UFA's- who's available this summer

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by AR_Six

Dallas managed to sign a couple - Whitney and Jagr - and trade for another in Roy. The return wasn't stellar on those guys by any means over the past couple of days as the market wasn't particularly strong, but in principle, the idea works. The only reason they didn't get anything for Whitney is injury issues. They may next year, they may not. And who cares? Won't cost them anything when he leaves.

Dallas also looked like they would challenge for a playoff spot. Calgary is looking like they will challenge for the 1st overall pick next year. I don't see veterans of the Jagr and Whitney calliber wanting to come to a team with no chance.

[dammage79]

I can see the Flames 2014 picks being used this year to grab some RFA's Like Berglund, Pietrangelo, Wheeler, Anisimov, Mueller, Alzner and such. Tons of teams are going to be struggling to get under the cap so this off season is a perfect storm to rebuild in.

[afc wimbledon]

Originally Posted by dammage79

I can see the Flames 2014 picks being used this year to grab some RFA's Like Berglund, Pietrangelo, Wheeler, Anisimov, Mueller, Alzner and such. Tons of teams are going to be struggling to get under the cap so 3 years ago was the perfect time to start a rebuild in order to take advantage of this seasons perfect storm

FYP

The Oilers, assuming a half competant management, aught to be in good shape with this, it is to early for the Flames though to be frank, all UFA's do is replace the expensive aging core you don't want with someone elses old expensive core they didn't want.

[Dorkmaster]

Originally Posted by ricardodw

Montreal was 28th overall just last year.

They went out and signed Prust and Armstrong and re-signed UFA Moen,

Replaced Cole with Ryder.... Cammelleri with Bourque.

Bought out to get rid of Gomez and are playing 2 talented kids under 20. (Gallagher and Galenychuk).. protected by Armstrong White Prust Moen and Bourque.

The only thing that is different from what than the Flames are facing is Carey Price and Markov taking Kaberle's minutes.

The Flames should have Baertschi and the #1 pick doing as good as Gallagher and Galenychuck..... provided they get some gritty guys to protect them.



The KEY to Montreal coming back was dumping the small skilled guys Cammalleri and Gomez.


The Flames have to somehow get rid of Cammalleri and Tanguay.

The biggest difference between us and Montreal is that PK Subban and Carey Price were the core in place. Plus adding a healthy Markov is huge. When the Flyers sucked they had Mike Richards and Jeff Carter already in place. Adding grit and youth is imperative, but its only a small part towards the solution. A new core needs to emerge and then when the time comes, you need to surround that core with the necessary role players.

We don't have the core, Oilers don't have the role players.

[ComixZone]

My ideal targets this summer:

1. Tyler Bozak (4 years, 4.0M per)
2. Sergei Gonchar (1 year, 6.0M per)
3. Nathan Horton (4 years, 4.0-4.5M per)
4. Clarke MacArthur (3 years, 3.0M per)

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by t0rrent98

Feaster's going to have a tough time acttracting UFA's this season. With Iginla likely not coming back, I don't see a real point of big name players coming to play for Calgary.

Only way I see it is if the players come because they like the atmosphere of the city, along with the fans.

The notion that Iginla was some sort of magnet for attracting UFAs is overstated. That may have been true in 2006 and 2007, but it hasn't been for some time now. Sure, some of his buddies have come back to play with him. But guys like Hudler and Wideman signed here for the same reason most UFAs sign - for the money.

[AR_Six]

Originally Posted by kyuss275

Dallas also looked like they would challenge for a playoff spot. Calgary is looking like they will challenge for the 1st overall pick next year. I don't see veterans of the Jagr and Whitney calliber wanting to come to a team with no chance.

Not the point. They didn't, they were sellers, and they got a return. I said the same thing about Carolina before those boneheads gave him term - sign the guy for 1 year 7 mil, if everything clicks and you crush the southwest, great, if not, toss him at the deadline for a first. Would have been pure gold for Carolina, too.

If you're suggesting that veterans won't sign because they think the team is garbage, then that's an obstacle sure, but nothing a few extra bucks won't fix.

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by Dorkmaster

The biggest difference between us and Montreal is that PK Subban and Carey Price were the core in place. Plus adding a healthy Markov is huge. When the Flyers sucked they had Mike Richards and Jeff Carter already in place. Adding grit and youth is imperative, but its only a small part towards the solution. A new core needs to emerge and then when the time comes, you need to surround that core with the necessary role players.

