Which non-Flames UFAs do we target?

[edn88]

If Burke thinks we are ready to contend, then the only UFAs I would want are Vanek, Iginla and Niskanen. Other than that, maybe Raymond if he were cheap.

No to Downie and hell no to Heatley... the most important thing is to have good players in the dressing room with the young guys...

I would like to see us bring back Cammalleri, but only at the right price... if JG is going to play, I am not sure we can have three smaller players on the roster (or trade Byron I guess).

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by dino7c

you really think the flames will pick top 3 next year? because I don't

Hard to say, a lot can happen between now and then. Way too risky IMO to give up that pick though.

If that pick ended up being top three, and we didn't have it anymore and missed out on a generational talent it would be unforgivable.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

Hard to say, a lot can happen between now and then. Way too risky IMO to give up that pick though.

If that pick ended up being top three, and we didn't have it anymore and missed out on a generational talent it would be unforgivable.

I still think putting that offer sheet would force Columbus to eat up some cap space for them. No chance they let us grab him like that.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

Hard to say, a lot can happen between now and then. Way too risky IMO to give up that pick though.

If that pick ended up being top three, and we didn't have it anymore and missed out on a generational talent it would be unforgivable.

risky for sure but the pick would have massive value since I'm sure everyone assumes the Flames are gonna suck. If Burke knows he is gonna add some talent and is confident in the team I could see it happening.

honestly its pretty tough to be in the bottom 3, not sure how Edmonton pulls it off all the time. This season with this roster and major injuries the Flames were still 10 points above 3rd last.

I would trade it for a massive return, but that is just me...and on the plus side we wouldn't have to cheer for the team to lose ever!

but yeah risky, could cost a guy his career lol

[Table 5]

You don't even think about messing with the Flames 1st round pick for at least 2 years. This team will be drafting Top 5 again next year, and maybe even the following year. We need to have patience, not be looking for quick-fix solutions.

[Mike F]

Brooks Orpik would be ideal if we could get him on a 4 year or less deal.

6'2", 219 lbs, 6th in the league amongst defensemen in hits, lead the Pens in short handed time on ice per game...

I'd overpay on annual salary to keep the term short.

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by Mike F

Brooks Orpik would be ideal if we could get him on a 4 year or less deal.

6'2", 219 lbs, 6th in the league amongst defensemen in hits, lead the Pens in short handed time on ice per game...

I'd overpay on annual salary to keep the term short.

I could see Burke wanting Orpik. I wouldn't do a 4 year deal though. Isn't he 34? Overpay on a 2 year deal.

I also could see Burke wanting Kulemin for the 3rd line.

[ForeverFlameFan]

I didn't include Orpik in my preferences because I am assuming the Pens are going to want to keep him. If not, I would like to have him too.

[EldrickOnIce]

Originally Posted by edn88

If Burke thinks we are ready to contend, then the only UFAs I would want are Vanek, Iginla and Niskanen.

I know this will be unpopular here, but why would the Flames want to bring back the guy who was captain of that entitled team the Flames had for a number of years?

I love Iginla, wish him all the best now and in future. Obviously his competitive drive is back, as it should be. He is that dominant beast again. I simply never want to see him in a Flames Jersey again until he is the first ballot Hall of fame he will surely be.

[Mike F]

Originally Posted by kyuss275

I could see Burke wanting Orpik. I wouldn't do a 4 year deal though. Isn't he 34? Overpay on a 2 year deal.

A guy who played to 4 on the US Olympic team isn't taking a 2 year deal. Even 4 is doubtful and would require a big overpayment on annual salary.

[EYE_Overstand]

We have a lot of teams to compete with this off season in terms of spending...

Edm
Buffalo
Florida
Dallas
Columbus

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Table 5

You don't even think about messing with the Flames 1st round pick for at least 2 years. This team will be drafting Top 5 again next year, and maybe even the following year. We need to have patience, not be looking for quick-fix solutions.

how do you know the team will be drafting top five...they barely drafted top 5 this season. and nobody is saying quick fix, would I trade it for two high end YOUNG talents hell yeah I would. Nobody is saying give the thing away

[Gaskal]

Originally Posted by dino7c

how do you know the team will be drafting top five...

We don't. But with a generational talent like McDavid waiting for next year's draft, there's absolutely no way in hell we take that chance by trading it.

