Flames RFA's - Who should be qualified/signed?

[Roof-Daddy]

There are a LOT this year.


Forwards (13)

(26) C - Mikael Backlund
(25) LW - Lance Bouma
(23) LW - Micheal Ferland
(25) C - Josh Jooris
(26) F - Paul Byron
(24) C - Drew Shore
(23) C - Bill Arnold
(26) LW - David Wolf
(23) C - Max Reinhart
(23) LW - Kenny Agostino
(23) F - Turner Elson
(25) RW - Ben Hanowski
(23) LW - Bryce Van Brabant

Defense (3)

(24) RD - Sena Acolatse
(24) RD - John Ramage
(26) LD - Chad Billins (Played in Europe & Flames still hold his rights)



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If it's me I'm probably qualifying all these guys with the possible exception of Hanowski, depends how much of a glue guy he might be for the AHL, because I doubt he is ever making the NHL as a Flame.

Byron IMO, is a useful player, and may even have some value in a trade, even if it's a late round pick....that's if there isn't a spot for him on the team, which there very well could be.

Acolatse and Ramage are at worst "still young ish" veteran D for the farm, and both right handed shots as well. Although long shots for the NHL at this point, we will need some veteran presence for the farm team with all the young guys down there.

BVB and Elson are both hard workers, and still young. We still need bodies for the farm, and these guys fit the bill and may still one day push for NHL jobs.

Not sure what Billins plans are going forward, but he was our farm teams #1 defenseman two seasons ago before going to Europe for a season, so if he is coming back I would definitely keep him on as an AHL leader who might push for an NHL job as well.


BTW, if all the above guys get contracts the Flames would be at 45 total NHL contracts prior to any UFA signings or trades.

[868904]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

Acolatse and Ramage are at worst "still young ish" veteran D for the farm, and both right handed shots as well. Although long shots for the NHL at this point, we will need some veteran presence for the farm team with all the young guys down there.

Not sure what Billins plans are going forward, but he was our farm teams #1 defenseman two seasons ago before going to Europe for a season, so if he is coming back I would definitely keep him on as an AHL leader who might push for an NHL job as well.

I think the Flames like Ramage a lot more than the fans do. He's just not a sexy prospect and is a bit boring but that's not a bad thing to have in a defenseman. I think he and Wotherspoon will be fighting it out for that 7th spot next year.

As for Billins, not sure if it was a mutual decision for him to go to Europe last year, but I don't think there was a better situation for a smallish offensive defenseman than the Flames. Maybe he didn't feel like he was on Hartley's good side?

[CroFlames]

At 45 total contracts, there is no reason not to sign all those guys then except Billins. It still gives you the freedom to acquire guys.

If Billins is playing in Europe, I'd cut ties with him. Guys like him are a dime a dozen.

[sureLoss]

Ortio is signed for next season.

I believe only Backlund, Bouma and Byron have arbitration rights.

[Lil Pedro]

I think Byron was a great fit for when he was with the flames, but I really don't think the flames should be bringing him back. Would rather have his spot taken by a younger draft pick who earns it out of camp

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by Lil Pedro

I think Byron was a great fit for when he was with the flames, but I really don't think the flames should be bringing him back. Would rather have his spot taken by a younger draft pick who earns it out of camp

I'd like to see his spot taken by a young prospect, but in case no one steps up, it's good to have Byron as the back up plan. Potter 2.0

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Ortio is signed for next season.

I believe only Backlund, Bouma and Byron have arbitration rights.

I must be losing my mind. I was so sure he was an RFA that I didn't even look before posting.

What say you on Cundari?

[sureLoss]

Cundari is UFA.

He is going to move on to another organization if he can.

Looks like a Wotherspoon, Ramage, Kulak and Culkin all jumped him on the depth chart.

[Caged Great]

There is no need for Cundari to come back. We have too many D next year anyway.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by Caged Great

There is no need for Cundari to come back. We have too many D next year anyway.

Agreed 100%

[BACKCHECK!!!]

Forwards (13)

(26) C - Mikael Backlund - Big raise - $4m ish
(25) LW - Lance Bouma - Big raise -$2.2m ish
(23) LW - Micheal Ferland - Qualifying Offer
(25) C - Josh Jooris - $1m ish
(26) F - Paul Byron - I hear Switzerland is actually really nice
(24) C - Drew Shore - Qualifying Offer (and would negotiate if he played hardball)
(23) C - Bill Arnold - Qualifying Offer
(26) LW - David Wolf - Qualifying Offer
(23) C - Max Reinhart - Qualifying Offer (one more kick at the can)
(23) LW - Kenny Agostino - Qualifying Offer
(23) F - Turner Elson - AHL contract
(25) RW - Ben Hanowski - AHL contract
(23) LW - Bryce Van Brabant - AHL contract

Defense (4)

(24) RD - Sena Acolatse - Qualifying Offer
(24) RD - John Ramage - Qualifying Offer
(25) LD - Mark Cundari (UFA Group VI) - I hear Switzerland is really nice
(26) LD - Chad Billins - I hear Switzerland is really nice... just sayin'.

[Mister Yamoto]

I wonder if Josh Jooris is in line for a 1 way contract. I kinda think he should be. Amazing how he seemed to come from out of nowhere and make the team.