We don't have the core, Oilers don't have the role players.

Yep. The Flames aren't just dealing with a weak prospect base - they're dealing with a gaping chest-wound where the 21-28 year old talent should be. Brodie and Backlund aren't Price, Subban, and Pacioretty. And they aren't Richards and Carter. You re-tool when you have a couple young pieces of a core already in place, to build around or trade for other assets. The Flames don't. We have to build a new core almost from scratch, and it will take years.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

My ideal targets this summer:

1. Tyler Bozak (4 years, 4.0M per)
2. Sergei Gonchar (1 year, 6.0M per)
3. Nathan Horton (4 years, 4.0-4.5M per)
4. Clarke MacArthur (3 years, 3.0M per)

As always, GMs are going to overpay like crazy.

I think Horton will get at least $6 million per season. He's an easy 60 point player and there are many comparables that would justify it.

[Vinny01]

I think we should throw some $$ at Jagr. 1 year deal $5M. He will sell tickets, play with his Czech buddies, mentor some kids, and get us at least a 2nd at the deadline

[ricardodw]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

Yep. The Flames aren't just dealing with a weak prospect base - they're dealing with a gaping chest-wound where the 21-28 year old talent should be. Brodie and Backlund aren't Price, Subban, and Pacioretty. And they aren't Richards and Carter. You re-tool when you have a couple young pieces of a core already in place, to build around or trade for other assets. The Flames don't. We have to build a new core almost from scratch, and it will take years.

I understand that this is a glass half empty time for the Flames.... BUT

Glencross and Cammalleri and Hudler are top six forwards on basically any nhl team. If any one of them would have been traded the other team would be looking at them to fill a top 6 role. Backlund seems to be ready to move into a top 6 role.

Brodie Gio and Wideman likewise are top 4 d-men. They need some tougher guys than Smith and Butler to do the dirty work required to win in the NHL. If Carson hits anyone and everyone that he comes close to over the next 15 games he will get a look next year.


Add in Baertshi and the #1 pick 2013 and 2 UFA signings...out of Clarkson, Iginla or Horton and there is a solid core.

The signed (guys the Flames are stuck with for another year) support players Stajan, Stempniak and Jackman are not that bad as 3rd/4th liners.....and would be picked up by an NHL team if the Flames bought them out.

I think the Flames will buy out Sarich and Tanguay.

The Flames have to realize that everyone that they bring in has to be first and foremost tough..and willing to play the body and good team players.

Feaster went away from the Flames grinders and went too far to small skilled soft players....... .

I have been pointing this out since before they started playing the games for real in 2013. The experiment was a total failure.

there is ABSOLUTELY NO ROOM on this team for UFA Mason Raymond

Bouma and Alui have a better chance and need to make this team than Byron and I am sad to say Horak. Rienhardt might be able to make the grade and have enough jam as a checking centre.....


On the goalie front..... the Flames had nobody solid in that position when Kipper showed up. Every year there seems to be someone who totally unexpected gets their chance and plays better than the average NHL goalie.

[moon]

Originally Posted by dammage79

I can see the Flames 2014 picks being used this year to grab some RFA's Like Berglund, Pietrangelo, Wheeler, Anisimov, Mueller, Alzner and such. Tons of teams are going to be struggling to get under the cap so this off season is a perfect storm to rebuild in.

Pietrangelo will not be taken away from St. Louis. If the Preds were able to keep Weber for a year no chance the Blues are letting their Norris calibre defenseman go on a RFA offer.

RFA's seem to be a good way to screw up the rebuild and get us to the mediocre/bad team we were the previous 3 years.

Originally Posted by afc wimbledon

FYP

The Oilers, assuming a half competant management, aught to be in good shape with this, it is to early for the Flames though to be frank, all UFA's do is replace the expensive aging core you don't want with someone elses old expensive core they didn't want.

Oilers have so much cap space going to guys like Eberle, Hall, RNH and eventually Yak in the future that I think they will be resigned to short term deals like Calgary. Probably fits their team better than Calgary but they probably need to focus more on trades than FA to improve their team and get what they need.

[blankall]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

As always, GMs are going to overpay like crazy.

