RFA's - Who gets qualified/signed, who is let go?

[Roof-Daddy]

CW - (23) - Mikael Backlund
CW - (23) - Paul Byron
RW - (23) - Akim Aliu
FW - (22) - Greg Nemisz
FW - (24) - Bryan Cameron
FW - (23) - Lance Bouma
FW - (23) - Carter Bancks
FW - (22) - Gaelan Patterson

D - (23) - T.J. Brodie
D - (26) - Chris Butler
D - (24) - Brady Lamb
D - (23) - Chris Breen
D - (22) - Mark Cundari


To me, the guys I bolded are pretty cut and dry to be re-signed.

Also, I think it's a pretty safe bet that Patterson and Cameron are toast.

The interesting ones are Nemisz, Bancks and Lamb. I could easily see it going either way with those three.


Nemisz - Never took that next step, and actually has regressed considerably. Although injuries didn't help his cause at all. If the GM that drafted him was still around, I could see him getting another one year deal to try to bounce back, but Feaster and Co. would likely find it easier to just move on from the former 1st round selection.

Bancks - Heart and soul guy, but doesn't have the skill for a top six role, and is likely too small for a bottom six role in the NHL. Still hasn't had a call-up during his ELC, and has been passed on the depth charts by Aliu, Bouma, Horak, Reinhart and more than likely Hanowski very soon. Maybe they cut him loose to see if any other teams are willing to offer him a two way NHL deal, and if not they could bring him back on an AHL deal only.

Lamb - Haven't seen him play, but PMM has mentioned that he's improved and been given a bigger role since the lockout ended. I guess it all depends on how management has evaluated him this season.


** Also of note, in all likelihood Irving is done in the Flames organization, so if the Flames do cut ties with Nemisz, that will leave just Backlund as sole remaining 1st rounder left in the Flames organization from Sutter's tenure.

That is some pretty piss poor drafting over an 8 year period.

[moon]

Backlund, Brodie, Breen, Cundari, Bouma are no brainers.

Byron and Butler will be re-signed but hopefully shipped off for anything they bring nothing to the NHL team.

Would like to see Bancks and Nemisz re-signed.

Lamb, Aliu, Patterson, Cameron can all be let go.

[Bertuzzied]

The only reason Butlersoft should be re-signed is to trade him for a draft pick to another team.

[killer_carlson]

I dont think we could trade Butler for a second round pick. I see no reason to rush to sign him. Let him test he market and show his true value. If someone signs him, then walk away and keep the second round pick ($1.67 per or so).

[GGG]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

CW - (23) - Mikael Backlund
CW - (23) - Paul Byron
RW - (23) - Akim Aliu
FW - (22) - Greg Nemisz
FW - (24) - Bryan Cameron
FW - (23) - Lance Bouma
FW - (23) - Carter Bancks
FW - (22) - Gaelan Patterson

D - (23) - T.J. Brodie
D - (26) - Chris Butler
D - (24) - Brady Lamb
D - (23) - Chris Breen
D - (22) - Mark Cundari

** Also of note, in all likelihood Irving is done in the Flames organization, so if the Flames do cut ties with Nemisz, that will leave just Backlund as sole remaining 1st rounder left in the Flames organization from Sutter's tenure.

That is some pretty piss poor drafting over an 8 year period.

I agree with your RFA assessment and think we should give up on Neimez and the others you list as questionable.

As to the drafting comment Phaneuf is still in the leauge and Erixson is as well, and one year we didnt have a pick so 3 of 7 picks made the NHL which isnt terrible give historical drafting performances outside the top 5

[GettinIggyWithIt]

Originally Posted by moon

Backlund, Brodie, Breen, Cundari, Bouma are no brainers.

Byron and Butler will be re-signed but hopefully shipped off for anything they bring nothing to the NHL team.

Would like to see Bancks and Nemisz re-signed.

Lamb, Aliu, Patterson, Cameron can all be let go.

I second that - with the exception of Aliu. I think he should get re-signed as a depth call-up for the 4th line and a big body for Abbotsford.

[memphusk]

With smaller skilled players like Gaudreau coming through the system, I really do t see the need for Byron. Size is what's needed.

[Caged Great]

Of the list, I'd keep

Backlund, Brodie, Byron, Aliu, Breen, Cundari, Bouma and Lamb.

