Bouma

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Blocked shots? Chris Butler blocked more shots and he was replaced. IMO the Kerr/Simmer love fest for this guy during broadcasts has created the illusion to some fans that Bouma is the second coming of Brandon Prust to which he is not. He doesn't have much in the way of offensive skill and he's not really much of a scrapper. He's a below average NHL player that wears his heart on his sleeve and plays very hard but his ceiling is very low. Don't get me wrong as I hope they agree on a deal but I have no issues with Treliving ensuring that the Flames aren't overpaying for 4th line players with limited upside.

You seriously think people like Bouma because of comments from Kerr and Simmer?

I seem to recall him being pretty popular and garnering standing Os from the crowd during home games after repeatedly throwing his body in front of pucks. And to my recollection, there was no TV commentary being piped into the Dome as we watched.

[Enoch Root]

I don't want to see him low-balled. I like what he brings to the team with his balls-to-the-wall heart.

Give him 2 x $1.5m and get it done.

[Goodlad]

As a guy who never watches the Flames broadcasts (because they aren't usually available in HD through Center Ice) I can tell you Kerr and Simmer have nothing to do with how I feel about Bouma. It should also be noted the opposing teams' broadcasters repeatedly pointed out that guys like Bouma "win you championships".

His upside is limited, but there's something to be said for guys that excel at that bottom-6 grinder role, instead of just being failed top-6 guys.

[bax]

Yep, Bouma personifies the Calgary Flames to a tee. You need players like him to win games. Even better that he's an Alberta boy.

[Finger Cookin]

We don't really need to "sign" 3 more contracts, right? We have 20 roster spots taken up right now. With Bouma to be signed, the other two could be taken up by 2 of the 25 non-roster contracts we already have in place. Right?

[DOOM]

Originally Posted by MVW

3 year, 1.5 million per, fair for all sides.

Would rather a one or two year deal as a three year deal would bring him to UFA. (I believe)

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by Fire

I wonder if they are trying to low-ball him like they did Byron. Bouma had a solid season but he doesn't have much leverage as he is easily replaceable by Reinhart/Wolf/Ferland/ etc.

How was Byron lowballed? He was a UFA and still re-signed with us despite being able to get offers from 29 other teams. He is a borderline NHL player that managed to get a 1-way contract, he was far from lowballed.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

You seriously think people like Bouma because of comments from Kerr and Simmer?

I seem to recall him being pretty popular and garnering standing Os from the crowd during home games after repeatedly throwing his body in front of pucks. And to my recollection, there was no TV commentary being piped into the Dome as we watched.

Meh. He's just a 4th line player and the fact we are talking about him is more an indictment of where the team is talent wise at the moment. I never said I don't value what he brings to the table but I don't get too attached to replaceable parts. It's a plus in my book Treliving isn't going to overcomit to guys like Bouma and it's not like they won't eventually get a deal done.

[DropIt]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Blocked shots? Chris Butler blocked more shots and he was replaced. IMO the Kerr/Simmer love fest for this guy during broadcasts has created the illusion to some fans that Bouma is the second coming of Brandon Prust to which he is not. He doesn't have much in the way of offensive skill and he's not really much of a scrapper. He's a below average NHL player that wears his heart on his sleeve and plays very hard but his ceiling is very low. Don't get me wrong as I hope they agree on a deal but I have no issues with Treliving ensuring that the Flames aren't overpaying for 4th line players with limited upside.

A defenseman blocked more shots? no way.

Bouma, as a 4th line player, came 2nd in rthe league in blocked shots by a forward, tied with Ryan Getzlaf and behind Boyd Gordon. The names behind him in tha category are Kesler, Vermette, Pavelski, Couture, Wheeler and Fisher. All of which get significant more icetime than he does. Not to mention he surpassed all those players in hits by a mile, with Fisher being the closest, 40 behind the mark.

Yes, he is a 4th liner with maybe 3rd line upside, but players like him spark teams from big deficits, slow starts a lulls. Guys like him are very valueable and not easy to find these days. I think he is much more deserving of being overpaid than Engelland does. I think losing Bouma would be the same as losing Prust or Nystrom, regardless of the reasons why they left and it would be a huge loss to us and a large gain for another team

[Goriders]

Per my original post I hope he doesn't hold out.

That being said we have tons of cap space, he's an important cog, and I can't see him holding out for a ridiculous amount of money. If he is he needs a new agent. He's not that good.

I think something will get done in the next week or two.

[flame^thrower]

Bouma is one of those guys that help make a 27th place rebuilding team exciting to watch. Many losses could have been embarrassments instead of close, edge of the seat losses. Very important cog in the machine IMO. Hope it's settled soon, but I have faith it will be done. Hate to see summer go but really can't wait for the season!!

[Mr.Coffee]

Bouma was one of my favourite players last year. He embodies what it means to have an excellent work ethic, character, and the attitude to do whatever it takes to win. He may be a 3rd or 4th line player, but he plays that role better than anyone else on the team.

He reminds me a lot of Stephane Yelle. Our 2004 cup run and in fact, any championship team, have key role players like that to go into the dirty areas and face 90+ mph shots without flinching.

It would be a big mistake to not sign this guy, and if the negotiations are split over $0.5MM or something like that, I'd give in if I were the Flames. This is a guy you want in your roster, a guy underrated for the intangibles and character he brings every night.

[The Original FFIV]

Originally Posted by Mr.Coffee

Bouma was one of my favourite players last year. He embodies what it means to have an excellent work ethic, character, and the attitude to do whatever it takes to win. He may be a 3rd or 4th line player, but he plays that role better than anyone else on the team.

