[Signing] Flames re-sign Stone (3 yrs, $3.5 mil AAV)

[Nehkara]

Originally Posted by Parallex

I don't think it's possible for someone else to get how much I loath this deal. Mark my words this is a Brouwer contract except on the backend.

A D who has demonstrated the ability to play 20/mins per night in the NHL will be easy to trade on a 3 year/$3.5 million AAV contract if things don't go the way we want or a younger D steps up.

There's really nothing to not like here. It makes our D very very strong.

[Displaced Flames fan]

Originally Posted by joejoe3

People here seem to forget Harmonic is injury prone.

Evidently Brad Treliving took injuries into consideration when he decided not to cheap out on his blueline depth.

[Nehkara]

Originally Posted by btimbit

Adding Williams likely means bye-bye Backlund though

Why?

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by Parallex

No, but I'll gladly complain about the significantly overpaid #5D.

Well that didn't happen. Instead we got a top 4 dman at market value or slightly below market value

[GoJetsGo]

Originally Posted by Parallex

Sure... but 3.5x3!! Young guys don't stay young sign a vet for a 1 year contract then you don't have two rookies next year.

Treliving ####ed up royally here.

Dude, take a breather.

There is one spot for a rookie *right now*... and IF two over-preform or are ready next year or the year after, a d-man like Stone is a valued commodity to flip at the deadline or draft to recoup pics.

You need to calm down and think this through. You're way, way to worked up.

[btimbit]

Originally Posted by Stanley

Many will be eating crow come playoffs

I think having such a stable D group allows the Flames to play the top guys less, maybe have some gas left in the tank come playoff time. Makes sense given Gully's comments this morning

[dino7c]

First D injury we can all have a laugh at you three

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by mrdonkey

Sure it's more than you want to pay for your #5 but we're also paying Hamonic much less than you want to pay your #4. That's the kind of flexibility Hamonic's deal allows the Flames to capitalize on. And Stone is a very, very good #5.

I'm certainly not going to lose any sleep over paying for Stone if it means the Flames enter the season with a blueline that's right up there with Anaheim and Nashville.

Pretty much this. Shrewd deals at other roster spots have enabled the Flames to put together the deepest blue line in the NHL. Looking at the way the NHL is going, and at the value of defencemen in trades, this is a smart use of cap space. Better than signing an ageing winger.

Originally Posted by Ashasx

The biggest reason why I don't like this is it blocks the path for somebody like Andersson.

Obviously the Flames braintrust feels that a window is opening for the team, and their prime concern is icing the best lineup. There's one blue-line spot for the prospects to fight over for the next couple years. Andersson is 20. It won't hurt him to play another season in the AHL. If a couple guys make big pushes, the Flames can move a veteran - other than Brodie they're all signed to reasonable deals.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Originally Posted by GoJetsGo

Except that we have a few million in underpayments in our already above average top four.

Yes, as you've said... and as has been repeatedly pointed out to you, making several good decisions does not make your subsequent bad decisions any less bad. Having good contracts in your top four provides you with an opportunity to use those savings in a way that makes your team better. Doing this is a waste of that opportunity, and is therefore something that should be frowned upon.

I would have said "spend the money on forwards". But if you really absolutely had to have another defenceman, take that 3.5 million and put it towards Del Zotto or Franson or hell, spend half that much on Patrick Wiercioch. All of whom are much better at hockey than Michael Stone is.

All teams have one or two of these overpayments, for sure. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't try to avoid them.

[Jbo]

Originally Posted by Parallex

Sure... but 3.5x3!! Young guys don't stay young sign a vet for a 1 year contract then you don't have two rookies next year.

Treliving ####ed up royally here.

Seriously dude, just stop

[devo22]

Originally Posted by btimbit

Adding Williams likely means bye-bye Backlund though

how exactly? He's the only key FA next year and the Stajan contract comes off the book. There'll be money available to re-sign Backs.

[Erick Estrada]

Great contract. I'm really liking this top 5. Barring injuries this should be as solid a unit as this team has iced in a long time.

[Since1984]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

Yes, Hamonic and Stone are much better than Wideman and Engelland. No, this is not a good excuse for signing an unnecessary bad contract that overpays a guy for three years. Those $1m overpayments add up and prevent you from getting players that can put you over the top.

So lets agree that the #5 dman is overpaid at 3.5. If we agree it is a $1m overpayment. That gives us that much more in cap space. Now on the roster there are two more overpaid players, one coming off the books next year.

that is ~$4.2m more....please show me the player that will put us over the top at that Price point please.

[Azure]

Have to think market value is a bit higher than $3.5/year for a top 4 D.

[Roof-Daddy]

So much for Stone not taking less than a $4 million AAV

People kept failing to realize it was a 1 year deal at arbitrations door after a career season.

Never mind the fact that the guy wanted to be here for family reasons, plus the whole let's be part of a winning team for once instead of the tire fire he'd spent hi whole career in up until being dealt to CGY.

I just love the term. Stone, Hamonic and Brodie all come off the books at the same time. At that point you can gauge where your young D are at, and decide who to pony up to keep, and who to let walk in lieu of a young guy.

Andersson (24)
Kylington (23)
Valimaki (21)
Fox (22)

That's how old our high end D prospects will be after 3 years.

[SuperMatt18]

Yeah they needed to sign a 5 no matter what.

Injuries are bound to happen and you couldn't go into the season with Kulak and Andersson as your bottom pairing if you have true Stanley Cup aspirations.

It's a year too long for me - since I would have liked a shorter term deal but I have no issues with the cap hit.

Biggest thing with the advanced stats is that I am interested to see how it works when Stone gets sheltered minutes. In both Arizona and when paired with Brodie he was asked to play tougher minutes. Now that he likely faces sheltered 3rd pairing and PK minutes I think he will be more valuable. Slotting and all that jazz.

[Robo]

Wow what an unbelievable d core when stone is your #5

[Torch]

Out
Wideman and Engellend. 8 mil

In
Hamonic and Stone 7.3

In Tre we trust

[shotinthebacklund]

Originally Posted by Parallex

Sure... but 3.5x3!! Young guys don't stay young sign a vet for a 1 year contract then you don't have two rookies next year.

Treliving ####ed up royally here.

Some people always need to feel like the smartest person in the room...

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

Yes, Hamonic and Stone are much better than Wideman and Engelland. No, this is not a good excuse for signing an unnecessary bad contract that overpays a guy for three years. Those $1m overpayments add up and prevent you from getting players that can put you over the top.

Based on market value for top 4 dmen of his age this is nowhere near an overpayment. If anything you look at the Russell deal and this is a slight underpayment.

Watch what Alzer and co sign for tomorrow and then come back and tell me we overpaid. You complainers are funny