I think Horton will get at least $6 million per season. He's an easy 60 point player and there are many comparables that would justify it.

How is he an easy 60 point player. I know he's had injuries, but he's only ever had 60 poitns or more twice (and it was 62 each time). This year he's on pace for 49 points. Last year, had he played the full 82 games, he would have gotten 57 points at his pace. The year before that he had 53 points in 80 games.

Seems he's more like a player that struggles to hit 60 points. Whoever pays him 6 mil is getting ripped off.

[blankall]

Originally Posted by ricardodw

I understand that this is a glass half empty time for the Flames.... BUT

Glencross and Cammalleri and Hudler are top six forwards on basically any nhl team. If any one of them would have been traded the other team would be looking at them to fill a top 6 role. Backlund seems to be ready to move into a top 6 role.

Brodie Gio and Wideman likewise are top 4 d-men. They need some tougher guys than Smith and Butler to do the dirty work required to win in the NHL. If Carson hits anyone and everyone that he comes close to over the next 15 games he will get a look next year.


Add in Baertshi and the #1 pick 2013 and 2 UFA signings...out of Clarkson, Iginla or Horton and there is a solid core.

The signed (guys the Flames are stuck with for another year) support players Stajan, Stempniak and Jackman are not that bad as 3rd/4th liners.....and would be picked up by an NHL team if the Flames bought them out.

I think the Flames will buy out Sarich and Tanguay.

The Flames have to realize that everyone that they bring in has to be first and foremost tough..and willing to play the body and good team players.

Feaster went away from the Flames grinders and went too far to small skilled soft players....... .

I have been pointing this out since before they started playing the games for real in 2013. The experiment was a total failure.

there is ABSOLUTELY NO ROOM on this team for UFA Mason Raymond

Bouma and Alui have a better chance and need to make this team than Byron and I am sad to say Horak. Rienhardt might be able to make the grade and have enough jam as a checking centre.....


On the goalie front..... the Flames had nobody solid in that position when Kipper showed up. Every year there seems to be someone who totally unexpected gets their chance and plays better than the average NHL goalie.

Great post.

The only thing I'd disagree with is Tanguay getting bought out.

His cap hit really isn't all that huge, so the advantage of an amnesty buyout isn't that great. There's also enough uncertainty in any top 6 scenario, that Tanguay might need to be used in a top 6 role. Worst comes to worst, he's shuffled back into a PK type of role.

I'm really not sure what Tanguay has done to deserve all the ire on this board. He's not being paid top line money, but people are ragging on him for not consistently playing like a top line player. At 3.5, he's suppossed to be secondary scoring, which he has done quite well thus far.

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by blankall

Great post.

The only thing I'd disagree with is Tanguay getting bought out.

His cap hit really isn't all that huge, so the advantage of an amnesty buyout isn't that great. There's also enough uncertainty in any top 6 scenario, that Tanguay might need to be used in a top 6 role. Worst comes to worst, he's shuffled back into a PK type of role.

I'm really not sure what Tanguay has done to deserve all the ire on this board. He's not being paid top line money, but people are ragging on him for not consistently playing like a top line player. At 3.5, he's suppossed to be secondary scoring, which he has done quite well thus far.

People aren't ragging on tanguay for not being a top line player.

I don't think he's a buyout contract either, but I certainly don't want this guy hanging around the team if he's going to put in efforts like he has this year while there is zero accountability from the coach for his icetime.

I'd rather watch Jackman work himself into a lather for 20 minutes every night than watch Tanguay threaten to break a sweat on a board battle in his own zone for 20.

They are ragging on him for being soft and listless most shifts. Getting a couple of points here and there does nothing to mask his piss-poor compete level.

He's a poster child for the team's appearance of being utterly complacent and without effort.

"Worst comes to worst" and he kills just about any value he's got left and is immovable with his no-trade clause, not that he becomes a dynamite PK forward. Last time someone on the franchise tried to make him kill penalties, he asked for a trade.

[CaramonLS]

I think you look at bringing in a guy like Latendresse on a 1 year prove it contract.

Always liked his game a lot - however, he has been injured. When healthy he can put up some numbers.

He might be someone you can get as a player going forward, or ship him for picks later.

[blankall]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

People aren't ragging on tanguay for not being a top line player.