Butler, Patterson, Bancks, Cameron, Nemisz and Irving are not worth re-signing.

Butler is a dime a dozen 5/6 D-man that hasn't shown any real improvement since the day he was acquired, and I would rather see his spot being taken by either Cundari/Breen or someone we sign. It was good to roll the dice on him to begin with as he did have some upside at the time, but he doesn't have the hockey sense necessary to take the next step.

[Husky]

I don't understand why you would not resign butler. He's cheap and the type of #5 d you want. He looks much better playing that role vs top 4.

[Caged Great]

Originally Posted by memphusk

With smaller skilled players like Gaudreau coming through the system, I really do t see the need for Byron. Size is what's needed.

I agree, but Gaudreau isn't going to be on the Flames next year. If Byron shows something in the NHL next year (or towards the end of this one if he's better) then see if he can build some value. He does have some talent, so it might be possible that he becomes useful in some aspect (even if it's only as a trade piece)

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by killer_carlson

I dont think we could trade Butler for a second round pick. I see no reason to rush to sign him. Let him test he market and show his true value. If someone signs him, then walk away and keep the second round pick ($1.67 per or so).

I hadn't even thought of a scenario like that, and I like that idea.

I've never had the hate for Butler like most here do, but our D definitely needs more grit which is something I admit Butler doesn't provide at all. Cundari, Breen and Sarich (if still in CGY next year) do, so I'd be just fine with the scenario you provided, or if that doesn't work just simply signing him and trading him for mid round pick in order to make room for a bottom pairing "gritty" defender.

Butler is still an asset though IMO, so he should be qualified so he remains Flame property for the time being.

[memphusk]

Originally Posted by Caged Great

I agree, but Gaudreau isn't going to be on the Flames next year. If Byron shows something in the NHL next year (or towards the end of this one if he's better) then see if he can build some value. He does have some talent, so it might be possible that he becomes useful in some aspect (even if it's only as a trade piece)

Yes but I really can't see a whole bunch or roster spots open next year anyway. Tanguay and Stajan will both be there, and with Bouma most likely taking begins spot, that doesn't leave much space as it is.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by Caged Great

I agree, but Gaudreau isn't going to be on the Flames next year. If Byron shows something in the NHL next year (or towards the end of this one if he's better) then see if he can build some value. He does have some talent, so it might be possible that he becomes useful in some aspect (even if it's only as a trade piece)

Exactly. Flames are trying to build up their asset "portfolio", so to speak.

Even if Byron is small, he needs to be retained and given a chance to build his value up. If he can do that, then he can at least be traded for something down the road if he's not part of the Flames long term plans.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by moon

Backlund, Brodie, Breen, Cundari, Bouma are no brainers.

Byron and Butler will be re-signed but hopefully shipped off for anything they bring nothing to the NHL team.

Would like to see Bancks and Nemisz re-signed.

Lamb, Aliu, Patterson, Cameron can all be let go.

I really think Aliu should be given a nice long look for the rest of this season, and if he shows something you have to bring back a 23 year old player who has potential to fill out some serious voids in our organizational depth chart.

Where are we arguably the weakest?

IMO, on the right wing, and we also have a severe deficiency when it comes to size and grit.

Well, then we should probably think twice about cutting loose a gritty 23 year old, 6'4 220+ lb right winger before giving him a serious look at the NHL level.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

CW - (23) - Mikael Backlund
CW - (23) - Paul Byron
RW - (23) - Akim Aliu
FW - (22) - Greg Nemisz
FW - (24) - Bryan Cameron
FW - (23) - Lance Bouma
FW - (23) - Carter Bancks
FW - (22) - Gaelan Patterson

D - (23) - T.J. Brodie
D - (26) - Chris Butler
D - (24) - Brady Lamb
D - (23) - Chris Breen
D - (22) - Mark Cundari

Can't disagree with much of what you said. Cameron hit his peak as a prospect. He's a career AHLer at best. The same could probably be said for Patterson and Bancks, but unless we're up against the maximum for contracts I wouldn't cut them loose just yet. Bancks could end up being a slightly lighter version of Prust and we know the kind of value guys like that have. Patterson doesn't have much upside, but he could be serviceable in a pinch, but I really don't know much about his pro game, just what he looked like in junior.

