2014 NHL Free Agency

[FlameZilla]

Originally Posted by AC

Yeah good catch, its August 15th.

I suppose if we were so inclined and the talks went sour with Chicago we could acquire his rights.

Hayes might be more valuable to Chicago if they have to start trading some of their more expensive assets to get under the cap.

Having someone like Hayes, who might have enough talent to play in the top 6, on an entry level deal might mean they can afford to bring in Spezza or Statsny.

I get this feeling he'll sign with the Blackhawks.

[Fire]

I hope the Flames sign an actual backup goalie and not a legitimate or former #1 goalie like Hiller. If by the time the 2015-16 season comes around and Ramo's play falls off and Ortio is not ready then you sign a #1 goalie.

I also hope the Flames don't play hardball with Bouma, Byron, Colborne. I think they all deserve 1 mill+ contracts. Give Bouma a multi-year deal.

[AC]

Yeah I would have no problem if we signed Colborne and Bouma to 2-3 year deals at higher pays right now.

I recall during the season Millions tweeted that we were working on an extension for Bouma, so I think its likely he gets a bump beyond his required qualifying offer.

Colborne however just finished his first year, so he may not have the leverage for more than just his QO.

[EldrickOnIce]

Originally Posted by AC

Colborne however just finished his first year, so he may not have the leverage for more than just his QO.

Burke loves Colborne, despite non truculent. Hartley loves Colborne - very coachable. Doubt Treliving would dislike him.
They'll give him 2-3 years at 1.5 or so I'd guess. By that time we will all know what, if anything more than we see right now, Flames have in Colborne. I'm guessing quite a bit more - but I'm biased.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by FlameZilla

Hayes might be more valuable to Chicago if they have to start trading some of their more expensive assets to get under the cap.

Having someone like Hayes, who might have enough talent to play in the top 6, on an entry level deal might mean they can afford to bring in Spezza or Statsny.

I get this feeling he'll sign with the Blackhawks.

I think the World Championships really showed that Hayes is not NHL ready yet. Gaudreau didn't look out of place on the same ice as NHL vets, but Hayes looked like a kid who just finished playing in college. He needs some time in the AHL.


My guess for the RFAs: Bouma = $800,000 for 2 years; Colborne = $1.2M for 2 years; Byron = $800,000 for 1 or 2 years. Galiardi let go or qualified and traded.


If Miller doesn't end up in Anaheim, I could see him landing in Vancouver since he wants to be on the west coast and San Jose, LA, and Arizona are set for goalies. If Miller does go to Anaheim, I think Hiller will be the guy in Vancouver. I really don't think the Canucks go into the season with Lack and Markstrom as their tandem.

If Hiller doesn't go to Vancouver, I could see him coming here. If not Hiller, Greiss is my pick for the Flames back-up.

[burnitdown]

Originally Posted by AC

Personal preferences:

Scoring winger if Cammy leaves: Vrbata
Defence: Niskanen, Fayne, Stoner.
Backup: Lindback, Hiller, Emery.

Lots of people liking Fayne. Just wondering if we'd still want him if he comes in around +4.5M per year with a 4-5 year deal?

[schteve_d]

We are not really vying for anything this year so I hope we leave the goalie position alone and truly see what we've got. We've got enough good young goalies with potential to give reasonable shots to and see what they can do. Putting McDonald back in as backup or signing a vet who's not quite good enough to be a starter really doesn't do us any good moving forward.

Sink or swim time boys. So long as they understand that this is a young, rebuilding team and some nights will be tough; don't take it to heart.

[Lanny_McDonald]

I would think that the Flames would benefit from going after Hayes as a free agent. I'm not a huge fan, but I could see him as a good gamble on RW and, at worst, be a stopgap until other assets develop. Hayes would see the show sooner and likely player a more important role with guys he already knows he can succeed with. There is a fit there, and the Flames don't have to give up any assets to get him.

[schteve_d]

Iginla back as a RW in a reduced role?

[EldrickOnIce]

Originally Posted by burnitdown

Lots of people liking Fayne. Just wondering if we'd still want him if he comes in around +4.5M per year with a 4-5 year deal?

The unknown is just how much of his 'success' comes from playing with Greene.
Fayne has great numbers playing against top competition, much like Brodie does.
Will be interesting to see what kind of salary and term he gets, wherever that is.

[chubeyr1]

Originally Posted by schteve_d

Iginla back as a RW in a reduced role?

I like Iggy a lot but I am not some obsessed fan of his. I would like to see him return to Calgary and retire as a flame though. Think its a year or two too soon though.

Imagine, Gaudreau Bennett Iggy line, followed by Hudler Monohan Poirier line, Iggy always lacked a high skilled center, match him with one and Gaudreau???????? I could score 30 goals with those two players and I can barely skate lol.

Still think Iggy goes to a cup contender for now.

[Rick M.]

This is not the time for nostalgia.

[Enoch Root]

Bouma getting under $1m would be a travesty and an embarrassment

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Poe969

On d I want niskanen and stoner. Up front I'd like some one year contracts to older guys like Heatley, havlat, vbrata, hell even Richards if he took a one year deal. Long term deals shouldn't be handed out to any of these guys.... I like our goalie situation, don't think we need help back there.

Just curious who you have in the back-up role.

The Flames have basically stated that they would rather Ortio get minutes in the A.

[Jacks]

Originally Posted by schteve_d

Iginla back as a RW in a reduced role?

No chance Iggy comes back here at this point but if he did he would be the best RW on the team by a mile.

[memphusk]

Steve downie. 4 years.

[djsFlames]

I want Iggy back, no doubt.

Just not this this year. 2-3 years down the road would be the perfect time for both him and us.

[joejoe3]

lol Iginla back to Calgary

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Bouma getting under $1m would be a travesty and an embarrassment appropriate level of pay.

Fixed that for you. I like Bouma plenty but 800-850K on a one-way for a couple of years is an appropriate salary for a guy with his experience and level of talent.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

I want Iggy back, no doubt.

Just not this this year. 2-3 years down the road would be the perfect time for both him and us.

This