He reminds me a lot of Stephane Yelle. Our 2004 cup run and in fact, any championship team, have key role players like that to go into the dirty areas and face 90+ mph shots without flinching.

It would be a big mistake to not sign this guy, and if the negotiations are split over $0.5MM or something like that, I'd give in if I were the Flames. This is a guy you want in your roster, a guy underrated for the intangibles and character he brings every night.

Hes a good role player but whats the going rate for that? McGrattan makes 750k and Biznasty is looking for that as well. Yes, Bouma is a more complete player than those two but fact is that he's a fourth liner just like them. We all like Bouma but you can't break the bank for a player like this. 750-800k is reasonable, but he's not worth $1m.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Bouma is a great team player who gives it his all every shift. You can't have enough guys like him. What he, and the fans, have to start understanding is the Flames have a number of guys that could step in and perform the role in a similar fashion. You could see one of Hanowski, Van Brabant, Agostino or Arnold step in and perform the same role. Arnold and Agostino come with some offensive abilities as well. Heck, Bollig could make Bouma expendible. That could free up a spot in the middle for a guy like Reinhart or Knight, which would improve the team. Bouma is a guy I would like to keep around, but in the big picture he is a guy that can be replaced with little pain. The thing that concerns me about his departure is how it would affect the dressing room. He seems like a quiet leader and the guys like him. That intangible might make him a keeper.

[the2bears]

Originally Posted by New Era

Bouma is a great team player who gives it his all every shift. You can't have enough guys like him. What he, and the fans, have to start understanding is the Flames have a number of guys that could step in and perform the role in a similar fashion. You could see one of Hanowski, Van Brabant, Agostino or Arnold step in and perform the same role. Arnold and Agostino come with some offensive abilities as well. Heck, Bollig could make Bouma expendible. That could free up a spot in the middle for a guy like Reinhart or Knight, which would improve the team. Bouma is a guy I would like to keep around, but in the big picture he is a guy that can be replaced with little pain. The thing that concerns me about his departure is how it would affect the dressing room. He seems like a quiet leader and the guys like him. That intangible might make him a keeper.

So, painless, except maybe with some pain? Skill-wise Bouma can be replaced quite easily, it's the subtler things like this. We seem to have a good room at the moment, have to be careful playing around with it.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Every team that succeeds has guys like Bouma on them. 4th line, maybe 3rd line guys that just give it all. That said, they truthfully aren't that hard to find and can be easily replaced.

Bouma will be back, but I think if the Flames give him what some of the suggestions on here have been, many of the same people who were saying just getter done right now would be hating the contract if the Flames somehow improved quicker than expected and that cap space became important.

Unless there is some world class behind the scenes leadership going on Bouma isn't the type of player you over spend on, but he's also they type of player fans quickly overrated because we appreciate the lunch pail mentality and sacrifices we see him make night in and night out.

[mile]

Originally Posted by Mr.Coffee

Bouma was one of my favourite players last year. He embodies what it means to have an excellent work ethic, character, and the attitude to do whatever it takes to win. He may be a 3rd or 4th line player, but he plays that role better than anyone else on the team.

He reminds me a lot of Stephane Yelle. Our 2004 cup run and in fact, any championship team, have key role players like that to go into the dirty areas and face 90+ mph shots without flinching.

It would be a big mistake to not sign this guy, and if the negotiations are split over $0.5MM or something like that, I'd give in if I were the Flames. This is a guy you want in your roster, a guy underrated for the intangibles and character he brings every night.

Agreed. Anyone who has watched this team from 2006-2013 has to know how hard it is to find effective 3rd/4th line players. I'm not saying it is great now, but having guys like Byron/Bouma definitely beats the duds that have populated the bottom two lines throughout those years. I haven't seen consistent effort like that from our role players since 2004.

These are the types of players that help shape the identity of a team, and to let them go for nothing would send the wrong kind of message to the team.

[chubeyr1]

This past year was the first time Bouma impressed me. Might not be fair but I think he has reached his upside. Which is a solid 3rd 4th line guy. He is definitely an NHL player.

Can we replace him? I think we have enough depth in the organization to do so. May even have better options than him yet that is to be determined.

What I like the most about him is the effort he gives. Good role model for our young guys coming up.

Should we sign him? Would love to know what the flames are offering and what he is asking for. I would be fine up to 1.5 million one way contract for 2 years. Its a good raise and a show me contract. If he is asking for 3 million though? That's too much at this point. If he is looking for a five year deal? That's too long of a term too!

I was impressed by him, but need more than one good season to pay him! Maybe a good option would be a bonus laden contract. Should be a lot more of those contracts IMO. Protects the team and the player, a win win.

[-TC-]

Originally Posted by Fire

Yes, Bouma blocks a lot of shots that most players wouldn't and he has a lot of heart which makes him a fan favourite, but he's not an integral part of the team. If Treliving thought he was a must-have player he would probably be signed by now. I suspect a 1 or 2 year deal worth less than 1 million per season coming.

I hear you, but...

I think the thing that might get him better, is the character factor. That seems to be a consistent thread with the three guys (Burke, Treliving & Hartley), and I think that's what get's him a bit more.

His basic hockey skills can be replaced. But there's no guarantee that the next guy is going to try like Bouma tries. That's worth something.

[indes]

Bouma embodies everything you want out of your guys, no doubt in my mind this gets done before camp.