How would you rate the Flames' first day of free agency?

[Rick M.]

Originally Posted by Scornfire

Just as an aside, I can see Pribyl pulling second line duty

It's hard to know what we have in Pribyl. Tree did his best to lower expectations but I suspect they're hoping he can be a top 6 guy.

[Rick M.]

Ari Yanover has a pretty negative assessment of the Brouwer signing on Flames Nation.

[Greybeard]

B+ first day free agency. A- off-season to date. Addressed the goalie situation with two goalies that want to play here and have solid numbers. Both can be extended if play well and Gilles needs more time. Addressed RW need with grit and decent scoring ability. Brouwer will give Johnny and Mony some space and teams like Kings and Ducks will be less inclined to to cheap shot them. He will get his 20 to 30 goals on this line. You just don't get free agents under value!! Colborne had one short hot streak in 2 years of play. Most of the time CP was wanting to run him out of town for being too soft. We are better off without him. Now we just need to turn Wideman into a draft pick or prospect.

Bonus>> Did not do any 6+x6+ deals.

[Roof-Daddy]

We needed a proven back up goalie, and we got one of the better ones (at least going by the stats from last season).

We also needed a big, gritty, physical, right shot, right wing with those veteran leader intangibles. We got one at a "fair price" for free agency. Flames didn't add a core piece, they added a complimentary piece that they needed to supplement the young core and didn't terribly overpay for it relatively speaking. That's a good thing I guess, because you want to draft and develop your own core, not sign it in free agency. Some teams paid a lot of money and term for non-core players yesterday and I'm just glad that the Flames weren't one of them.

[Lil Pedro]

Giving them an A. Love the Brouwer acquisition. Now just need to resign Nak, Sean and Gaudreau

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by Rick M.

Ari Yanover has a pretty negative assessment of the Brouwer signing on Flames Nation.

Thomas Drance is the site owner, no need to pay it any attention.

[Robbob]

I liked it. You can probably count on one hand the amount of ufa signings that aren't mistakes and aren't an anchor for the team. I honestly don't think Brouwer is one of those. From the draft till the day after this team has made significant strides to be a better team.

[smiggy77]

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

A-

Got a key piece in Brouwer without overpaying drastically or offering too much term. Not a cheap deal either, so that knocks down the grade a little. Still, perfect guy to sign, especially for what he brings for the price.

Got a very solid backup goaltender that nearly stole the starting job in Buffalo last year. 40+ games with a .920 SV%. Those are pretty great numbers for $1.7 million.

Not picking up players who wanted too much money was a big plus. Leaving guys like Boedker, Lucic, Eriksson, Reimer, etc. with their contract demands for our rivals to fulfill was extremely smart.

I was in the middle of writing exactly of what you wrote. I think we shouldn't overlook at the fact that all these guys who got big term contracts will likely hurt a teams cap situation within a few seasons.

[sa226]

You can't always have 6 top 6 forwards, or 9 top 9 forwards. If you do, you're the Colorado Avalanche.

With the cap the only way we're going to find another top line RW is via an ELC. The Flames decided to tie 16mil + up in their top 3 defencemen. There's your additional top 6 forwards right there. The Flames elected to balance the offence between their forwards and defence. I prefer that to the Avalanche or Oiler model.

Moving forward, the Flames are hitching their wagon to a core forward group of Monahan, Gaudreau, Bennett and Tkachuk. Brouwer and Frolik are fantastic complimentary players that can play throughout the lineup. You need players like that, but you pay a premium for them on July 1st. So let's say the Flames paid a 1-2 mil premium for Frolik and Brouwer combined. That's 3% of the cap. That money is absolutely workable. The term is too.

The real mistakes of the day are paying someone like Backes or Eriksson that kind of money on that kind of term. Those moves are like scotch tape on a life raft. It'll keep them afloat for now, but it's still going to sink.

[devo22]

giving it a solid A, just like the whole offseason in general so far. Most would agree that goaltending and right wing were the biggest areas in the roster where something needed to be done, and Treliving has addressed both of those weaknesses in a great way IMO.

Elliott/Johnson is going to be a great tandem and will give the team a lot more stability than last year. Low acquisition cost (only a 2nd for a great #1 goalie), only 4.2m against the cap - what's not to like? Brilliant work in that area. Also gives them flexibility in the case that Gillies is NHL-ready next year. Couldn't be happier with the goaltending situation right now.

