Which non-Flames UFAs do we target?

[Stay Golden]

Wouldn't mind Burke pushing for Wideman to be bought out but I don't see Edwards going along with buying out that amount.

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by Gaskal

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.

I don't think there will be a McDavid tanker fleet... I mean, nobody is going to outsuck the Sabres next year, that's a given but I have a hard time seeing Florida (with their excellent young guys getting more seasoned and a full season from Luongo) or the Islanders (doubly so if they elect to give the Sabres the 2015) being worse.

[Jason14h]

Not a UFA, but if Carolina is ready to give up on the Staal experiment I could see them going into tank mode next season and building around skinner and a McDavid/etc

If this were ever to be the case Calgary should try and pry Eric Staal out of Carolina.

[ForeverFlameFan]

http://www.capgeek.com/penguins/

Just looked at the Pens' salary cap, they sure do have a lot of big contracts (no surprises there). Makes me want the Flames to grab Niskanen from them, and give him more than double the money he is getting right now, around 5mish. How many years would you put on this guy? I would even offer him 6m because he is entering his prime. The Pens have a lot of UFA's, but I feel that Calgary can try and grab this guy. Only problem is I don't think he would be attracted to a place like this.

As long as we steal Orpik or Niskanen I'd be happy. M. Greene is another good option.

[Jason14h]

How many years would you put on this guy? I would even offer him 6m because he is entering his prime.

I imagine 5 years at 6.0 is the starting point

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

Makes me want the Flames to grab Niskanen from them, and give him more than double the money he is getting right now, around 5mish.

I think he'd cost more then that. I mean 5ish is probably a fair number... but he's just entering his prime and you're trying to lure him to a bottom-dwelling, western conference, rebuilding team. You're gonna need to offer more then just a fair number. I imagine 6x6 is a more realistic number.

That said I'd still do it. I'm generally not in favor of taking on any longterm UFA contracts right now but blueliners are an organizational weakness for us (just Gio and Brodie as legit no-question top 4 guys in the NHL and no bluechippers currently in the pipeline) so I wouldn't have any issue with investing a long-term contract on the backend for a guy like Niskanen. I think he'll age well and could contribute well into the Flames next period of contention.

[Gaskal]

With Burke having said that we are not drafting for position or organizational need, rather addressing them in free agency said, I think the biggest organizational needs from Brian's point-of-view are the 3 things:


1.) Backup Goalie who can play 20-30 games & can challenge Ramo a bit for the starter spot

-Jonas Gustavsson
-Jaroslav Halak
-Al Montoya


2.) Gritty RW that shoots RH

-Jaromir Jagr
-Ryan Callahan
-Jarome Iginla


3.) Big bottom 4 physical punishing defenceman

-Brooks Orpik
-Matt Greene
-Andrej Meszaros

[Ped]

Jag shoots left.

[Gaskal]

Originally Posted by Ped

Jag shoots left.

By the Gods I've gotten this wrong like 3 times now on CP.

[codynw]

I doubt Callahan would take a short term deal, especially with Calgary, but if Burke could sign him for 2-3 years I would love that.

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by codynw

I doubt Callahan would take a short term deal, especially with Calgary, but if Burke could sign him for 2-3 years I would love that.

He's already turned down more money then he's worth and more term then is advisable... he's not going to sign here on that term for anything short of gonzo money (league max type money). Big pass from me.

[Jason14h]

He's already turned down more money then he's worth and more term then is advisable... he's not going to sign here on that term for anything short of gonzo money (league max type money). Big pass from me.

League max is a little high He won't get contracts approaching Perry/Getzlef

I think hes going to ask for 7/7 and get close.

[Anduril]

Originally Posted by Parallex

He's already turned down more money then he's worth and more term then is advisable... he's not going to sign here on that term for anything short of gonzo money (league max type money). Big pass from me.

40 point per season winger who is already 29. A better player than Clarkson but only by a bit. Would he make us better? Yes but at what cost? Normally arguments of 'he won't be as good when we finally compete' aren't my thing but this would be a great example of it.

Luckily for us he's just going to price himself onto some poor slob's team.

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by Jason14h

League max is a little high He won't get contracts approaching Perry/Getzlef

I think hes going to ask for 7/7 and get close.

Probably (which is the more money then he's worth and more term then is advisable that I mentioned earlier)... but if close to 7/7 is what he's gonna get just try and imagine how much it would cost to get him to say yes to a two or three year deal (In Calgary). That number would be mindbendingly high... frankly I wouldn't want to pay him 7 on just a short-term deal to say nothing of a longterm deal (but I imagine some fool will give it to him... probably Garth Snow).

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by Gaskal

With Burke having said that we are not drafting for position or organizational need, rather addressing them in free agency said, I think the biggest organizational needs from Brian's point-of-view are the 3 things:


1.) Backup Goalie who can play 20-30 games & can challenge Ramo a bit for the starter spot

-Jonas Gustavsson
-Jaroslav Halak
-Al Montoya


2.) Gritty RW that shoots RH

-Jaromir Jagr
-Ryan Callahan
-Jarome Iginla


3.) Big bottom 4 physical punishing defenceman

-Brooks Orpik
-Matt Greene
-Andrej Meszaros

I would add Vrbata on the RW and Elliott as another backup we can use.

[Hank Hill]

Originally Posted by Gaskal;4736069


[b

1.) Backup Goalie who can play 20-30 games & can challenge Ramo a bit for the starter spot[/b]

-Jonas Gustavsson
-Jaroslav Halak
-Al Montoya


2.) Gritty RW that shoots RH

-Jaromir Jagr
-Ryan Callahan
-Jarome Iginla


3.) Big bottom 4 physical punishing defenceman

-Brooks Orpik
-Matt Greene
-Andrej Meszaros

I would go with Ortio over of any of those goalies listed. If you want Ortio to develop some more in the AHL, I would take a chance on more unproven younger guy with some NHL games like Berra that we could flip for some picks, or if they don't turn out then drop em. Its not like we are contending next year so I don't see a reason to push Ramo.

I like the D men you suggested, not sure about the RW's though, I would like some younger options.

[Young-Sneezy]

Originally Posted by Jason14h

League max is a little high He won't get contracts approaching Perry/Getzlef

I think hes going to ask for 7/7 and get close.

Well, considering Cammy just made 6 mill, is it unreasonable to do 5 years 6.5 as a replacement whos younger and comparable ? I'm kind of thinking a player like Callahan would be awesome for young guys to learn good habits around.

Sign with a team and lead the youngsters? might not be the worst situation...

[Phanuthier]

If LA gets swept, look for Mike Richards to be dumped or bought out (more likely). Any interest?

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by Phanuthier

If LA gets swept, look for Mike Richards to be dumped or bought out (more likely). Any interest?

Depending on the price, you bet.

[Badgers Nose]

Originally Posted by Phanuthier

If LA gets swept, look for Mike Richards to be dumped or bought out (more likely). Any interest?

Some dummy will give him a big contract if he gets bought out (term and dollars).