I don't think he's a buyout contract either, but I certainly don't want this guy hanging around the team if he's going to put in efforts like he has this year while there is zero accountability from the coach for his icetime.

I'd rather watch Jackman work himself into a lather for 20 minutes every night than watch Tanguay threaten to break a sweat on a board battle in his own zone for 20.

They are ragging on him for being soft and listless most shifts. Getting a couple of points here and there does nothing to mask his piss-poor compete level.

He's a poster child for the team's appearance of being utterly complacent and without effort.

"Worst comes to worst" and he kills just about any value he's got left and is immovable with his no-trade clause, not that he becomes a dynamite PK forward. Last time someone on the franchise tried to make him kill penalties, he asked for a trade.

1) We're arguing about whether he should be bought out now. Him killing his value is hardly a worst case scenario, if the other alternative is buying him out.

2) Last time he was asked to kill penalties, he was in his offensive prime and had every right to be pissed. How long does an NHL player get to be in their prime for? On average, 5? 6 years? You've asked an established offensive player in his prime to take a secondary role killing penalties, and you're surprised he's asked for a trade? Tanguay was coming off 3 consecutive PPG+ seasons at that point.

Now that his stock has fallen considerably and he's well into his 30s, you're going to get a different reaction, if you ask Tanguay to take on a secondary role. He knows what happened to him after leaving the Flames, and he's well aware at age 33 that he's not the guy anymore.

3) I don't think Tanguay is all that complacent. He's just older and not as good as he was. Hence the 3.5 million contract, as oppossed to a 6.5 million contract, which would be fair if he was still that PPG+ guy. I understand the desire to clean house. But it's not as though Tanguay's presence is goign to somehow smother the rest of the team.

[Kiran403]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

I think we should throw some $$ at Jagr. 1 year deal $5M. He will sell tickets, play with his Czech buddies, mentor some kids, and get us at least a 2nd at the deadline

Ya he would be good for a one year deal. He's been really good lately as far as setting an example for younger teammates as well as contributing on the ice.

Plus I would love to get a Jagr Flames jersey.

[Flame Of Liberty]

Originally Posted by calgARI

With everyone getting shipped out, who exactly is going to play on this team? It's not like they have tons of young players waiting in the wings to come up. You don't want to ruin young guys by rushing them to the NHL. There is no way they will not be very active on the free agent market this summer.

Everyone? 3 players by my count, 4 if you include Kipper.

Unless more dead weight goes, band-aiding up the roster with UFAs will only take away quality ice time from players with potential.

I'm almost willing to be thats exactly what will happen, because after all, that is the Flames way.

[Calgary4LIfe]

I would say the Flames will prioritize acquisitions in this way:

1) Look at teams with cap issues. See if a trade can be made for a vet with one year remaining, who has been under-performing on his contract.
2) Target UFAs that are more reclamation project material, that are willing to sign for a one year term to 'prove themselves'.

Not all of them will work out, but you can sell some at the trade deadline.

3) Sign some vets that will have a positive effect on young players. I think they will limit themselves to one that is more of 'leader' that they can sign for a multi-year (3 max, 2 preferably) that is big and physical (really lacking on the Flames).

I am just not sure you can include "non Post-Apex" players into this, and/or there may indeed be value in such players. For instance, Jagr was definitely a good signing for Dallas - looks like they will probably get a 1st out of this, but at least a 2nd. At any rate, getting a good 'older' vet sometimes does provide a lot to a team full of youth. I will get flamed for saying this, but Regehr in my mind would be a good target. Sign him to a contract that puts him on the 3rd pairing. Though he has definitely regressed (thus 3rd pairing minutes + third pairing contract), he can very much serve like Warrener back in the day and help mentor our D prospects - well, at least if we intend to bring Breen up and use him as a shut-down physical guy. A bit of a long shot..

I am just not convinced the Flames can bring players that are before their prime without giving long term contracts out in exchange in the UFA market, or give up futures for prime players in trades.

Third option is if the Flames make use of the buyout window, and obtain an ugly contract in exchange for a 1st, and use the buyout window right away. I think you can only use it on 1 player per season (and this is the last season for that window).

I do think Latendresse would be ideal - plays physical, has some upside, and could take a one year contract to redeem himself. There may be more out there, but not easy to find and to sign.