[Signing] Flames sign Chris Butler (1yr, $1.7mil) and Chad Billins

[Stay Golden]

Feaster you could have rid yourself of this stench.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by blankall

I'm glad Butler is around just to soak up the CP hate. If he wasn't back, CP would have to arbitrarily find another player to hate. That might ruin my ability to watch them play next year.

A large number of people took out their rage of the Regehr deal on Butler because he was the main player we got back. He became the whipping boy before ever playing a single game.

The -7 game didn't help and was pretty bad, but the team effort and goaltending was just bad. It was enough that the hate took on a life of its own though.

[zunie75]

Originally Posted by Muta

I hate Butler too, but how is this a bad signing? He can be moved at the deadline with this contract if need be.

Generally teams look to acquire talent at the deadline, to bolster their playoff runs....not add a D man who couldn't hack it on a rebuilding team (if this becomes the case.)

[Stampede2TheCup]

Originally Posted by zunie75

Generally teams look to acquire talent at the deadline, to bolster their playoff runs....not add a D man who couldn't hack it on a rebuilding team (if this becomes the case.)

They also add depth guys especially due to injury problems on defense.

[Stay Golden]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

A large number of people took out their rage of the Regehr deal on Butler because he was the main player we got back. He became the whipping boy before ever playing a single game.

The -7 game didn't help and was pretty bad, but the team effort and goaltending was just bad. It was enough that the hate took on a life of its own though.

He is a horrible D man on even any of the semi final teams, Boston, Chicago, LA or PIT. Butler is soft like butter and sharp as a marble.

Feaster wasted his time making this a UFA day 1 priority.
and this other AHL chump. Yes gotta get that done Jay.
Backlund, and TJ nah no need another day.

[Muta]

Originally Posted by zunie75

Generally teams look to acquire talent at the deadline, to bolster their playoff runs....not add a D man who couldn't hack it on a rebuilding team (if this becomes the case.)

Except that's your opinion... he's obviously good enough to play in the NHL, and has not been in the minors for several years now. He's got value in the NHL, and provides for good depth for a playoff team at a reasonable price.

[gargamel]

Originally Posted by Stay Golden

Feaster wasted his time making this a UFA day 1 priority.
and this other AHL chump. Yes gotta get that done Jay.
Backlund, and TJ nah no need another day.

He's made offers to both of those guys already. Brodie is still considering the offer, and they've already made a second offer to Backlund after he rejected the first one. There's no reason that Feaster can't make other minor signings in the meantime.

[Ulrith]

Originally Posted by HOWITZER

Uhhhh, I remember that game far too well.

Eww...I remember that game (or the half of it I watched before turning it off).

And from those highlights Butler is actually on for 8 goals (he's on for the Bruins' PPG).

[Stay Golden]

If I had to choose who would force the opponent to go offside more times between Butler and some chick taking her shirt off in the stands.
I would choose the remote chance a chick takes her shirt off in the stands.

[Huntingwhale]

I don't hate Butler as much as others do, but what really frustrates me about him is his lack of physicality. Essentially, he is the poster boy for what sucks about the flames: non-physical, soft, lack of heart-type team. In that sense, Butler is our current franchise player.

[korzym12]

Originally Posted by lifetimefan

I'll keep saying it: we either acquire band-aid players and finish 9th - or they manage with a purpose. In this case it's to acquire a top 3 pick in 2014 - in Ottawa's case - a Stanley Cup. There's a time to sign certain types of players - this is truly a smart signing as it moves us closer to acquiring another franchise player. Which moves us closer to a Championship. One step at a time here. When we have a playoff team then we could expect high quality players signing here.

Besides it's the young teams built of drafts that are coming together that attract players to sign with teams.

[CSharp]

Originally Posted by korzym12

I'll keep saying it: we either acquire band-aid players and finish 9th - or they manage with a purpose. In this case it's to acquire a top 3 pick in 2014 - in Ottawa's case - a Stanley Cup. There's a time to sign certain types of players - this is truly a smart signing as it moves us closer to acquiring another franchise player. Which moves us closer to a Championship. One step at a time here. When we have a playoff team then we could expect high quality players signing here.

Besides it's the young teams built of drafts that are coming together that attract players to sign with teams.

It's like building a team for hope or building a team with frustration.

[edslunch]

Originally Posted by puckluck2

The Butler love is confusing. Who cares how much he makes? At league minimum I wouldn't want him and even of he donated his services for free I'd have no use for him.

In the words of Craig David every time Feaster takes one step forward he takes two steps back.

Oh please

[MisterJoji]

Man, you'd think he was still playing on the top pairing with all this hate. Butler isn't a bad option when he's on the bottom pairing (occasionally scratched) playing 15:00 minutes or less a night. It's also possible that any of Cundari, Breen, Ramage, Smith, Russell, O'Brien or Wotherspoon (long shot), end up taking his job from him.

[Stay Golden]

^
Butler being pushed to 7th or even the 8th spot by Cundari, Russell or any of the Rooks would be perfect.

[Dr. Doom]

Interesting article on Billins:

http://mihockeynow.com/2013/01/chad-...with-griffins/

Sounds like he was a PPG player/PP specialist but knew enough to slow down and work on his D.

Could be an interesting signing there... love how our scouts are all over the place trying to find hidden gems.

[Poe969]

I'm going to enjoy having Butler on the team. He'll make the other defensmen look that much better. I meam if another team scouts the Flames and see's him play and then looks at Gio, it'll increase Gio's trade value by 10!

[bluloc]

For every good game Butler has, there's 5 other ####ty games he's played in. Not a fan of Butler because he's simply not a smart hockey player. A waste of a roster spot if you asked me because With Butler he has already peeked, there's no chance he'll get better. Would have much rather seen some potential take his spot.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by MisterJoji

Man, you'd think he was still playing on the top pairing with all this hate. Butler isn't a bad option when he's on the bottom pairing (occasionally scratched) playing 15:00 minutes or less a night. It's also possible that any of Cundari, Breen, Ramage, Smith, Russell, O'Brien or Wotherspoon (long shot), end up taking his job from him.

He's a bad option at 1:00. Sorry, but he's worse than anyone I've seen on the defense since Bubba. To be honest, I think he's worse. I really feel like you guys watch a different Chris Butler than me. He's absolutely list in his own end, scared of getting hit, and doesn't hit. In short, he's awful.

[Goodlad]

Originally Posted by Dr. Doom

Interesting article on Billins:

http://mihockeynow.com/2013/01/chad-...with-griffins/

Sounds like he was a PPG player/PP specialist but knew enough to slow down and work on his D.

Could be an interesting signing there... love how our scouts are all over the place trying to find hidden gems.

I feel kind of bad for Billins right now. I keep clicking on this thread to see if there's any new information on him (since I know next to nothing about him) only to find the same Butler bashing/defending that's been hashed over a thousand times already.