UFA Poll: Should the Flames resign Chris Butler

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by Machiavelli

It depends on the prospect.

Lots of stuff rhymes with Sven....

Jankowski is really throwing a wrench into things for me right now.

What the hell rhymes with Jankowski? "Worse than Drake Berehowsky"?

That's just not going to cut it.

[fanman]

Yes. If any young guys earn it, they will get playing time.
Plus there are always stretches with injured d-men.
Maybe a 2 year deal would be ideal. That gives guys like Wotherspoon, Kulak and Culkin time to properly develope. It's still early in the rebuild and there's no need to rush young d-men into the lineup.
If they can't outplay Butler then they shouldn't be on the NHL squad yet.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

Jankowski is really throwing a wrench into things for me right now.

What the hell rhymes with Jankowski? "Worse than Drake Berehowsky"?

That's just not going to cut it.

Bustowski

[GreenLantern2814]

I'd let Butler walk. I've gotten over my previous dislike of him, he's a serviceable NHL defender. I really want the Flames to make an effort to sign Willie Mitchell this off-season. He wants two years on his next deal, he's 37 and he's come back from major injuries time and time again. Now he's playing big minutes and contributing for LA in the finals AGAIN.

This is the sort of free agent signing our team needs. A (soon to be) two-time Stanley Cup champion, warrior, stay at home physical D with some decent puck skills, excellent leadership, and someone who overcomes the adversity in front of him like clockwork.

I'd rather have that on our blue line than Butler, but that's just me.

[Monahan23]

Butler should not be re-signed. He's a good top pair defenseman but he could be replaced by younger options like Matt Bartkowski, bigger options like Adam McQuaid or Johnny Boychuk or Brooks Orpik, and RH options like Stralman, McQuiad, Boychuk, Gilbert etc.

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by Monahan23

Butler should not be re-signed. He's a good top pair defenseman but he could be replaced by younger options like Matt Bartkowski, bigger options like Adam McQuaid or Johnny Boychuk or Brooks Orpik, and RH options like Stralman, McQuiad, Boychuk, Gilbert etc.

And exactly how many of those players are Flames property..... oh wait!

Butler is a "free" asset for next season, trading for someone requires giving something up

[Monahan23]

Unless it's an FA like Stralman or Gilbert or Orpik. "free" assets as well. And McQuiad and Boychuk would be pretty cheap

[dammage79]

I'd Gladly replace Butler with Stralman. But I think Stralman is destined to re-sign in NY.
There are better options out there than Butler come UFA or trade routes. Let's just play the field for a bit.

[OzSome]

If the Flames can sign a young two-way defenseman who can handle the 2nd pairing minutes, I'll let Butler walk; other than that I don't mind keeping him. Butler plays better playing less minutes and not being relied on heavily. He actually improved late last season though.

[Calgary4LIfe]

I voted yes, but for different reasons. Injuries happen, and it is nice to have some depth there. I am not a fan of Butler at all, but he is a good depth guy at least.

[bubbsy]

i voted no. He has progressed from being a POS defender to servicable 5-7 guy.

I would prefer the flames trying to go out and try some "new blood", who knows maybe the find someone that sticks. Butler isn't part of the long term plans, he isn't physical, is an avg at best defender, and zero offense player. We could use him as a stop-gap for the next year or two knowing his limitation, or we let him walk and try to find another young depth guy to give the opportunity and see if he can rise up to the occassion (like smith before he got hurt).

[ForeverFlameFan]

I liked the way Matt Greene played last night too... I'd put him with Russell before Wideman.

Gio - Brodie
Russell - Greene
Smid - Wideman

You have an offensive and defensive-minded player on each pairing.

[FlameZilla]

Niskanen is going to be hot property on the UFA market... We have the cap space to make it happen but I think it's a long shot.

In that case I would still consider re-signing Butler as a 6/7th D so that guys like Wotherspoon, Kulak & Culkin can take their sweet time developing.

I'm expecting some sort of shake-up though... We could get that big, RH shut-down D man via trade.

If Butler gets re-signed I think it might be quite a lot later this summer. Treliving will probably wait to see if there are better options.

[Fire]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814

I'd let Butler walk. I've gotten over my previous dislike of him, he's a serviceable NHL defender. I really want the Flames to make an effort to sign Willie Mitchell this off-season. He wants two years on his next deal, he's 37 and he's come back from major injuries time and time again. Now he's playing big minutes and contributing for LA in the finals AGAIN.

This is the sort of free agent signing our team needs. A (soon to be) two-time Stanley Cup champion, warrior, stay at home physical D with some decent puck skills, excellent leadership, and someone who overcomes the adversity in front of him like clockwork.

I'd rather have that on our blue line than Butler, but that's just me.

Yeah, Mitchell would be a great addition and the Kings might have trouble paying him what he wants. Overpay him for a 2 year deal. $5 million/yr. He should be a great mentor to the younger defensemen (Wotherspoon).

[Stay Golden]

Would love to see a competitive guy like Johnny Boychuk in a Flames uniform. Oilers will make a hard push for him.

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

Originally Posted by Monahan23

Unless it's an FA like Stralman or Gilbert or Orpik. "free" assets as well. And McQuiad and Boychuk would be pretty cheap

On the free agent market? I doubt it. I could see someone giving McQuaid $2.5 million and Boychuk about $4 million. They won't be cheap.

[Sylvanfan]

If they decide to keep him, I have no issues. But I would be trying to find an upgrade in the top 4 before I commit to keeping Butler.

[ricardodw]

I thinks the Flames have given his spot to Russell .... and have Billins as backup for that spot.

[4oh3]

If we can upgrade, no, if we can't, yes, pretty generic answer but that's how it is haha.