[Matty81]

Late to the party and I'm sure he's been said but Callahan, all the way. Throw big money at him, they have the room, he's a right shot, a leader and still relatively young. Bring him in even at 6 a year and ditch David Jones and you've made a major upgrade for 2 mil a season. Just the right kind of guy to teach young guys from everything I've heard about his character too. Might be a tough sell with Calgary rebuilding though.

Could also use a dman as many have said... although I think Wideman, Gio, Brodie and Russell are a competent top 4, some size mixed with skill would be nice. Probably not going to find it on the UFA market though I guess.

[Matty81]

I'd say pretty safe bet it's a top 10 pick at best/worst, if Cammalleri goes the team will almost certainly be a bit younger and probably a bit worse unless a rookie comes in and starts scoring like crazy.

What is left of the core of older players, Cammy, Glencross, Gio, Stajan, Wideman, Hudler etc are all turning 31 or 32 next year, if they're not into their decline it will be starting soon, I think Gio and Hudler might have more longevity than the others due to style of play/position but still not many players are playing at their best at 32+.

We have been leaning on those six guys pretty heavily - arguably 6 of the team's best 9 or 10 players, with their age I have a feeling it will get slightly worse before it gets better.

Unless Burke manages to pull off a miracle and deal a couple of them for similar, younger players the team has a gap between the new core being mature enough to contend and the old guys being in their prime and capable of pulling a team into contention (if that group ever was).

[dino7c]

I am pretty certain Burke will be bringing in some players to improve the team, this team is all about winning...not lets suck for a certain amount of years to collect draft picks and then at that point go all out. The Flames will try to improve their team whenever possible.

anyway I'm not saying move the pick like its burning a hole in your pocket, I'm saying look at the odds and consider would you could get for it.

honestly what are the chances the team gets #1 overall? If they are dead last in the NHL (which is highly unlikely) there is a 75% chance they still dont get it

[Wolfman]

Originally Posted by Gaskal

We don't. But with a generational talent like McDavid waiting for next year's draft, there's absolutely no way in hell we take that chance by trading it.

I don't know about everybody else, but...I want to be in the playoffs next year. This hoping for McDavid or Eichel is a joke. With last years and this years draft we are in a better position prospect wise. I'm sick of not being in the playoffs.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by Wolfman

I don't know about everybody else, but...I want to be in the playoffs next year. This hoping for McDavid or Eichel is a joke. With last years and this years draft we are in a better position prospect wise. I'm sick of not being in the playoffs.

I know... Exactly why I wanted us to put an offer sheet on Johansen. Our team isn't nearly as bad as other teams. And with McDavid and Eichel coming, even gives more NHL teamsa reason to tank for #1 to be guaranteed one of those two.

We are not too far from being a playoff contending team. Once again, keep in mind that Berra accounted for many of our losses; he blew it at the end. If we won 8 more of those 1 goal games, we're in the playoffs. Yes, we probably would lose to Anaheim in the first round, but I think it wouldn't be a sweep, it would be 6 or maybe even 7 games. Hartley has changed this team around.

Signing Niskanen/Greene, Another top forward such as Stastny, Michalek, or Vanek would help with the top line. Adding a legitimate backup like Emery, Elliott, or Vokoun would win us quite a few more games.

It bothers me when some posters say they only cheer for Calgary wins, but then start cheering for the McDavid and Eichel sweepstakes. Pick one.

Signing a few free agents will make our team a lot better, and I see us playing a good full season next year.

[Gaskal]

I staked my belief in the 2014/15 Better/Worse thread that I felt we'd move up 3-4 spots. No one is suggesting we straight up tank for McDavid or Eichel. However, even without being in range of those two, next year's draft is quite deep. We'd be likely picking up an impact player even if we don't finally win that lotto.

I feel that next year's our year - been telling that to everyone who thought we'd win this year to save the karma. It'd be funny if we won the lotto ahead of all the teams that are actually tanking.

Yeah, we might be near playoff contention, but then again we might even regress, and I'd feel a lot less awful if we lost out on a potentially high return on the 2015 1st rather than a chance at McDavid.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Wolfman

I don't know about everybody else, but...I want to be in the playoffs next year. This hoping for McDavid or Eichel is a joke. With last years and this years draft we are in a better position prospect wise. I'm sick of not being in the playoffs.

you are not alone, we have acted like Oilers fans long enough

Chicago won a cup after a couple high draft picks (and some great trades, good lower round drafting)

Pens won a lottery for the best player of a generation and have one cup

Then there are a ton of teams who have high draft picks for years who still suck ass.

Look at the contenders in the league, lots of them haven't drafted first overall