Grant and Ortio potentially UFA at season's end

[sureLoss]

Flames could lose Grant and Ortio to Group 6 UFA per the CBA:

Group 6 Free Agents.
(i) Means any Player who is age 25 or older who has completed three (3) or
more professional seasons, whose SPC has expired and: (i) in the case of a
Player other than a goaltender, has played less than 80 NHL Games, or (ii)
in the case of a goaltender, has played less than 28 NHL Games (for the
purpose of this definition, a goaltender must have played a minimum of
thirty (30) minutes in an NHL Game to register a game played). For the
purposes of the foregoing, the term professional season shall: (A) for a
Player aged 18 or 19, mean any season in which such Player plays in
eleven (11) or more Professional Games (including NHL Regular Season
and Playoff Games, minor league regular season and playoff games, and
games played in any European professional league, while under an SPC),
and (B) for a Player aged 20 or older, mean any season in which such
Player plays in one or more Professional Games (including NHL Regular
Season and Playoff Games, minor league regular season and playoff
games, and games played in any European professional league, while
under an SPC).
(ii) Any Group 6 Player shall, at the expiration of his SPC, become an
Unrestricted Free Agent and shall be completely free to negotiate and sign
an SPC with any Club, and any Club shall be completely free to negotiate
and sign an SPC with such Player, without penalty or restriction, or being
subject to any Right of First Refusal, Draft Choice Compensation or any
other compensation or equalization obligation of any kind.

This image from cap friendly:



The good news for Ortio, is that (barring injury) he will likely get the 10 remaining games he needs to avoid UFA and remain RFA.

Grant on the other hand won't.

[Samonadreau]

Ortio's fate in Calgary will depend on his play in the home stretch, if they lose him not the end of the world I guess.

Grant was one of the bright spots this season before his injury. Only thing that may complicate his re-signing is if he wants a one way deal. If it comes down to that I say give it to him.

[LIP MAN]

I feel like Grant is in our plans anyway, and Ortio will hit his games soon enough. Although I wish Grant had played enough for us to have him up, too bad he was injured.

[PeteMoss]

With Grant almost seems like they wanted to avoid having him become waiver eligible this season but its going to let him hit this UFA status - although who knows if he'd have hit the 80 games either way. Suppose its not a huge big deal.

[Iggy3x]

Originally Posted by PeteMoss

With Grant almost seems like they wanted to avoid having him become waiver eligible this season but its going to let him hit this UFA status - although who knows if he'd have hit the 80 games either way. Suppose its not a huge big deal.

Flames should be able to sign him for cheap, at this stage waiver exemption is more valuable than money. Give him a one way show me contract. He should be able to replace Jones quite easily.

[burnitdown]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

The good news for Ortio, is that (barring injury) he will likely get the 10 remaining games he needs to avoid UFA and remain RFA.

I wonder if this will impact potential moves at the trade deadline. Will we hold off acquiring our starter for next year (ex: Bernier, Howard, etc.)? If we get someone starter worthy, Ortio likely won't get 10 games in and will become UFA. Something to factor in, at least!

[smiggy77]

def need to give Grant a one year one way.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Grant may be able to get 10 games in, isn't he back in early Mar?

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

Grant may be able to get 10 games in, isn't he back in early Mar?

Grant needs 43 games to avoid becoming UFA (maybe slightly less if the 5 games he played during the lockout shortened season counts for more).

Skaters need 80 games, Goalies need 28 games where they play 30 minutes plus

[burnitdown]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

Grant may be able to get 10 games in, isn't he back in early Mar?

Non-goalies need to play 80 games so he doesn't have a chance to make that anymore based off the remaining number of games.

[Matty81]

Yeah with Hudler, Jones and Granlund gone he'll probably get 10. He just needs 1 more game right? Would just have to be back by April 9th for the season finale so lots of time.

Edit- just saw the 40+ games condition comments...

[druetetective]

I'd be interested in Michal Jordan from that list. When I watch Hurricane games he seems like a pretty good young Dman.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Well we could still re-sign Grant. I think they'd want to based on his season. So unless he hates it here I think there's a good chance we could see him back. Especially if he cements himself a spot late in the season.

[pgsieve]

Brandon Manning for me

[MarkGio]

It would suck losing Ortio based on his last few games. Goalie's have wierd development curves and something about Ortio makes me believe he'll be a good starter one day

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by MarkGio

It would suck losing Ortio based on his last few games. Goalie's have wierd development curves and something about Ortio makes me believe he'll be a good starter one day

Maybe, but the best way to assess goalies is looking at their whole progression, not here and there. A goalie with hot streaks and cold streaks that equal a balance of below average numbers isn't confidence inspiring. Scrivens is my favorite example

[Petert]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

A goalie with hot streaks and cold streaks that equal a balance of below average numbers isn't confidence inspiring.

That sounds like Kipper before he arrived in Calgary.
In Hartley we trust, please keep on rolling Hiller.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by Petert

That sounds like Kipper before he arrived in Calgary.
In Hartley we trust, please keep on rolling Hiller.

You're right. And Scrivens should be judged on his 60 save shutout of San Jose

[GreenLantern2814]

I don't think Grant or Ortio being UFA impacts our ability to bring them back. If either wants much more than league minimum, they can go. Ortio especially.