Karl Alzner
8. Andrei Markov
9. Thomas Vanek
10. Steve Mason
11. Patrick Sharp
12. Nick Bonino
13. Justin Williams
14. Brian Boyle
15. Steve Mason

Link: http://www.thehockeynews.com/news/ar...agents-of-2017

Some are better fits than others for various reason. I just thought it would make for interesting conversation as it is becoming apparent as to what the shortcomings are in the organization at this point in the season.

[TheScorpion]

I've said it before, but I really want the Flames to make a hard push for Michael Stone. He seems like a great fit on the second pairing, and has the Treliving connection (assuming he returns).

[SuperMatt18]

Brendan Smith is a guy I am interested in too.

Nothing flashy with him but a steady 4/5 guy who is good in his own end and has great shot suppression numbers.

[Toonage]

Alzner will probably be a Flame.

Then a month into the season we'll all hate him and be angry at whatever deal he got.

[Funkhouser]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

I've said it before, but I really want the Flames to make a hard push for Michael Stone. He seems like a great fit on the second pairing, and has the Treliving connection (assuming he returns).

I keep hearing you mention him, what is it about Stone that you see as a good fit?

Granted, I know very little about him as he has never stood out to me in the AZ games I have watched (few and far between). His stat line is quite unimpressive. Are you falling in love with a random obscure player again?

[TheScorpion]

Originally Posted by Funkhouser

I keep hearing you mention him, what is it about Stone that you see as a good fit?

Granted, I know very little about him as he has never stood out to me in the AZ games I have watched (few and far between). His stat line is quite unimpressive. Are you falling in love with a random obscure player again?

Nah, I actually have a rationale for this one.

Stone had a real good year last year, but this year his numbers have dropped off. However, there's a quantifiable reason for this. Last season, Stone played on a pairing with Oliver Ekman-Larsson, a really good defenseman. That pairing had great possession numbers and great stats.

This season, Stone is playing with the much older Alex Goligoski, a much worse partner. In addition, his defensive zone starts have drastically increased, his PDO has dropped below 100... it may be just an off season, or it may be a result of a worse partner.

Brodie would be a pretty good partner for Stone. And Stone has a history here... he was a star for the Hitmen for a while.

Edit: he's also been injured for a while this season. I think it's just a case of a player having an off-year.

[shotinthebacklund]

Always wanted oshie in CGY maybe more now given our dismal RW position and very limited development in the RH RW position.

[Erick Estrada]

Not a great list of players. I would be fine with the Flames staying out of the sweepstakes for all the players on that list unless say Bishop was willing to take something short term.

[CliffFletcher]

Alzner fills a huge on this team as a #3-4 defensive d-man.

[calgaryblood]

I'd love Oshie here.

[Flash Walken]

sign defenders, draft forwards.

[belsarius]

All the TJs are belong to us!

[N-E-B]

I don't know if they land him but I have to think they make a serious push for Alzner. Would love that.

[Lil Pedro]

Would love Alzner with Brodie; a steady defensive minded player who can play the left side and allow Brodie to play the right side; something he has noted as being more comfortable with. That gives us a nice top 4

[keenan87]

Karl Alzner would round out the top 4 really well in Calgary.

Giordano-Hamilton
Alzner ($5MM)-Brodie
Kulak-Veteran (under $1MM)

[AC]

I had suggested Alzner earlier this year on r/calgaryflames as an ideal pickup and another poster countered the idea with some harsh math:

Originally Posted by LemmingMyth

I've seen Alzner mentioned as a hopeful pickup multiple times now. I will admit that I know very little of his game, but his stats this year don't inspire confidence. Specifically the fact that his possession numbers are the worst on the Caps. Adjusting for zone starts and score, they get even worse.(second worst in the league actually)

I'm not a big fan of advanced stats for the most part, but those are certainly concerning when considering a big UFA signing.

[Hey Connor, It's Mess]

Alzner would be a great fit but I highly doubt he has any interest in signing with the Flames.

[Flash Walken]

I think if the choice comes down to signing Alzner and no one else or Brendan Smith and another player you have to go with the quantity over quality.

Flames need better depth throughout, I'd prefer to add 2 veteran defenders as #5/6 than 1 as #4.

[SuperMatt18]

Brendan Smith provides what people think Karl Alzner provides but at a cheaper cost while actually being more effective in comparison to their teammates.

Last 4 seasons:

Alzner:

Points: 67

GF/60: 2.07
GA/60: 1.88

On Ice Save Percentage: .934

CF/60: 52.29
CA/60: 54.59

Hits/GP: 1.3
Blocked Shots/GP: 2.1

31.8% Defensive Zone Face Offs

Smith:

Points: 52

GF/60: 2.14
GA/60: 2.12

On Ice Save Percentage: .918

CF/60: 54.60
CA/60: 45.08!

Hits: 1.0
Blocked Shots: 0.9

27.3% Defensive Zone Face Offs

Alzner gets buried in his own zone a little more, but considering one of these d-man likely costs $5M, and the other one likely costs substantially less I know which way I would lean.

[Otto-matic]

Re-sign Deryk Engelland