Lance Bouma - a long term contract ?

[Journey17]

Need players like him if we are going to be successful. He has more offensive game than many of us thought. I think he could become a solid 3rd line 20 goal guy with the right other players (like current linemates Jones and Backlund). He is still fairly young so likely aren't going to see a problem during a 4 year contract but no longer.

Key point is that we need to avoid having the Jones type of contracts in the bottom 6. I like Jones's game recently but way overpaid. But 2M isn't a huge overpayment assuming cap doesn't plummet. Ideally could keep it under 2M but I doubt it with his scoring this year.

[killer_carlson]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

A 4 year deal includes 2 UFA years, no way it'll be for $1.5M IMO.

$1.5, $2, $2.5, $3M = $9M total, $2.25M per

a little more if he keeps the goals coming

can't be much more than that.

This guy has 3rd line potential, but also has 4th line potential as well. Key to cap management is keeping your 4th line to around 1 mill per player.

[Fire]

3 years at $1.5 million would get it done unless he tears it up for the rest of the season. His shooting percentage is 17% so don't expect him to keep this pace up.

[#-3]

Originally Posted by Fire

3 years at $1.5 million would get it done unless he tears it up for the rest of the season. His shooting percentage is 17% so don't expect him to keep this pace up.

that should realistically be the max, for $ & term.

There should really be an unofficial 3 year max on any guys you are not building around.

and as much as I like Bouma,

He's not Brodie, Gaudreau or Monahan, and those are the guys we are looking to build around right now.

[ramizle]

For comparison, Brandon Prust has a 4 year 2.5 per contract.

Prust 12 pts, 48gp
Bouma 19 pts, 48gp *breakout year

Yes, I'd definitely want to see Bouma stick around. I was very sad to see Prust go.. TWICE!

Bouma plays the same role as Prust and he does a pretty fine job of doing it. Contenders need Prusts and Boumas. He's a keeper imo.

[playmaker]

Originally Posted by Greybeard

4 years 2 mill per. Great 3rd line pk shutdown guy with some offence. Tons of heart. Need guys like this as your depth players.

The thing I can't stop wondering about (looking at his blocked shots and hit stats) is how he required two surgeries to repair his medial collateral and anterior cruciate ligaments only two years ago. Unbelievable comeback. Looks like they reinforced his whole body with steel beans or something.

That being said, could it be the reason why Treliving hasn't extended Bouma longterm yet, waiting to see how his knee reacts to a full season? Hard to say but I hope he's a keeper.

[Flashpoint]

Some offense? He's never had more than 14 goals at ANY level (incl. junior).

Young player? He turns 25 in March.

Long term? I guess if it's for a career 4th liner salary, and I like the guy and his intangibles, don't get me wrong, but we're not a physical team, and our PK sucks (which he is a big part of).

2 goals last night is absolutely an aberration. He's never going to more than he is right now, so let's not go all Maple Leafs about him.

[ForeverFlameFan]

3 x 2.5m or 4 x 2m.

[devo22]

currently 5th in the league in hits
currently t-17th among forwards in the league in blocked shots
leads all Flames forwards in SH TOI
scored 19 points in his first 121 NHL games, now has 19 in 48 this season
still only turns 25 next month

really amazing when you look at it. I'm fully on board with the people who want him signed to a long-term deal. Heart and soul guy who deserves a raise (around 2m/year or so would be fair IMO) and should wear a letter at some point.

[N-E-B]

I would hesitate to sign him more than 3 years. As mentioned above, his style of play will wear him down faster than other players.

I feel bad saying this, but guys like Bouma aren't all that hard to find. Every team in the league has someone similar to him. Don't get me wrong, I love Bouma, but the reality is he's a third liner and nothing more. You don't sign guys like that for 5,6,7 years.

I'd love to sign him for 3 years, but no longer.

[AC]

Bouma is one of my favourite players on the team. He's the best at what he does.

