Which non-Flames UFAs do we target?

[Gaskal]

Darn it. Might as well just buy him out then, lot of prospects might be making the jump this year and I wouldn't consider him a veteran to teach the kids.

[HOWITZER]

This may or may not have been thrown out here before, but what if the flames chased after Thomas Vanek and signed him with the complete and total intention of trading him for value later in the year.

For example, sign him for 5 years at
$9m for 2014-2015
$5.85m for 2015-2016
And $4.5m - $5m for the remaining three years.

Then, when it comes time for deadline day this next year, send him on his merry way and retain ~25% of his salary through the 2016-2017 season.

I may have just broken every salary cap rule in the book in suggesting this, but if I'm not mistaken this falls within the rules?

By the time we no longer retain salary, Calgary should be trending upwards and be needing that cap space. Until then though, we keep that cap hit on the books to keep the teams head above the cap floor. And, unless the market for top-end forwards is as much a dud next deadline as it was this, we could be looking at a nice return in picks. On Vanek's end, he'd have to deal with 3/4 year in a market with no chance at playoffs, but would be shipped to a contender and make a boat load of money at the same time. And Calgary would have a UFA that could fill a hole for a younger player developing in abbotsford who can then make the jump when he leaves.

That, or I should just go back to reading instead of posting

[Money Baer]

Originally Posted by HOWITZER

This may or may not have been thrown out here before, but what if the flames chased after Thomas Vanek and signed him with the complete and total intention of trading him for value later in the year.

For example, sign him for 5 years at
$9m for 2014-2015
$5.85m for 2015-2016
And $4.5m - $5m for the remaining three years.

Then, when it comes time for deadline day this next year, send him on his merry way and retain ~25% of his salary through the 2016-2017 season.

I may have just broken every salary cap rule in the book in suggesting this, but if I'm not mistaken this falls within the rules?

By the time we no longer retain salary, Calgary should be trending upwards and be needing that cap space. Until then though, we keep that cap hit on the books to keep the teams head above the cap floor. And, unless the market for top-end forwards is as much a dud next deadline as it was this, we could be looking at a nice return in picks. On Vanek's end, he'd have to deal with 3/4 year in a market with no chance at playoffs, but would be shipped to a contender and make a boat load of money at the same time. And Calgary would have a UFA that could fill a hole for a younger player developing in abbotsford who can then make the jump when he leaves.

That, or I should just go back to reading instead of posting

Vanek will sign for max term and big dollars. No reason for Vanek to take cuts in both term/salary to sign with the Flames.

[Roof-Daddy]

If Flames brass have confidence that at least one of Baertschi, Granlund or Gaudreau can slot into a top six LW spot next season and perform, they should look into trading Hudler (with salary retained) to the Islanders for Clutterbuck + pick(s)

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

If Flames brass have confidence that at least one of Baertschi, Granlund or Gaudreau can slot into a top six LW spot next season and perform, they should look into trading Hudler (with salary retained) to the Islanders for Clutterbuck + pick(s)

Do you think Glencross has any value? Past 3 seasons:

13-14 season - 38 GP - (12G - 12 A) - .63 PPG
12-13 season (lockout) - 40 GP (15G - 11 A) - .65 PPG
11-12 season - 67 GP - 48 points (26 G - 22 A) - .72 PPG

One year left on his contract and still puts up respectable numbers.

I know CP gives him a lot of crap, his PPG seems to be dropping, so the best time to trade him is now when he still has some sort of value. I may be in the minority, but I think this guy can at least get us something back in return, and if we trade him, everybody wins (meaning a team that needs a scorer, and CP cheering in the streets).

I think he can put up really good numbers on a team that lacks in LW depth. Can play really well on a 2nd/3rd line that has a person that can feed the puck to him when he is open.

Does he still have a NMC or NTC?

[ForeverFlameFan]

What I was getting with the Glencross trade is opening up a spot for Sven or Johnny, or another LWer in the UFA market.

[Split98]

Unless Glencross has developed a hatred for Calgary, he isn't going anywhere. The primary focus of his current contract was his NMC.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by Split98

Unless Glencross has developed a hatred for Calgary, he isn't going anywhere. The primary focus of his current contract was his NMC.

Right, but maybe he might want to actually play for the Stanley Cup when the next trade deadline comes. That, or actually get traded during draft day and get on a team that will actually have a good chance of making the playoffs, such as Anaheim, LA, Detroit, etc.

Lots of teams should be looking at this guy because of how cheap his contract is.

[browntrout]

to be honest I don't think the flames should be targeting any high priced free agents. Get to the cap floor and let the kids play. Next years draft is deep, I would rather see the flames suffer another year, so they have a chance at getting a superstar. Does anybody else realistically see a vanek or moulson the FINAL ingredient to turning this team to a Stanley cup contender.

[Hatter]

Originally Posted by browntrout

to be honest I don't think the flames should be targeting any high priced free agents. Get to the cap floor and let the kids play. Next years draft is deep, I would rather see the flames suffer another year, so they have a chance at getting a superstar. Does anybody else realistically see a vanek or moulson the FINAL ingredient to turning this team to a Stanley cup contender.