Also really like the Brouwer signing. Was surprised at some of the reactions on here yesterday, but I think he's the perfect fit for this Flames team right now. Add the low-risk addition of Chiasson and you suddenly have some pretty nice RW depth. If Chiasson can rebound a bit and find the game that he played in Dallas, the Flames have quite a few complementary players on the right side to play up and down the lineup.

Was pretty sad to see Colborne go, really hoped we'd re-sign him in addition to a new RW. For that to happen, a Wideman trade or a Smid semi-retirement would have needed to happen and we all know that this was always a long-shot. At the end of the day, it was pretty clear that the Flames were ready to part ways. Hope he does well in Colorado, always seemed like a great guy.

All that's left is re-signing Monahan and Gaudreau, and hopefully re-signing and finding a spot for Nakladal.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by Rick M.

Ari Yanover has a pretty negative assessment of the Brouwer signing on Flames Nation.

And her argument was a stat filled piece of crap. Brouwer is a good fit.

[IgiTang]

Originally Posted by heep223

Quoted for truth.

Our RWs still suck, and we got older and more expensive. Brouwer is overrated and could have had Colborne for cheaper.

Though, I am happy that we shouldn't get pushed around as much. That was embarrassing last season. And I do think Chiasson has some untapped upside. So maybe just talked myself from a C- to a C+.

Hope I'm proven wrong.

Don't worry, you are rarely correct in any of your posts. I don't see it being any different this time around.

Brouwer was great addition. Just look at the numbers. Hes no slouch and he's got a much better track record than Colborne.

Colborne will never be the quality player Brouwer is. Then consider everything else Brouwer brings.

It blows my mind how many people think they know more than the Flames staff... they don't.

In terms of the last few weeks, I would have liked to have seen BT get something in return for Colborne. His stock has never been and never will be higher.

Perhaps that's what other GM's knew and wernt willing to give up assets.

The only concern I have is the goalies contract status. But there's an entire year to get that sorted.

A- for me.

[DoubleK]

Solid A for me.

While I wished they could have made something happen at the draft to trade up to #3 and get a legit RW prospect, the cost must have been prohibitive.

The biggest needs got addressed, goaltending and a solid RW. Adding some grit in the process was an added bonus.

Buying out Raymond solved a problem. Not giving a bunch of money to Colborne would have created a similar problem. Glad to see they learned from their mistake.

[MikeMc]

I don't understand people who knock the Brouwer contract because it's "a year too long" or "$500,000" too much. It's the cost of business on FA day. He's a clear upgrade on Colburne and files a gap we had. If it was less money or term he wouldn't have signed here.

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[heep223]

Originally Posted by IgiTang

Don't worry, you are rarely correct in any of your posts. I don't see it being any different this time around.

Brouwer was great addition. Just look at the numbers. Hes no slouch and he's got a much better track record than Colborne.

Colborne will never be the quality player Brouwer is. Then consider everything else Brouwer brings.

It blows my mind how many people think they know more than the Flames staff... they don't.

In terms of the last few weeks, I would have liked to have seen BT get something in return for Colborne. His stock has never been and never will be higher.

Perhaps that's what other GM's knew and wernt willing to give up assets.

The only concern I have is the goalies contract status. But there's an entire year to get that sorted.

A- for me.

Well I really don't appreciate you taking it to a personal level, but if you want to go that route, it really does not bother me in the slightest that you don't agree with my posts. Though I hope other more insightful posters don't feel the same way as you. Let's not bother going down that road though.

Appealing to authority doesn't hold sway as an argument in my view. I don't think I know more than the flames staff, but that has no bearing on who's "correct". Nor should it stop anyone from giving their opinion IMO, including you.

I'd also note that I generally am a homer and agree with almost all of the decisions made by this management team. I just really don't agree with this particular one. And I've outlined why. I'm sorry if it offends you that my views are different than yours.

[btimbit]

Just July 1st, I'll give a solid A-

Johnson signing is a slam dunk as far as getting a dependable backup you can count on when needed, or to hold the fort reliably if your starter gets injured. I would have liked to see it be a 2 year deal, going into next summer with no goalies again makes me uneasy (although I'm sure an Elliot extension happens well before the draft next year) But do we not need to have someone signed into the next year to expose for the expansion draft? Maybe I'm wrong on that

Brouwer. I'm huge on this player. I watched a lot of St Louis last year from the trade deadline on, and especially in the playoffs, and Brouwer was an absolute force the entire time. He adds so much for this team, the biggest stuff you can't even see on a stat sheet. I don't even mean 'locker room character' or 'intangibles' (although he is loaded with both of those things, fwiw) but he goes hard into the corners, plays great along the boards, retrieves pucks well, uses his size to his advantage and never, ever gives less than 110% on a shift. He also doesn't get injured.

