Top 15 UFAs of 2015

[DOOM]

Originally Posted by H2SO4(aq)

For some reason I have a feeling we end up with Methot. And id be happy about that.

He would be a better fit than Franson, imo.

Just depends on what he wants cap/term wise.

[Mattman]

Originally Posted by CsInMyBlood

You mean their 4th Staal.

They already have Jordan, Jared and Eric.

Gotta catch'em all!!!!

[Mister Yamoto]

Just re sign Glencross. A way better option than most of the players on that list.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

no not really. You might have a case if the Flames were widely considered to be a playoff team in the offseason.

But when the Boychuk trade was made the Flames could have easily been one of the front runners for McDavid and any team in that position trading 2 second rounders for a pending UFA would be a bad move.

I was wanting the Flames to be in on that trade last summer. I was encouraged by the Flames strong 2nd half and thought they could have a good season this year. We don't know what the Bruins would have wanted from us. Maybe we could have traded one or two of our prospects where we were deep instead of the draft picks.

The biggest argument was that Boychuk was a pending UFA so yeah I wouldn't have made the deal without Johnny showing some interest to re-sign here.

I have to admit I'm a little biased in wanting him after watching him with the Hitmen.

[Murph]

Surprised there's no love for Ehrhoff. Quietly having a solid season in Pittsburgh, I think he'd be a good fit on the second pairing with Wideman.

If we go after a UFA defenseman in the offseason, one of Smid or Engelland will have to be traded to make room for Wotherspoon.

[Poe969]

Originally Posted by Mister Yamoto

Just re sign Glencross. A way better option than most of the players on that list.

I think trading away Glencross and getting some asset (maybe a d prospect or a pick to take a d prospect) is a better option because LW is probably the area where this team has the most depth. One of the main reasons I'd like to see Glencross traded is because we'd get to see a young player take his spot. It isn't about filling every position with players through UFA, we have good players already in our system and by trading a player (Glencross should fetch a decent return) we will add even more players that we don't have to over pay for.

Because Glencross is most likely a way better option, a team might over pay for him and he might waive to go to a contender so he can have a good playoff and boost his value this coming summer even more.

I'm all about maximizing on asset value and I think Glencross has more value to us if he's playing on another team.

[puckedoff]

Originally Posted by Murph

Surprised there's no love for Ehrhoff. Quietly having a solid season in Pittsburgh, I think he'd be a good fit on the second pairing with Wideman.

I think there's no question he would be a great addition to the Flames, I'm guessing that people arent 'voting' for him because he is sure to re-sign with the Pens.

[JJ1532]

Let's also consider potential guys to upgrade the 3rd pairing. For me, that is the bigger upgrade need at the moment. At the moment, Hartley is only comfortable giving that pair less than 10 minutes a night. We need a pair that can handle 12-15 minutes I think. All the players in this UFA batch that might upgrade our top 4 are imo either out of reach or won't make the UFA market. I'd rather we look at a 5-6 guy we'd be happy playing on the 2nd pairing to give Wideman and Russell a rest.

[FBI]

Why don't we just call Wotherspoon up already?? This guy has looked GOOD both in the NHL and AHL..

[ForeverFlameFan]

If Glencross doesn't resign here, I would like to get Joel Ward.

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

If Glencross doesn't resign here, I would like to get Joel Ward.

I wouldn't. Maybe on a 1 year deal, but 34 years old is just not age I'd target in free agency. He'll be 35 in December and is on pace for 20 goals - we don't need to be acquiring that sort of depth at this stage. We have young players who can bring what he brings. We need to improve our high-end talent, not our depth talent.

[FlamesAddiction]

With the cap possibly rising little, or stagnating next for season, I wonder if the buyout free agent market will be better next year than in recent years.

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by FBI

Why don't we just call Wotherspoon up already?? This guy has looked GOOD both in the NHL and AHL..

Check out point #7 on From 80 feet Above. It shows how long Red Wings players spend developing in the AHL. Five of their current d-men spent more than 150 games in the AHL. Even a stud like Kronwall spent 100 games in the AHL. Wotherspoon has only played 85 games in the AHL. Another season won't hurt him.

