UFAs to sign or not

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

What interview was this? Missed that he had an interview discussing UFAs.

Post draft interview on sunday night when he broke down the picks and what their plans were going into free agency. Also I think he says it too on the Fan yesterday.

[PeteLFan]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

What interview was this? Missed that he had an interview discussing UFAs.

The one at the draft it's on the website.

[FlamesAddiction]

There really isn't much out there. When guys like Bozak and Clarkeson are a couple of the bigger names available, you know it's a shallow group.

I say throw some money at someone like Elias and then see if we could flip him at the trade deadline.

[PeteLFan]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

There really isn't much out there. When guys like Bozak and Clarkeson are a couple of the bigger names available, you know it's a shallow group.

I say throw some money at someone like Elias and then see if we could flip him at the trade deadline.

That would really help in future recruitments singing a UFA only to dump them right away.

[cowtown75]

Originally Posted by dammage79

I agree, but I've read and heard essentially from Feasters mouth that they're targeting top six centers. So I can certainly see them targeting Weiss and Bozak. I lean more towards Weiss but I can see Bozak getting some coin on a three years deal.

Not sure if they want Filppula as they said center that wins faceoffs and I don't know what his faceoff percentage is. Would like him but faceoffs are a key attribute they're targeting.

One interesting thing was that Filppula and Hudler played very, very well together in Detroit.

[bluck]

I wouldn't mind Bozak but not at $5 mil and 8 years... 4-4.5 for 3-4 years would be great.

[PeteLFan]

The interview period has proven to be very boring so far. Hopefully it's more exciting next year.

[Enoch Root]

Obviously they have a hole at C and could use another player.

However, giving a long term contract (anything over 3 years, maybe even 2) to a guy like Bozak just clogs things up (and uses up cap space) and closes the door for when a better opportunity presents itself. I would wait for the RIGHT opportunity, as opposed to jumping on the first piece of garbage that becomes available.

If the right player isn't available, find someone that will sign for one year. No matter who they are, there can't be much difference between them and Bozak.

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by PeteLFan

The interview period has proven to be very boring so far. Hopefully it's more exciting next year.

Tomorrow should be a more fulfilling day seeing as deals announced will be signed at midnight I guess.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by dammage79

Tomorrow should be a more fulfilling day seeing as deals announced will be signed at midnight I guess.

Think it is noon ET on Friday. So we have to wait until then to hear the deals announced.

[BigJim]

Given the lack of substance at RW, any interest in Matt D'Agostini? I don't know much about him so can't say either way, but he's young and has had some good seasons when he was with St. Louis, from what I could see on Capgeek. Any thoughts?

[mrdonkey]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Obviously they have a hole at C and could use another player.

However, giving a long term contract (anything over 3 years, maybe even 2) to a guy like Bozak just clogs things up (and uses up cap space) and closes the door for when a better opportunity presents itself. I would wait for the RIGHT opportunity, as opposed to jumping on the first piece of garbage that becomes available.

If the right player isn't available, find someone that will sign for one year. No matter who they are, there can't be much difference between them and Bozak.

Hell, I'd rather just play out the remainder of Stajan's contract than offer Bozak more money for a large number of years for what is essentially the same player.

I really hope they are targeting guys like Blum and Gordon for bargain signings rather than going hunting for big fish in a toxic waste pit. But knowing this management group it is probably the latter.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by PeteLFan

That would really help in future recruitments singing a UFA only to dump them right away.

If the player agrees to it and wants to make some money late in their career, I don't see why any other players would care. Dallas did it with Jagr this year and sincerely doubt there will be backlash from future players over it. I also seem to recall the Flyers doing it with a player or 2 when they were doing their flash rebuild.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by mrdonkey

Hell, I'd rather just play out the remainder of Stajan's contract than offer Bozak more money for a large number of years for what is essentially the same player.

One of the 'advanced stats' guys from Toronto has basically described Bozak as a tweener — not good enough offensively to be on a scoring line if you have alternatives, but no good at all on a checking line. He specifically compared Bozak to Stajan, but said Stajan is better defensively.

I'd like to give a link, but I think it's tucked away on my other computer. If anyone is interested I can dig it up.

[MissTeeks]

Wes Gilbertson‏@SUNGilbertson26s

#Flames GM Jay Feaster on 48-hour window to chat with unrestricted free agents: "We've had conversations already. It's been a busy day."

[dammage79]

Guys like Mueller fit the bill in terms of a player needing opportunity. Same with guys who want to get top line minutes like Filppula.

[dammage79]

Leddy just re-signed with CHI.

NEIL SHEEHY ‏@ICEHockeyAgent 14m
Nick Leddy loves playing for the Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks. Expect an announcement from the Hawks on Nick's future with Club.
Retweeted by Pierre LeBrun

[cowtown75]

I would love to see us get Clarkson. This guy is really coming into his own and is a tough RW'er who will stick up for our smaller fowards and put some pucks in the net as well. I would have no problem with a 3/4 year at 5.75. I pick Clarkson over Horton as I think Clarkson brings a more different dynamic and isn't concussion prone.

Filppula is another guy I would like to see here. Great chemistry with Hudler and I believe assisted on most of Hudler's 25 goals the year before. He also has upside potential wise and would be my second choice as I don't believe the Wings are not gonna get rid of Brunner- would love to see Brunner and Sven on the same line as the Swiss connection. Filppula on a 3 year, 4.5 would work for me.

Ference- I would like to see some heart and soul mixed with some hard to play against grit on the back end. We need more of this as a team. He would be a great leader by example for our young D and from many things I have heard about him out of Boston, will be very missed in the locker room- a natural leader. 3 years @ 2.5 M.

[ricardodw]

Originally Posted by cowtown75

One interesting thing was that Filppula and Hudler played very, very well together in Detroit.

2010-11 with Cleary on their line - Fipulla 39 pts - Hudler 37 pts

2011-12 with Zetterberg: Fipula 66 pts Hudler 50 pts

2012-13 with Backlund and Cervenka as primary linemates Hudler got 27 pts in 44 games


If you want to get Fipula and Hudler to perform well all the Flames have to do is get them to play on a regular basis with Zetterberg.

[jschick88]

@Aportzline Nathan Horton's agent, Paul Krepelka, confirms Horton was in Columbus today/tonight.