[GranteedEV]

I have no problem with locking Bouma up for a while with a decent paycheck - BUT you need to clear some bad contracts first because at the end of the day you can only have so much invested in bottom liners/pairings, and right now that's pretty much the Flames' entire cap hit with Smid, Bollig, Engelland, Stajan, Jones, Raymond all making around 3 a year. There's no reason to be even a little above the cap floor so long as they have so many ELC for top 6 guys.

[CSharp]

Yup, Bouma Good! Oilers, No Good! Haha...

He's needed on the Flames as he adds the necessary toughness and grit. Great all-purpose guy with heart and soul. He's an untouchable as far as I'm concerned.

[Dagger]

3 years 5 million is my offer.

[Bandwagon In Flames]

Originally Posted by Flashpoint

Some offense? He's never had more than 14 goals at ANY level (incl. junior).

Young player? He turns 25 in March.

Long term? I guess if it's for a career 4th liner salary, and I like the guy and his intangibles, don't get me wrong, but we're not a physical team, and our PK sucks (which he is a big part of).

2 goals last night is absolutely an aberration. He's never going to more than he is right now, so let's not go all Maple Leafs about him.

Biggest face palm ever right now. Please start watching Flames games instead of spewing out stats that don't tell the story. Bouma is a player you win Stanley cups with.

He's not a 4th line player and if you're an actual Flames fan then you should feel bad about this post..

[Dan02]

Originally Posted by Bandwagon In Flames

Biggest face palm ever right now. Please start watching Flames games instead of spewing out stats that don't tell the story. Bouma is a player you win Stanley cups with.

He's not a 4th line player and if you're an actual Flames fan then you should feel bad about this post..

I respectfully disagree, Bouma is the type of player who can bring a contender some solid energy and responsible play on the 4th line, if he's not far enough down the depth chart to be 4th line material then you don't have a contending team.

Bouma is the type of player that gets 2 year extensions not 4. 2x2 sign him.

[Bandwagon In Flames]

Originally Posted by Dan02

I respectfully disagree, Bouma is the type of player who can bring a contender some solid energy and responsible play on the 4th line, if he's not far enough down the depth chart to be 4th line material then you don't have a contending team.

Bouma is the type of player that gets 2 year extensions not 4. 2x2 sign him.

What I'm more referring to is you need different types of players to be a true contender.

If a team like Edmonton thinks it can get by on 1st overall picks full of skill and natural talent, by all means prove the formula wrong. But true contenders have these depth players with heart and true determination to do every little thing right in order for your team to win.

Bouma is a big part of the Flames current identity. Heart, passion and a no-quit mentality. Show me a Flame that better exemplifies what Hartley wants his team to be.

[flamesfever]

I love Bouma and his energy and willingness to sacrifice his body. However, somehow throwing out numbers after he has had one exceptional game, strikes me as being somewhat rash from an investment viewpoint.

[Bandwagon In Flames]

Originally Posted by flamesfever

I love Bouma and his energy and willingness to sacrifice his body. However, somehow throwing out numbers after he has had one exceptional game, strikes me as being somewhat rash from an investment viewpoint.

I don't see how throwing out an inexpensive contract number for a good 3rd line player is being rash.. He's been exceptional in his role for 1.5 years now. The guy stepped into the NHL after spending an ENTIRE season on IR. Has been getting progressively better in every facet of the game since.

A contract of 4 years at 8 mil is a steal on Bouma. The coach is staying long term, why not keep one of his favourite players long term?

[#-3]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

3 x 2.5m or 4 x 2m.

No Question. But I'm not sure it will have to be that much.
Things change so fast, term is a way more valuable asset than people think.

If the Flames were going to be up against the Cap for the next 2-3 years my opinion might be different, but give yourself as much flexibility as possible in 2-3 year when you will be up against the cap.

If Bouma if worth the same or more in 3 years, than he will be an extremely valuable asset, that will either next you a great return or give you the flexibility to move out an expensive high profile player for an enormous return.

And if he is worth it nobody will lament re-signing him.
edit (re-signing him, in 3 years when his contract expires).