Pending Flames Free Agents.... who to re-sign?

[Poe969]

There should have been an option for not re-signing anyone. Russell is playing well but it would depend on what he's asking for and what we're offered for him at the deadline.

[Stay Golden]

Originally Posted by killer_carlson

I'm blown away there are 12 people who would rather bring back Butler than give one of our D prospects a shot next year.

- the evil that men do.

[Vulcan]

I notice a lot of people wouldn't re-sign Breen. I'd give him another chance to make the Flames. A full half season with the Heat and coming into camp injury free, could make the difference. At worse, he's a good AHLer.

Also Butler is fine as a 6th or 7th defenceman, so I'd re-sign him unless we get a bigger and better UFA. If he gets beat out in training camp he may be worth something in a trade, otherwise sending him down won't break the bank.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by moon

We sucked with him in the line-up.

We're worse without him. We sucked with him, and we suck even more without him.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by codynw

This season is the first time Russell has played this good. I'd rather see a shorter contract given to him to see if he can keep it up. 2 years, $4-6 million would be ideal.

Yeah I think you're right, he's only had one good season. Better to have shorter contracts to prove themselves worthy of a long-term one.

[$ven27]

Nobody, blow this up right.

[macrov]

Butler, Russel: We currently have 7 NHL calibre defensemen on the Calgary Flames. The closest guys in the pipeline are Sieloff who has probably lost a year due to his medical issues, and Billins who is undersized and will have to earn a spot in training camp. Given no one has proven they are ready to make the jump, we should keep all of them, especially Russel and Butler who are 26 and 27 respectively. No issues there.

If we do end up drafting Ekblad, and he can make the jump, then I would look to trade Wideman, who is starting to look disinterested, in the offseason. Given the jump in the cap, there will be takers for Wideman. If he was a UFA, he would be the top UFA on the market, so he would probably fetch a pretty decent price.

[-TC-]

Russell and Street, the rest are meh

[Mister Yamoto]

I didn't click on any of the UFA's. I want them all gone.

Actually, the RFA list sucks too. Bouma and Colborne are the only ones who I would like to see on the Flames next season.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Who is the one person that voted for MacDonald? Hahaha.

[Dx54]

None of them, to be honest.

[Ashasx]

I'd re-sign Russell only if we can't get at least a 2nd round pick for him.

Other than that, I'd re-sign Blair Jones, and that's it.

...and buyout David Jones.

[codynw]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

Who is the one person that voted for MacDonald? Hahaha.

There's two now, but btimbit and FlamesAddiction voted for him. If it's a two way deal it wouldn't necessarily be bad. He's cheap and always plays really good at the AHL level, provides stability for Abbotsford.

[Beatle17]

Voted for Russell. It doesn't really matter as to me as long as they don't resign Berra.

[Dion]

Stajan, Russell and Berra.

[moon]

Originally Posted by codynw

There's two now, but btimbit and FlamesAddiction voted for him. If it's a two way deal it wouldn't necessarily be bad. He's cheap and always plays really good at the AHL level, provides stability for Abbotsford.

I don't want either guy back but would prefer MacDonald over Berra.
MacDonald may not be great but he is better than Berra and can provide some veteran experience to guys like Ortio, Gillies and even Ramo if we are stuck with him for another year.

[FlameZilla]

As far as Stajan, Stempniak, Cammalleri and (ugh) Butler go, what if Burke can't get any return for some of them on the trade market?

I know Stemper has been brutal this season, but say they can't get rid of him for decent value and he stays with the Flames; do you offer him a below-market value contract in the summer? Same goes for Stajan & (ugh) Butler. I could imagine at least one of the above being signed in the offseason to fill out the roster.

[Caged Great]

I'd keep

Russell
Berra
Westgarth
B. Jones
Street

With Russell, you don't know if we might have a solid 3/4 guy to come through the rebuild, so why not keep him at least for a couple seasons.

Berra has potential to be decent, or at least a competent backup. Either way, the book isn't complete with him, so give him 1 year to see whether or not he's worth keeping.

Westgarth as the 14th forward could do. I would not have him dressed for more than 30 games.

Jones and Street for AHL depth.

The rest, if we can't trade them, let them walk.

[CaramonLS]

I'll start by saying that I absolutely loathe Chris Butler as a player. However, I would resign him if no other teams threw an offer at Calgary at the deadline, in the hopes that we could somehow move him next season. We don't have players pushing for his spot right now either.

A 3rd or 4th rounder would even be nice for him.

[Dx54]

Originally Posted by CaramonLS

I'll start by saying that I absolutely loathe Chris Butler as a player. However, I would resign him if no other teams threw an offer at Calgary at the deadline, in the hopes that we could somehow move him next season. We don't have players pushing for his spot right now either.

A 3rd or 4th rounder would even be nice for him.

Honestly, I think I'd be happy with a 7th for him. The guy is mistake prone and would really be doing us no good if he sticks around for another season. We have guys like Wotherspoon, Sieloff, Cundari or Ramage that could easily challenge Butler for his roster spot.