Which non-Flames UFAs do we target?

[Split98]

Originally Posted by dammage79

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.

I hope you're right. And my worry isn't of a UFA looking at what Glencross does. But more of a UFA not wanting to play here for the same reasons he doesn't.

We are all pretty excited about how the Flames finished the season, and hope the hockey world feels the same way and a UFA wants to be a part of that. My worry is that they (and Glencross) aren't seeing what we see.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

No way Jones is bought out. Burke said he was really playing well before the last injury put him out for the season. Mentioned him in the same breath as Backlund and Brodie as core players who took a step forward.

[Yoho]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

No way Jones is bought out. Burke said he was really playing well before the last injury put him out for the season. Mentioned him in the same breath as Backlund and Brodie as core players who took a step forward.

He seems like a bigger TJ Galiardi this year. Nothing ever seems to happen with him on the ice.

Core player seems like a stretch.

[theTrumanShow]

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)

only, if that includes their first next year.

[Gaskal]

Originally Posted by theTrumanShow

only, if that includes their first next year.

That's also if it doesn't get deferred to Buffalo.

[Vulcan]

If you trade for the Islanders first, you should get the choice of taking it this year or next year. It would take the pressure off the Islanders to differ the choice to next year and upsetting their fans. If they decide to take it next year, it's telling their fans they have no confidence that they can make the playoffs and plan to tank.

[ForeverFlameFan]

What are your thoughts on Dave Bolland? I'd like him as the 3rd line center, but where does that put Stajan?

[Caged Great]

It's hard, because we have so many forwards and not enough spaces. Would I take Bolland in a vacuum (no other factors), definitely. However, where do Stajan/Backlund go? Does that mean Knight spends next year in Abby as well?

It depends on what happens between now and July 1st.

[ForeverFlameFan]

I am just looking at free agents with a right handed shot and can really contribute to the team.

One that keeps coming in my head is Radim Vrbata: http://coyotes.nhl.com/club/news.htm...id=DL|PHX|home

Coyotes claiming they are making changes, from what I see, I don't see Radim being renewed a contract. I would like to take a stab at him. He can play first line minutes with Jiri and Mikael.

Seven players on the current roster are scheduled to become unrestricted free agents on July 1. They are (in alphabetical order): forward Paul Bissonnette, goalie Thomas Greiss, forward Jeff Halpern, defenseman Derek Morris, forward David Moss, defenseman Chris Summers and forward Radim Vrbata. Forward Brandon McMillan is set to become a restricted free agent.

"I think if you look at some of the players we've had around here for a number of years, we've had some level of success, but we haven't the last two years, so we have to make some changes and open up opportunities for other people, figure out where our chemistry went wrong," Maloney said. "We need more energy, need more hunger into our group. I think we got a little too complacent with people being here a little too long."

[Critter4223]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

You're underestimating our team a whole lot. We will make the playoffs in either the 2016 or 2017 playoffs.

I have calgary making the playoffs in the 2017 season. And yes I watched the game in which Gadreau played. It was a meaningless game against a brutal team. I think he will be a good NHL player but it's not going to be right outta the gate.

[RyZ]

None, or very few bit pieces. Maybe a Dman amd a goalie to back up Ramo. I think Sven has to be given an honest shot with good linemates, I think Max Power has to play every game next year. Id like to see Colborne stay full time and possibly even the guy we get at #4 overall this year. Id even keep a 4th line spot open and rotate Kinight, Agostino and Hanowski if they are playing well with the Heat. And that says nothing of Gaudreau and Arnold getting looks.

Im fine with going young on the forawrds and seeing what everybody has got this season. If we improve, great. If we stick near the bottom, we pick up perhaps a franchise player high in next years draft and we are off to the races in 2016.

[Burke Salad]

I keep coming back to Mark Fayne,shoots right, good size, moves the puck well, averaged 18 minutes plus per game for the Devils. Will not break the bank.

[FlatLandFlamesFan]

With rumors of Volchenkov , being bought out in Jersey I wouldn't mind bringing him in for a year or two
He brings a heavy game (hits like a Bull) , 3rd pairing guy or 7th D
After injuries on D this year ,we've seen some of the young guys are and some aren't ready yet
With the cap space we have could be a good insurance player

[ForeverFlameFan]

What would be funny is if we signed Ales Hemsky and played really well with us. Then he talks crap about how bad Edmonton is. Look at how much he likes it in Ottawa.

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

You're underestimating our team a whole lot. We will make the playoffs in either the 2016 or 2017 playoffs.

I dunno... what he's saying is basically that the team will be bad, then poor with noticeable improvement, then a bubble team, then a playoff team. That seems like a pretty logical and natural progression to make and a reasonable timeline.

[Gaskal]

Originally Posted by Parallex

I dunno... what he's saying is basically that the team will be bad, then poor with noticeable improvement, then a bubble team, then a playoff team. That seems like a pretty logical and natural progression to make and a reasonable timeline.

That is the natural progression although I felt in my post that it'd be hard to outsuck the McDavid tanker fleet next year so I jumped straight to the "noticeable improvement" stage.

[Goriders]

If they don't sign Cammalleri they're going to have to sign someone of similar salary level to get to the salary floor in 2014/15.

I'd say go after:

C Paul Stastny. Fills a big need for us up the middle with a legit 1st liner.

D Matt Greene. Also fills a gap we don't have. Monster punishing D man.

Doubt they get either. Probably have a better shot at Stastny than Greene with the $$ that Colorado has tied up in other young guys.

If they don't get any UFAs though I'm okay with running with the youngsters. But per above, the cap floor is going to be a big issue for the Flames next year.

Also not sure how they get "bigger" without significant moves. We have a lot of smaller players who are, or are about to be, important cogs on the roster (Camm, Hudler, Byron, Gaudreau, Grandlund, Russell, Brodie).

It's going to be an interesting off season in Calgary. Especially if Cammalleri walks for nothing. Training camp should be a war. Lots of players on the cusp.

Looking forward to it.

[Goriders]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

No way Jones is bought out. Burke said he was really playing well before the last injury put him out for the season. Mentioned him in the same breath as Backlund and Brodie as core players who took a step forward.

They can't afford to buy anyone out other than O'Brien because of the salary cap floor next year.

Unless they give a bunch of guys raises or extensions with raises kicking in immediately.

[Gaskal]

I'm hoping offhandedly that Burke makes a move for Gudlevskis.

[Ring of Fire]

Originally Posted by Gaskal

I'm hoping offhandedly that Burke makes a move for Gudlevskis.

Not going to happen. Yzerman has seen Gudlevskis almost shut down Team Canada single-handedly. I bet Lindback will be available...