UFAs to sign or not

[Vulcan]

I'm looking over the UFA list and as has been said there isn't a lot that would improve us other than say Lecavalier, who might be a game changer in the sense of what our season ambitions are. Otherwise I don't see any sense in signing another centre or forward other than maybe a big physical RW.

Where I do see a need is for a top four defenceman or at least someone who can eat some minutes and there are a few possibilities. My first pick would be Andrew Ference. Boston isn't going to re-sign him. Now I realize he isn't awesome but he would be a good stopgap while a few of our prospects such as Cundari, Breen, Wotherspoon and Ramage mature.

Other possibilities are former Flames Jordan Leopold and Toni Lydman but both are fragile and non physical. I don't know much about them but Rob Scuderi, Ron Hainsy and Ryan Whitney might be okay if they aren't washed up.

My biggest fear is Feaster spending money on players just because he can and not taking care of our needs.

Anyone got other suggestions.

[theClassic09]

Nathan Horton.

[miraisoup]

Valtteri Filppula, but I think the wings will sign him.

[Vulcan]

Horton would be great but I don't see him coming here unless we get some other big names such as Lecavalier. The two of them would change this team in a big way.

[BigJim]

Jon Blum if he's available.

[Flame19,289]

Douglas Murray?

[dammage79]

Ference and Hainsey I wouldn't mind on D.

I think we need to get one center and a rw and we'll be set for the season.

So one of Fillpula, Weiss or Vinny. And I hope they take a shot at grabbing Wheeler.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Flame19,289

Douglas Murray?

Yeah, I knew I forgot somebody. He may be the good fit as we need a bruiser but can he handle bigger minutes?

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by dammage79

Terence and Hainsey I wouldn't mind on D.

I think we need to get one center and a rw and we'll be set for the season.

So one of Fillpula, Weiss or Vinny. And I hope they take a shot at grabbing Wheeler.

Doing a deal for Wheeler would be great but I don't see the value at this stage in signing Weiss or Fillpula. I'd rather give our rookies a shot.

[The Swedish Flame]

Blake Comeau

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

David Clarkson. Tough, pesty right winger who also puts up good points, but he'll want huge money.

Marc Fistric would be a guy that I'd love to have on the Flames. Big, mean, tough and young.

Those are two guys I'd like to see in a Flames jersey.

[killer_carlson]

Brian mcgratton

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Pierre "Monster" McGuire

David Clarkson. Tough, pesty right winger who also puts up good points, but he'll want huge money.

Marc Fistric would be a guy that I'd love to have on the Flames. Big, mean, tough and young.

Those are two guys I'd like to see in a Flames jersey.

Yeah I like big, mean, tough and young but can he handle top four minutes? If he can't I rather see Breen and or Cundari get a shot.

[zoom]

What about Kobasew on a 1 year deal? RW filler for a year.

[Da_Chief]

Benoit Pouliot, still young and looks like a late bloomer, can play either wing. Sign him to a 2 year deal and see how it goes.
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/players/bio/?id=4961

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

Doing a deal for Wheeler would be great but I don't see the value at this stage in signing Weiss or Fillpula. I'd rather give our rookies a shot.

IF they cannot take on more salary via trade. I can definitely see the Flames making a very lucrative short term offer to one of those centers just to carry enough salary for the next couple of years.

[sureLoss]

Ryan O'Bryne is another option for defense... while not a true top 4 he could potentially eat some minutes has size and a bit of grit.

[ricardodw]

Originally Posted by Pierre "Monster" McGuire

David Clarkson. Tough, pesty right winger who also puts up good points, but he'll want huge money.

Marc Fistric would be a guy that I'd love to have on the Flames. Big, mean, tough and young.

Those are two guys I'd like to see in a Flames jersey.

With Clarkson that would leave Stempniak as the least physical Flames RW and he will be gone at the trade deadline or next year. (Jones and Jackman)

At LW Baertschi, Glencross, Cammalleri, Hudler there are 3 small guys that will at .

At Centre Backlund, Knight, Stajan, Monahan, Rienhart.


Cammalleri and Stajan are short termers.


The Flames forwards are the Cammalleri and Hudler replacement from getting run out the building in a playoff series.


On Defense The top 4 are Gio-Wideman , SOB-Brodie

Butler-Smith are the depth if Brodie and/or Wideman are injured. That is NHL calibre depth

Cundari-Breen -Ramage, Wotherspoon are the depth for SOB ...... obviously someone like Fistric would force them to win the spot rather than get it by default.


I would rather have Cundari- Fistric dressed as the 5/6 than Smith-Butler.

[Vulcan]

I don't know if Pouliot or Kobasew are any better than what we got. If it isn't a top level player, I'd rather just give Horak a shot if there is an opening at RW.

[Bourque's Twin]

I think the Flames need to play their youngsters as much as possible.
Than means,
1. One or both of Monahan / Knight is full-time
2. Horak is full-time
3. Cundari is full-time and another D prospect is full-time (Butler snipped)
4. Berra / Ramo compete with Joey Mac for the 2 goalie spots

The guaranteed vets
Forwards: Cammy, Stajan, Hudler, Glencross, Stempniak, Backlund, D. Jones, Baertschi, Horak. That's 9/12 spots and leaves 3 to battle for.
Defense: Wideman, Giordano, O'Brien, Brodie. That's 4/6 spots and leaves 2 to battle for. Cundari most likely takes 1.

In terms of signing UFA's, there is no room on D, unless you can land a stud young guy who will rebuild with the team. For forwards, there's no room on the 2nd or 3rd lines. They will either have to sign a 1st line C / RW or a Bickel-type player to add some size and strength.