[saillias]

Originally Posted by FBI

Why don't we just call Wotherspoon up already?? This guy has looked GOOD both in the NHL and AHL..

Back in December the guys on the Fan seemed to believe the org wanted to call up Culkin for a stint, and that Wotherspoon, next time he gets called up will be for good.

Not sure why Potter got called up. People use that stint to make the argument "see, if Wotherspoon was up he wouldn't have played!" Or, maybe Hartley just doesn't like Potter because he's not good enough and would have given Wotherspoon a shot one night over Diaz?

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

Check out point #7 on From 80 feet Above. It shows how long Red Wings players spend developing in the AHL. Five of their current d-men spent more than 150 games in the AHL. Even a stud like Kronwall spent 100 games in the AHL. Wotherspoon has only played 85 games in the AHL. Another season won't hurt him.

Giordano himself played 144 AHL games before graduating full time to the NHL (and of course, a season in the KHL).

[Yrebmi]

Originally Posted by Murph

Surprised there's no love for Ehrhoff. Quietly having a solid season in Pittsburgh, I think he'd be a good fit on the second pairing with Wideman.

If we go after a UFA defenseman in the offseason, one of Smid or Engelland will have to be traded to make room for Wotherspoon.

He's just a little more older/shorter/left shooting than some of the others.

[FBI]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

Check out point #7 on From 80 feet Above. It shows how long Red Wings players spend developing in the AHL. Five of their current d-men spent more than 150 games in the AHL. Even a stud like Kronwall spent 100 games in the AHL. Wotherspoon has only played 85 games in the AHL. Another season won't hurt him.

Yeah yeah I know all about the Detroit style... (sorry, just sick of this comparison) IMO Wotherspoon could be a solid #4 and has already showed that he can play.. Just seems like we are all dying for a #3 or #4 guy when the solution might be right in front of us.

[sureLoss]

Cross Staal off the list.

Brooks reporting that he and the Rangers are closing in on 6 years. $5.6m to $5.9m /year deal.

http://nypost.com/2015/01/16/rangers...six-year-deal/

[killer_carlson]

A age and stat breakdown of the wingers that are on that list, with LW in RED).

Glencross is already top 3, possibly higher, in terms of LW UFA. Belesky's goals are impressive and Zuccarello's season last year was pretty good. Both are younger than Glencross as well. That being said, Glencross is at this moment the top point scoring LW UFA this season. If either Zuccarello or Belesky gets re-signed, Curtis should be looking at $5,000,000 + on the market.

3. RW St. Louis Age 39. Turning 40 in June. last year 30 goals for 61 points, 14 for 32 points this year

11. LW Belesky Age: 26. breakout season. 17 goals and 22 points thus far. Previous career highs were 9 goals and 24 points.

13. LW Zuccarello Age: 25. 19 goals and 59 points last year, 7 goals and 22 points so far this year

15. RW Williams: 33 but will be 34 at start of next season. Conn Smyth winner. Clutch big game performer.

Honourable mentions
Quote:
Forwards: Joel Ward (Capitals)RW, Age 34. 24 goals, 49 points last year. 11 for 19 points this year.

Jaromir Jagr (Devils), 100 years old. One of top 10 players to ever play the game.

Erik Cole (Stars)LW, Age 36. 16 goals for 29 points last year, 10 goals for 20 points this year.

Curtis Glencross (Flames)LW, Age 32. 12 goals for 24 points last year. 8 goals for 26 points this year.

Eric Fehr (Capitals)RW, Age 29. 13 goals for 32 points last year, 13 goals 21 points this year.

Michael Frolik (Jets)RW, 26 years old. 15 goals for 42 points last year, 9 goals for 25 this year.

Jiri Tlusty (Hurricanes)LW, 26 years old. 16 goals for 30 points last year, 11 goals for 17 points this year.

Drew Stafford (Sabres) RW, Age 29. 16 goals for 34 points last year. 6 goals for 21 this year

[sureLoss]

Interesting interview with Arthur Staple (beat writer for the Islanders).

http://nyislesblog.com/articles/audi...e-home-stretch

Puts a 65% chance that the Isles will re-sign Boychuk. He also says Boychuk is as interested in winning a cup again as he is in money, term and location.