The bolded is the problem. We may as well offer big money to valuable players rather than overpay mediocre ones. Just getting to the cap floor is fine, but while we're at it, it seems logical to chase players that can help the team in a meaningful way.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

Right, but maybe he might want to actually play for the Stanley Cup when the next trade deadline comes. That, or actually get traded during draft day and get on a team that will actually have a good chance of making the playoffs, such as Anaheim, LA, Detroit, etc.

Lots of teams should be looking at this guy because of how cheap his contract is.

I don't see it. I see him similiar to Shane Doan, location more important than winning.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

If Flames brass have confidence that at least one of Baertschi, Granlund or Gaudreau can slot into a top six LW spot next season and perform, they should look into trading Hudler (with salary retained) to the Islanders for Clutterbuck + pick(s)

Why do we retain salary and why do they add picks? Just swap them straight up.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

Why do we retain salary and why do they add picks? Just swap them straight up.

Sure, if the Flames have another way to get to the cap floor that's good too.

Otherwise we don't need to be making deals where we are shedding salary. Kepp some of it and add a pick or two, if the Isles are willing.

Point is though, if the confidence is there for one of our young, small(ish) skilled left wingers to step up next season, then move the veteran, small skilled winger for a bigger, grittier, physical right winger if possible.

Drew Stafford could be another option as well.

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by TheDebaser

I'll just add that Gaudreau is a top-6 talent today. I think if he can play as well as he did in his first nhl game, he can only get better next year with more coaching and some time to work on fitness. Just going off of that game in Vancouver, Gaudreau will be a force in our top 6 next year.

And Baertschi looked great his few games in the NHL. Had everyone (including Baertschi) penciling him in as a top-six forward. That didn't work out so well, did it?

Young guys play on adrenaline their first few games in the show. That wears off. And while a coach may go easy on system and defensive responsibilities the first few games in the big leagues, if you want to stick with the team you need to show you can be responsible and trusted game in and game out.

A season in the AHL to adapt to the 82 game pro grind and learn the team's system never hurt anybody. Look at how Granlund was playing by the time he was called up.

[FireGilbert]

Are the Flames really in trouble making the cap floor next year? The floor is expected to be around $52M and according to capgeek the Flames currently have 18 players signed for next year at just under $44M (I didn't count O'Brien).

The Flames will need to sign Byron, Colborne and Bouma which should add at least 5M. If they also add a 2M backup goalie, re-sign Buter or a similar replacement and have Gaudreau and his 1.8M cap hit on the team there are no issues making the cap floor. They could also gain another 1M by having O'Brien in the minors again.

I just do not want to see Calgary signing overpriced free agents this early in the rebuild. If they are going to sign players it should just be a RW or defensive depth.

[4oh3]

I see a retool is giving up players you have for players of equal value and hoping the change fixed the problem

[dying4acup]

Anybody who thinks Glencross or David Jones will be playing anywhere but Calgary to start next season is crazy. Even taking NMC, etc. out of the equation, Burke is not moving the few components with size and grit in order to fit MORE small wingers into the lineup. Correct me if I'm wrong, but Glencross has played RW at times for the Flames. If there is truly a logjam on LW, then move him over. People sometimes forget that he has been with the Flames for 6yrs now, and done a lot more good then bad. He can score, he can skate, he can hit and he can fight when called upon. Why move either of the 2 players, when Burke would likely be looking for players exactly like them in free agency?

[AcGold]

yeah overpaying for free agents is counter productive, it creates expectations and division. Giordano is the most valuable player on the team and is paid less than other guys that are often healthy scratches. Development and hard work, that's the way to go.

[Split98]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

Right, but maybe he might want to actually play for the Stanley Cup when the next trade deadline comes. That, or actually get traded during draft day and get on a team that will actually have a good chance of making the playoffs, such as Anaheim, LA, Detroit, etc.

Lots of teams should be looking at this guy because of how cheap his contract is.

Very true. But as much as I've tired of Glencross, I'd be worried if he was willing to waive to move how. He was pretty adamant that he wanted to lock himself to the Flames a few years ago. Someone willing to bail on them now might not bode well for us trying to attract UFAs.

Not that I'm saying that a UFA will worry that Glencross was willing to move, but the sentiment of not wanting to play in Calgary could be worrying.

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by Split98

Very true. But as much as I've tired of Glencross, I'd be worried if he was willing to waive to move how. He was pretty adamant that he wanted to lock himself to the Flames a few years ago. Someone willing to bail on them now might not bode well for us trying to attract UFAs.

Not that I'm saying that a UFA will worry that Glencross was willing to move, but the sentiment of not wanting to play in Calgary could be worrying.

All a UFA has to do to be attracted to this city and organization is look at how they played this past season and decide if they're willing to put in the work and through that hard work succeed. Standings wise it doesn't show. But you look at fan response throughout the season and the support and positivity surrounding this team is high. Very attractive to players I would think.

Glencross missed a huge chunk of this season and him wanting to move on would hold no bearing on a UFA's desire to play here.

Team success is the name of the game these days in Calgary and if a UFA wants no part of that, then he won't play here and Burke will make sure of that.