I just hope the Thunder are good. And maybe even stick around for a few seasons.

[heep223]

^ are you Backlund's agent?

[dammage79]

Let Byron walk.

rest should be easily re-signed.

[BACKCHECK!!!]

Originally Posted by heep223

^ are you Backlund's agent?

For comparisons to Backlund, I'd look for centremen with strong possession numbers and a good defensive game, who can play against extremely difficult opposition, but should be expected to score less than 20 goals per season.

Just off the top of my head, guys like Frans Neilsen ($3.5m), Mikhail Grabovski ($5m), and Jarret Stoll ($3.25m) come to mind. Stoll is also likely about to get a raise, regardless of his extracurriculars.

I think Backlund at $4m would be a better value than any of those dudes.

[getbak]

Required Qualifying Offers...

• Mikael Backlund : $1,500,000 (one-way)
• Josh Jooris : $971,000 (one-way)
• Bryce Van Brabent : $971,000
• Drew Shore : $945,000
• Bill Arnold : $919,000
• David Wolf : $911,000
• Ben Hanowski : $894,000
• Kenny Agostino : $830,000
• Lance Bouma : $814,000 (one-way)
• Sena Acolatse : $735,000
• John Ramage : $725,000
• Paul Byron : $660,000
• Micheal Ferland : $660,000
• Max Reinhart : $660,000
• Turner Elson : $605,000

QO Requirements:

(A) if the Player's prior year's Paragraph 1 NHL Salary is less than or equal to $660,000 for that League Year, 110% of the prior year's Paragraph 1 NHL Salary.

(B) if the Player's prior year's Paragraph 1 NHL Salary is greater than $660,000, but less than $1,000,000 for that League Year, 105% of his prior year's Paragraph 1 NHL Salary, but in no event to exceed $1,000,000.

(C) if the Player's prior year's Paragraph 1 NHL Salary is equal to or greater than $1,000,000 for that League year, 100% of the prior year's Paragraph 1 NHL Salary.

One-Way requirements:

A Club's Qualifying Offer must be a One-Way Qualifying Offer if the applicable Player has: (A) actually played (excluding games missed for injury, illness or disability) 180 or more NHL Games in the previous three (3) NHL Seasons, (B) played at least sixty (60) NHL Games in the previous NHL Season, and (C) not cleared Waivers in the period between the 12th day prior to the commencement of the previous Regular Season and the end of a Club's previous Playing Season. For purposes hereof only, a goaltender is deemed to have played an NHL Game when he was dressed and on the bench as a backup. In all other cases, a Qualifying Offer may be a Two-Way Qualifying Offer.

I believe some of these guys had signing bonuses on their last contracts that may not count as part of their Paragraph 1 Salaries. The QOs might be slightly lower for those players, but without CapGeek around as a decent source, it's a PitA to figure out who had what.

[Stay Golden]

Backlund to me has been an under achiever as a 2nd line Center and 2nd unit PP minutes. 27 pts.
He got hot for 3 weeks then silence for goals until the OT goal vs ANA. Backlund was manhandled in the playoffs. Monahan was keyed in on by both Van and ANA. He fought through it. As did the other centers Colborne and Stajan both played like warriors.
With the emergence of Bennett who will surpass Backlund. I think the Flames when you look at C could make a favorable trade at the draft involving Backlund.
Monahan
Bennett
Colborne
Stajan

[T@T]

Originally Posted by Stay Golden

Backlund to me has been an under achiever as a 2nd line Center and 2nd unit PP minutes. 27 pts.
He got hot for 3 weeks then silence for goals until the OT goal vs ANA. Backlund was manhandled in the playoffs. Monahan was keyed in on by both Van and ANA. He fought through it. As did the other centers Colborne and Stajan both played like warriors.
With the emergence of Bennett who will surpass Backlund. I think the Flames when you look at C could make a favorable trade at the draft involving Backlund.
Monahan
Bennett
Colborne
Stajan

He just turned 26, hate to give up on him when he's just entering his prime, perfect 3rd line defensive center who can move up if needed.

[GettinIggyWithIt]

Originally Posted by Stay Golden

Backlund to me has been an under achiever as a 2nd line Center and 2nd unit PP minutes. 27 pts.
He got hot for 3 weeks then silence for goals until the OT goal vs ANA. Backlund was manhandled in the playoffs. Monahan was keyed in on by both Van and ANA. He fought through it. As did the other centers Colborne and Stajan both played like warriors.
With the emergence of Bennett who will surpass Backlund. I think the Flames when you look at C could make a favorable trade at the draft involving Backlund.
Monahan
Bennett
Colborne
Stajan

I thought Colborne was pretty inconsistent himself and Monahan had a lot of trouble with Anaheim. I wouldn't say any of those guys were really able to fight through it in the Anaheim series. In fact I noticed Backlund a lot more than Monahan to be honest. Bennett was probably the most noticeable actually. Right now Id prefer Backlund over Colborne and I believe Colborne played most of the playoffs on the wing. The only thing I really like about Joe's game is that he does have that ability to have those shifts where he protects the puck well and cycles down low really effectively. However he needs to be much more consistent IMO.

That said I wouldn't balk at trading backlund if he brings back good value.

[Ashasx]

Backlund was manhandled in the playoffs?