[Signing] Flames sign Deryk Engelland (3yrs, $2.9M AAV)

[MisterJoji]

Originally Posted by cral12

Salary is brutal.

It's official, the quest for McDavid/Eichel/Hanifin is on...

Originally Posted by Caged Great

We're still under the cap floor. This signing is to make us be a top contender in the Connor McDavid Jack Eichel Sweepstakes

Originally Posted by Swayze11

Great signing. 1 step closer to McDavid if this guy gets a regular shift.

Originally Posted by VladtheImpaler

Cap floor met? Check.
McDavid/Eichel still within reach? Check.

Relax, friends - yes, it's a horrible contract, but think of the big picture...

Yeah guys, because a bottom pairing defenseman is the stick that stirs the drink of the whole team. Overpayment for a pugilist D-man is surely indicative of tanking on purpose. Give me a break.

[Gaskal]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

It's embarrassing that, if you say anything that goes against the "Flames can do no wrong" mantra that many posters on the forum have developed, these same people mock you and ask for the ban hammer.

[bubbsy]

Wow just saw robidas signed with the leafs, looks a 3 for 3 deal also.... I would have preferred him and giving him more money, like 4 mill over 3 years

[burnitdown]

Originally Posted by Read Only

If that is the case then I guess Brodie is screwed as Gio, Wideman, Smid also all be playing 2nd pairing minutes to justify their deals and Russell at 2.6 must be pretty close to having to play those minutes to justify his deal as well.

OK, that's fair. You can counter my argument by saying it's totally ok to pay a 3rd pairing defenceman $2.9M cause everyone else gets paid around that much. Since we're rebuilding, I'd rather play rookies on entry level there with protected ice time or maybe bring in a cheap veteran to teach the young kids on that 3rd line role.

Why not throw a couple more dollars and get a guy like Fayne or Stralman?? If the cap isn't an issue then I'd gladly spend an extra $500k-$1.3M and get a guy who is inarguably better than Engelland and has potential to play top pairing minutes if you hit the jackpot and everything goes well. Sure, the dollars won't cripple us with this deal but let's burn the dollars on a better gamble than an aging defender who has horrible possession numbers and we hope can stay on the 3rd pairing over the 3 year deal.

[Caged Great]

Originally Posted by MisterJoji

Yeah guys, because a bottom pairing defenseman is the stick that stirs the drink of the whole team. Overpayment for a pugilist D-man is surely indicative of tanking on purpose. Give me a break.

By not getting actual scoring talent and getting to the floor without improving our offense, defense or goaltending much at all means we're likely going to be "tanking".

If there was a year in the last 10 that you'd do that for it's this one. All of the top 3 next draft would've been the #1 this year without a question and both McDavid/Eichel probably would've went ahead of McKinnon.

[cral12]

Also from the incomparable Mike Colligan this year (April):

5 Reasons Why the Penguins Have a Possession Problem (Part II)

[Da_Chief]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

yep.

Once again, here on CP, if anyone disagrees, they are crying babies who are overreacting. The Flames simply cannot do any wrong. Sorry, I forgot.

Most posters in this thread thought this was a terrible contract before I even posted. Once I did, the wolves were on me like clockwork.

I hope you notice the difference. Others say it and it read and talked about while you say it it sounds like a broken record cuz ppl are tired of your nonsense.

[cral12]

^Unfortunately, not as good news...unless you want to improve 2015 Draft jockeying for position...

[Savvy27]

Who are you guys worried about losing out on ice time? Sieloff and Wotherspoon are the only young D that are going to be in the NHL any time soon (and that's being wildly optimistic about Sieloff).

There are going to be injuries and frankly, it might be better for Wotherspoon to be lining up with a bruiser who will smash anyone who takes a cheapshot on him in the corner than with a cheaper guy like Butler.

[GettinIggyWithIt]

Originally Posted by Caged Great

By not getting actual scoring talent and getting to the floor without improving our offense, defense or goaltending much at all means we're likely going to be "tanking".

If there was a year in the last 10 that you'd do that for it's this one. All of the top 3 next draft would've been the #1 this year without a question.

