Lance Bouma - a long term contract ? - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

playmaker · 02-01-2015, 08:06 AM

Though I may be carried away by the 'double-boom' game against the No Good, I think it is time to start looking at Lance as important piece moving forward and perhaps as the important part of our future core.
Sure he's had his ups and downs so far, but IMO developed into a prototypical 3rd liner - tough, decent wheels, fearless shot blocker and hitter, with PK skills and some offensive upside.

Would 4 x 1.9M be an overpayment for your local, heart-and-soul guy ?

LIP MAN · 02-01-2015, 08:18 AM

Was discussing this with the girlfriend, and I'd agree with you in that we should sign him long term. He's exactly the type of player we'd hoped we would get when we drafted him. He's a big body, doesn't have terrible foot speed, and is a good model for shot blocking for the rest of the team (something that keeps us in a lot of tight games). I think the rate you mentioned is fair, 4 or 5 years seems sufficient. If Hunter Smith pans out, he could be a player of similar ilk, with significantly more upside. It would be nice to have both of these guys with someone like Wolf on our third line. Kind of like the Otto line of the 80's.

Freddy · 02-01-2015, 08:36 AM

I've been a fan of Bouma's since watching him captain the Vancouver Giants; he's an old time tough as nails player who selflessly does whatever he can to help his team win. At the NHL level his lack of elite offensive skills probably cap him in the bottom 9 somewhere, but he can play any of those roles while driving the pace of the game, injecting emotion, and leading by example. After the progression he's shown this season I hope he's earned a permanent roster spot for 3 or 4 years @ 2 M+.
If the Flames depth pushes him out in that timeframe I would think there'd be a long list of teams competing to get him.

TorqueDog · 02-01-2015, 08:37 AM

I was thinking about this too, it's pretty hard to not be impressed with what Bouma has become for this team, and it would be a shame to see him go elsewhere. I was happy to hear Hartley's comments about him after the game.

Lock him up. He's the kind of player every team needs.

Robo · 02-01-2015, 08:38 AM

yes lock him up he is an awesome part of the team and worth the contract i bet he will get a little more than 1.9 maybe 2.5

Enoch Root · 02-01-2015, 08:47 AM

I was saying lock him up last year. Could have easily done 3 or even 4 years at $1.5.

Now I think he gets 3 years at $2 - 2.5M

Love him, and you need guys like him on your team. Just get him signed already.

Badgers Nose · 02-01-2015, 08:50 AM

I agree too. His willingness to do anything to win is very important and fits the culture.

Da_Chief · 02-01-2015, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

I was saying lock him up last year. Could have easily done 3 or even 4 years at $1.5.

Now I think he gets 3 years at $2 - 2.5M

Love him, and you need guys like him on your team. Just get him signed already.

I'm glad he hadn't signed a deal at 1.5 and gets his raise that he deserves. I love the Calgary Flames but players like Bouma is the reason so hopefully he signs a nice longterm deal with a decent compensation.

Enoch Root · 02-01-2015, 09:06 AM

Yeah I don't mind him getting paid either. In fact, I said that in the summer when talking about this - I wanted to see him rewarded for his efforts, and $1.5M would have done that. A lot of people said that was way too much.

Now paying him what he deserves means $2M+

shermanator · 02-01-2015, 09:16 AM

Love the player, but I think 4 years is simply too long for a guy like Bouma. With his style of play, injuries could take a toll. No issues with the dollar value though.

Maybe a 3 year 6 mil would work?

OldSam · 02-01-2015, 09:20 AM

I've always liked Lance. Just a real tough competitor. I would hope he stays a Flame for quite a while.

MrMastodonFarm · 02-01-2015, 09:22 AM

What was Bouma's NHL-e coming out of junior?

He's one of those guys who never put up impressive goal or point totals but just continues to get it done out there.

And yeah, pay him.

#-3 · 02-01-2015, 09:37 AM

I'm a big fan, but I say no way on long term, 2-3 years max for hard nosed players, they just have the capacity to come and go too quickly.

If you don't, worst case scenario he takes a big set forward and you end up spending a couple million extra for a couple of years. Or a 3rd liner walks for nothing.

If you do, worst case scenario you team is hamstrung for 6 more years at 3x what the guy is worth. (see David Clarkson).

edit:
/\
don't know his NHLe, but I believe he captained the Giants to an M.cup.

Fire in the disco · 02-01-2015, 09:46 AM

Have had a man crush on this guy for years now. Lance Bouma is the type of player cup winning teams have on their bottom 2 lines. I'd say lock him up for 4 years

Enoch Root · 02-01-2015, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by #-3

I'm a big fan, but I say no way on long term, 2-3 years max for hard nosed players, they just have the capacity to come and go too quickly.

If you don't, worst case scenario he takes a big set forward and you end up spending a couple million extra for a couple of years. Or a 3rd liner walks for nothing.

If you do, worst case scenario you team is hamstrung for 6 more years at 3x what the guy is worth. (see David Clarkson).

edit:
/\
don't know his NHLe, but I believe he captained the Giants to an M.cup.

Pretty big gap there between a 2 to 3 year deal and a 6+ year deal. I don't recall any Clarkson type proposals so far in this thread.

Coach · 02-01-2015, 09:48 AM

3 or 4 years at ~$2 would be a nice reward for his hard work and would pretty much be a non-factor in the teams cap scenario. I say give it to him.

#-3 · 02-01-2015, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Pretty big gap there between a 2 to 3 year deal and a 6+ year deal. I don't recall any Clarkson type proposals so far in this thread.

I think long term we are probably looking at 5ish years, at $2Mish.

What I am saying it i think there is a chance Bouma is a $4M player in 3 years, but there is probably a better chance he is a $750K player that isn't even one of the 23 best the organization has to offer.

Stajan current deal might be a better example of why long term role player deals are no good. I don't really have a problem with the numbers right now, but year 1 of a 4 year deal and I am already wondering if this guy is even going to be one of our top 4 or 5 centers next year let alone 3 years from now.

What if 3 years Smith, Ferland & Klimchuk are all ahead of Bouma, we are all in love with them and there is no space for him in the lineup.

I like the guy, but there is just not enough reward to signing these types of players longer than 2-3 years.

Greybeard · 02-01-2015, 10:10 AM

4 years 2 mill per. Great 3rd line pk shutdown guy with some offence. Tons of heart. Need guys like this as your depth players.

killer_carlson · 02-01-2015, 10:13 AM

4 years $1.5 to $1.75 total.

Doubles his current salary and gives him an extra year of certainty.

Enoch Root · 02-01-2015, 10:23 AM

A 4 year deal includes 2 UFA years, no way it'll be for $1.5M IMO.

$1.5, $2, $2.5, $3M = $9M total, $2.25M per

a little more if he keeps the goals coming