Nemisz situation drives me crazy. He had great potential but seems to have lost all confidence in his game. At some point he needs to improve his skating, and if he hasn't done it by now it'll probably never happen. To me, that's why he should be let go. He's 22 and still can't skate at the pro level; not a good trait for the modern NHL.

Aliu could be an NHLer, but only likely as an extra forward when we need some extra size. He's still lost in his own zone much of the time which makes him a liability even for a 4th liner. Still really like his jam and offensive zone work, plus he's a great agitator.

I bring back Byron because the coaching staff in Abbotsford liked him so much. I haven't had a big enough sample size at the NHL level, but you need depth forwards that can slot into the 2nd-4th lines at a moments notice and play a solid game. I feel like Byron can do that right now and still has unfulfilled potential.

Bouma should be a solid 3rd/4th line NHLer too. He hasn't had a big impact in the NHL yet...kinda reminds me of Jones. I'm not giving up on him, but I don't know if he's a guy we must have. At least he brings physicality and potential leadership.

Backlund is a no-brainer. He's our 2nd line center going forward.

Brodie is a no-brainer too. Top 4 defender developing into a top 2 defender.

Breen should be in the top 6 next year, maybe with Sarich as a mentor. He's developed nicely and has great size (something we desperately need in our defense). Of course you bring him back.

We just acquired Cundari, so unless you can flip him for a prospect you like even more, you bring him back and give him a chance to show his stuff in training camp. If nothing else, he can be an injury call up.

Brady Lamb is kinda like Cundari, one of those guys you can call up to fill in. He might develop into something more since he is still fairly young. I think it'd be ok to bring him back until some of our defense prospects are farther along.

Butler...what to say. He plays a good game for 75-90% of the game, but has at least 10% of his TOI where he doesn't look like an NHL defenseman. He drives me nuts. Still, we might need him since there's no prospect that looks ready to jump to the NHL besides Breen, and even he is probably bottom pairing at this point. It may take a couple years before any of the Wotherspoon, Culkin or Kulaks are able to play in the NHL. Butler would be a stop gap until that time, so maybe a 2 year deal for similar money would be ok. If the Flames found a much better UFA option I'd be ok with just letting Butler go.

[PlayfulGenius]

I like the idea of waiting to sign Butler...with the hopes that someone else signs him in exchange for a 2nd.

I don't see Byron as an NHL player unless its on a terrible team in need of warm bodies. He simply doesn't fit a role on a good team. I guess it doesn't hurt to have him on a 2-way deal as long as the team isn't up against the 50 contract limit.

[Canada 02]

Feaster needs to fill out a the Heat roster, so are guys like Nemisz, Bancks, Byron, Lamb etc better than mid-20 year old AHL vets?

Also, what prospects are ready to turn pro next fall to take the place of RFAs and UFAs who are let go

I think the only obvious RFAs let go are Irving, Cameron and Patterson

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by PlayfulGenius

I like the idea of waiting to sign Butler...with the hopes that someone else signs him in exchange for a 2nd.

I don't see Byron as an NHL player unless its on a terrible team in need of warm bodies. He simply doesn't fit a role on a good team. I guess it doesn't hurt to have him on a 2-way deal as long as the team isn't up against the 50 contract limit.

No chance Butler signs a 2 way deal. Qualify him and if Breen, Cundari, or who ever out plays him in training camp they can trade Butler. Flames will not get a 2nd round pick for him.

[ricardodw]

Originally Posted by killer_carlson

I dont think we could trade Butler for a second round pick. I see no reason to rush to sign him. Let him test he market and show his true value. If someone signs him, then walk away and keep the second round pick ($1.67 per or so).

To qualify a RFA making more than 1M the team must offer the same money as they currently are earning..... in Butler's case 1.2 M.


If the Flames don't make this offer then Butler becomes a UFA and really tests the market and the Flames get nothing.

[PlayfulGenius]

Originally Posted by kyuss275

No chance Butler signs a 2 way deal. Qualify him and if Breen, Cundari, or who ever out plays him in training camp they can trade Butler. Flames will not get a 2nd round pick for him.

In my post, the 2-way deal was for Byron, not Butler.