I think it's way too early to call it tanking. By all accounts, management indicated that they were looking at the draft, free agency and trades to improve the team. The draft is over, free agency has just begun and they've made a couple of decent pick-ups and there is still some room for improvement through trades. I think this team will actually be better than last year's. I don't see us being bottom three, not quite in the playoffs but somewhere in between. Lots of time left for management to improve the squad. I'd love to get Eichel, McDavid or Hanifin, but I don't see the Flames gearing up for a run at that...just my opinion though.

[theoforever]

Originally Posted by cral12

Also from the incomparable Mike Colligan this year (April):

5 Reasons Why the Penguins Have a Possession Problem (Part II)

The article says Engelland cannot move the puck out of the zone under pressure, what a shocker.

[photon]

Originally Posted by bubbsy

Wow just saw robidas signed with the leafs, looks a 3 for 3 deal also.... I would have preferred him and giving him more money, like 4 mill over 3 years

Robidas is 5 years older though, 3 year contract for a 37 year old?

[Chaparraljam]

Originally Posted by kyuss275

What? This guy is going to be the new whipping boy.

Perhaps the plan is to lose a lot, but protect the kids and entertain the fans with lots of fights.

[Sylvanfan]

Actually bringing in guys who have been playing for Chicago, Pittsburgh, Anaheim the past few seasons might suggest the Flames want to surround their young guys with vets who have not spent time losing in their careers. Guys who can help set a solid foundation for the up and coming talent.

[bubbsy]

Originally Posted by photon

Robidas is 5 years older though, 3 year contract for a 37 year old?

True but he is an actual nhl vet that can help the leadership also... I've always loved the guy I guess.

[Ashasx]

Originally Posted by Da_Chief

I hope you notice the difference. Others say it and it read and talked about while you say it it sounds like a broken record cuz ppl are tired of your nonsense.

"Oh no! Horrible possession guy. Hope this doesn't happen, regardless the price tag."
"this guy is going to be the new whipping boy"
"In the running for worst contract of the day."
"Jeff Finger-esque"
"complete overpayment"
"We officially have managed to climb our way to #1 contender for McDavid"
"This guy has buyout potential."
"Didn't our new GM say July 1st was the worst day for managers to make mistakes? How does it feel to make the list?"
"It's official, the quest for McDavid/Eichel/Hanifin is on..."
"This is a Tambellini like signing, our Ben Eager if you will."

ok

[Demetric]

Originally Posted by Gaskal

So apparently here are our FA needs before today:

1.) Goalie to challenge Ramo: Hiller
2.) Big physical bottom 6 d-man: Engelland
3.) Winger - (I suppose they wanted big but no dice) Raymond

Anything we're missing?

Profit!

[Chaparraljam]

Originally Posted by GettinIggyWithIt

I think it's way too early to call it tanking. By all accounts, management indicated that they were looking at the draft, free agency and trades to improve the team. The draft is over, free agency has just begun and they've made a couple of decent pick-ups and there is still some room for improvement through trades. I think this team will actually be better than last year's. I don't see us being bottom three, not quite in the playoffs but somewhere in between. Lots of time left for management to improve the squad. I'd love to get Eichel, McDavid or Hanifin, but I don't see the Flames gearing up for a run at that...just my opinion though.

"I don't see us being bottom three, not quite in the playoffs but somewhere in between." That's the absolute worst place to be.

Better than last year? Unlikely to be bottom 3? Who will be lower? BUF, FLA, and EDM all got better since the season ended. We swapped Cammalleri for Raymond (lose big), Bollig for Westgarth (win), Engelland for Butler (tie) and maybe Johnny Hockey and Sven for Byron and Galiardi (TBD).

[4oh3]

Are we at the floor though now?

[chopper89]

Don't see a lot of positives here. McGratton is already the big-brother in the room, cracking jokes and standing up for the Kids on the ice. Bollig is here to give him some backup.

This is basically replacing Shane O'Brien with...Shane O'Brien for 3 more years. Ah well, not my money, but Treliving first very questionable move, in my opinion.