[News] Flames qualify 6 RFAs. Byron, Galiardi, Eddy, Martin, Roy do NOT receive offers

[Zee]

Should have kept Byron... all heart.

We'll regret this one.

[Gaskal]

I wanted him back at least for the year.

[burnitdown]

Originally Posted by nik-

surprised at the reaction to Byron not being qualified. He was "okay" but nothing to write home about, and the size thing, there's just no place for him

There may be no place for him but he's still a nice guy to have and surely even if you qualify him and he proves to be redundant cause Gaudreau makes it straight to the NHL, I'd guess you could at least pick up a mid-round draft pick? Seems like poor asset management.

[sureLoss]

Wes Gilbertson
@SUNGilbertson
Final answer ... LW Paul Byron did not receive qualifying offer from #Flames. Had arbitration rights. Possible they'll try to re-sign him.


hmm perhaps not qualified to just avoid arbitration.

[Otto-matic]

So the two most notable guys without QO's are Byron and Galiardi. Was hoping Byron would get his, really liked his progression. #Flames

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

maybe because they think we will be better when he comes back.

Do we keep his rights?

Yes, and that's why they qualified him......maybe he pulls a Gio and improves enough overseas to come back and make a real difference. Makes sense to hold on to his rights and hope he takes his game to another level.

[Yamer]

Originally Posted by nik-

I would have retained Byron over Hanowski though.

The only thing I can think is that it is positional. Correct me if I'm wrong but Byron projects as a centre while Hanowski is a right winger.

Still, I would take the sparkplug centre over Hanowski any day.

[Enoch Root]

Maybe they are simply giving him the opportunity to see if there is interest around the league.

They can still sign

Edit: doh! Sureloss'd

[StrykerSteve]

Wes Gilbertson ‏@SUNGilbertson 57s Final answer ... LW Paul Byron did not receive qualifying offer from #Flames. Had arbitration rights. Possible they'll try to re-sign him.

Silver lining?

[Robo]

Was wondering if they may try to sign him as a FA just wasnt sure what the benefits would be of doing that

[bubbsy]

i don't mind this. The possibility/opportunity for baertchi and/or gaudreau to be playing with the big club next season just increased a bit i would imagine.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by Savvy27

Why would you say that he had trouble earning a consistent spot? As far as I can remember he stuck in the line up after the Olympic break.

I think you answered your own question with that one. Last time I checked, Byron has been with the club a few years and the Olympic break isn't the start of the NHL season.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Wes Gilbertson
@SUNGilbertson
Final answer ... LW Paul Byron did not receive qualifying offer from #Flames. Had arbitration rights. Possible they'll try to re-sign him.


hmm perhaps not qualified to just avoid arbitration.

Interesting, but considering we are nowhere near the cap and arbitration only awards short contracts, I don't see what they would be afraid of. I doubt he would get a backbreaking salary award. Arbitration for him would just ensure he had a contract by September.

[Buff]

Byron did well enough for the team, but in order to get bigger as a team they have to be a bit more picky on who their smaller players will be and how many of these players they will have.

My only concern is that Byron uses this as motivation to become the next Martin St.Louis. Although, to be fair, we have seen more of Byron to know that won't be the case, but that concern will stick in the back of my mind for a year or two.

[Zevo]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

I'll miss that time he outmuscled Marincin in the corner to set up Monahan in OT.

I thought Hartley liked him. Told him to get a place in Calgary and everything.

Ya, because the only explanation is that Hartley didn't like him.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by StrykerSteve

Byron was one of the hardest-working guys on the roster last year, routinely out-muscling bigger/stronger players. Who cares if he's small, he played like he was 6'3.

There's no other way to say this..........Byron displays everything you want a player to display............but the reality is, he's simply not that good.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

Interesting, but considering we are nowhere near the cap and arbitration only awards short contracts, I don't see what they would be afraid of. I doubt he would get a backbreaking salary award. Arbitration for him would just ensure he had a contract by September.

arbitration should be avoided whenever possible, IMO

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

Interesting, but considering we are nowhere near the cap and arbitration only awards short contracts, I don't see what they would be afraid of. I doubt he would get a backbreaking salary award. Arbitration for him would just ensure he had a contract by September.

The new CBA states teams can't walk away from player initiated salary arbitration if the salary is less than $3.5 million.

Recall Feaster gave up a 5th round pick instead of claiming Russell off waivers to avoid arbitration as well.

The organization has been going out of its way to avoid arbitration for a reason.

[Stay Golden]

Out that bunch Byron did his best to earn an extension. Due to his size he will get passed over by several teams but I have no doubt Byron will get a least a 2 way contract by some NHL team.

[Wolfman]

I loved Byron last year, the kid gave it all every night. But, unfortunately one of the smaller forwards had to take the hit and it was Byron. If the rumour is true about Cammy resigning then it makes sense.

Smaller forwards: Cammalleri, Hudler, Gaudreau, Byron.