Colborne signing elsewhere: Gone back and forth on this, but I think having no Colborne at all is much better than having Colborne at the rumored 3.5+ mil he wanted here. Kind of unfortunate that it opens a hole on the left side in the middle 6, really hoping a prospect can step up this year. Not too upset about losing Colborne, I really liked the guy but not sure he really brought what the team needs going forward. Not getting an asset for him sucks, but with Colborne trade rumours going around for a while, I think other gm's just knew not qualifying him was an option and they could get him for free on July 1st. Who knows, whatever the case, good luck Joe

Only thing that kept me from rating the day higher was that extra $500k on Brouwer's contract. If he signed for a little less than Frolik then that would be a slam dunk deal. But still, we got a player we needed, so I won't complain.

[Mr.Coffee]

Originally Posted by MikeMc

I don't understand people who knock the Brouwer contract because it's "a year too long" or "$500,000" too much. It's the cost of business on FA day. He's a clear upgrade on Colburne and files a gap we had. If it was less money or term he wouldn't have signed here.

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Because people like me are viewing it (probably not correctly) from the lens of value on players across the league and unfairly attributing the same value perspective of RFA's and UFA's.

Everyone knows UFA's get paid because of the very nature of leverage in negotiations. When Calgary is negotiating Gaudreau's contract, they don't have 6 other teams offering Johnny crazy dollars and term that they have to beat. The natural suppression of the RFA market makes signings in the UFA market seem very expensive.

Yesterday when I saw the Brouwer contract it did in fact look exactly that, a year too long and $500k-$1MM too much, but when I think about it, that probably was the best price Treliving could get in the open market. Same with Edmonton and Lucic. Hell, Calgary was probably raising the price on Lucic just to screw over Edmonton!

Anyway, I think for most people when you see Trelivinh negotiate Brodie or Hamilton into these unbelievable contracts, and then Brouwer signs for what he did, the natural first (and kind of understandable) reaction is that it's an overpayment. But, is it really considering the circumstances?

I think we have lucked out as fans with Treliving as GM. this offseason truly has been about as great as you could ask for. I'd rank their offseason an A-, they're draft day an A+ but free agency only B+ because it'd be nice for them to get the Monahan and Gaudreau contracts done.

[Vinny01]

B+ as of right now.

We entered the summer with a need for goaltending and wingers with size. No doubt Treliving accomplished these goals. Elliot came at a cheap cost and with a solid resume. No doubt he is the best starter we have had since Kipper. Going with a more proven backup in Johnson solidifies the position and I feel much more comfortable as a fan with our new tandem.

Size on the wing was needed and also addressed. Firstly and most importantly Matt Tkachuk provides a long term, high upside option on the wing and hopefully is a top 6 fixture on the team for the next 15 years. Tkachuk very likely plays on the team next year so the team needed to make sure they added a solid veteran. Troy Brouwer comes in at an acceptable cost considering some of the term and money being handed out. He should be the best fit that Monahan and Gaudreau have had on their line. 6'3 213 right shot right wing hopefully creates more space for our star forwards. Chiasson is the Flames bargain bin pickup and he could be a valuable bottom 6 wing.

Right now it looks like Brouwer, Tkachuk, Chaisson, Elliot, Johnson in for Colborne, Raymond, Jooris, Ramo/Hiller, Ortio

I thinktheteam has upgraded but still could be better. Dumping Wideman and adding one more veteran winger would be ideal

[DownhillGoat]

Originally Posted by IgiTang

It blows my mind how many people think they know more than the Flames staff... they don't.

I like the off-season moves, as well as BT, but the Flames staff isn't exactly infallible. Granted they are privy to much more info but they can still make poor decisions.

[frodo_t_baggins]

C

Firstly, Johnson was a great signing.

Not impressed with throwing big money at a bottom 6 forward for his retirement contract. Especially before we have locked up our 2 core players and have an idea what our cap situation is going forward. I guess we needed another whipping boy going forward after Raymond was bought out.

Lastly, seeing colborne walk for the contract he did stings.