[Signing] Flames sign Jankowski to two yr ELC starting in 16/17. Will report to Stockton on ATO

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by JJolg

I agree he needs seasoning and it's what's best for his development but there are a handful of players including him that could replace what stajan brings to the ice.

Originally Posted by AcGold

Yeah Stajan really isn't much better. Experience and leadership only goes so far when you're completely invisible for an entire season. Stajan has 14 points, Jankowski could beat that next season imo.

Yes, Stajan is replaceable. And he will be eventually. But there is no need to rush Jankowski to do it.

Stajan would be very difficult to move. And they are going to need him in order to hit the 25% minimum for the expansion draft.

Sometimes we have to be patient. And next year isn't the Flames year anyway.

[Bandwagon In Flames]

Not sure that Stajan gets moved. Half the reason he got that sweetheart contract was because the Flames are a classy organization and his family was going through a very tough time. They'll probably let him stay because of this as well. Which honestly isn't so terrible unless your name is Derek Grant.

[Fire]

Originally Posted by Bandwagon In Flames

Not sure that Stajan gets moved. Half the reason he got that sweetheart contract was because the Flames are a classy organization and his family was going through a very tough time. They'll probably let him stay because of this as well. Which honestly isn't so terrible unless your name is Derek Grant.

Didn't Stajan get that contract from Burke before they lost the child? I think it was just a case of Burke overvaluing Stajan.

[Roof-Daddy]

Stajan was extended January 20th 2014.

4 year deal was definitely a mistake.

[dieHARDflameZ]

Stajan is expendable no doubt, but he's not even close to the top of the list when it comes to organizational issues.

[JJolg]

We are one of the worst teams in the league so its clear there is a list of issues. But paying a player 3 millions to play on the 4th but does not bring 4th line qualities is right up there. Especially when we are going to be tight on cap room. As a person he is loved but like Raymond he should be replaced by a player ready to cut his teeth in the NHL. If were going to pay a 4th line centre over 2 million he better be strong in the dot.

[Enoch Root]

Stajan isn't in the top 10 of problems/issues for the Flames right now

[Yoho]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Stajan isn't in the top 10 of problems/issues for the Flames right now

Your right but trying to deal with the top 10 problems are effected by players like Stajan and their salaries.

[Aarongavey]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Stajan isn't in the top 10 of problems/issues for the Flames right now

Where would you rank paying a 14 point a year center who is below mediocre on the dot and has no physical presence more than 3 million dollars a year?

[dieHARDflameZ]

There is no doubt, 4th line centres should not be making 3.5-4 mill per season. I completely agree with that.

[Fire of the Phoenix]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Stajan isn't in the top 10 of problems/issues for the Flames right now

Agreed, and as you've pointed out, he's actually more of an asset with expansion looming. Without that, he probably gets bought out at the end of next season IMO.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Stajan isn't in the top 10 of problems/issues for the Flames right now

Actually I think he is the biggest problem with the current Flames but he is not alone. I feel the horrible money that makes it extremely difficult to improve the roster over the summer is the worst short term problem that affects the team. So no Stajan is not alone but he is certainly part of the group that includes himself, Wideman, Smid, Engellend, Raymond, Bollig.

With Monahan and Gaudreau getting the big contracts and the need for a new goalie there is not a lot of money left to add a top line RW, another top 6 winger, and #4 Dman

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

The Stajan deal was a mistake, so I'm not for one second suggesting that it wouldn't be nice not to gave that on the books.

That said, the comments about it not being a huge issue for the Flames is 100% correct. I guess if we didn't have that contract we could maybe improve our team a little on the wing for example, but only if you were able to find a good winger willing to take a one or two year contract max. And usually, the players we would need to help make the team better wouldn't be available for those terms, and if they were, they still wouldn't be the long term solution to our problems. As some one else said, we need patience.

The reason being, if you look at the Flames right now, we actually don't have too much salary committed to centre. That's obviously because our best centres are on their entry level contracts, but it's still true. Even when Mony gets paid this year, we will still be fine. Mony will be making #1 money, Backs making reasonable dough at #3, Stajan overpaid at #4, but Bennett underpaid for a number 2. Stajans money isn't really available because it will need to go to Bennett anyways, so it's not really free to distribute elsewhere because it's needed at the centre position.

The Flames biggest issue is we have too much money committed to our bottom 4 D men with Wideman, Engelland, and Smid. Luckily it all goes away after this year. Centre isn't the same deal, we don't have too much money committed there, even if we don't love they way it's distributed now.

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by Bandwagon In Flames

I guess this is your first time watching Stockton highlights then.

Haha, yeah this is the built in added bonus to Kisker's awesomeness. Everytime someone expresses something about his PBP you know they have never even taken time to watch the highlights and it makes their opinion when it comes to prospects much less relevant.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by Aarongavey

Where would you rank paying a 14 point a year center who is below mediocre on the dot and has no physical presence more than 3 million dollars a year?

Top 10 problems

1. Lack of a true #1 goalie
2. Wideman's contract
3. Lack of top 6 wingers
4. Special teams
5. Raymond's contract
6. Smid's contract
7. Stajan's contract

Guess it's about 7th for me. Definitely not a pressing issue, every team can afford one mediocre midrange contract.

[AcGold]

The reason why it's a big issue is several small issues make one really large issue. Raymond, Bollig, Wideman and Stajan are a 10 million dollar problem and by the time expansion happens they'll be gone so... we're essentially throwing away 10 mill/season on players that are liabilities.

So don't even move them if it's going to be too hard, let them be replaced by merit. Which of Stajan, Wideman, Raymond or Bollig are one ways? Jankowski with no NHL experience > invisible Stajan at this point. I like Stajan, just not on the Flames roster anymore. Let him play in Stockton if possible.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Stajan isn't in the top 10 of problems/issues for the Flames right now

No, but Stajan's contract is. You can't pay a 4th liner $3M+ and think it isn't going to hurt the team in trying to be competitive. Every dollar matters and you can't unnecessarily spend money on players that don't make a difference. Matt Stajan, while a likeable fellow and a decent enough player, doesn't make a difference for the Calgary Flames.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

Top 10 problems

1. Lack of a true #1 goalie
2. Wideman's contract
3. Lack of top 6 wingers
4. Special teams
5. Raymond's contract
6. Smid's contract
7. Stajan's contract

Guess it's about 7th for me. Definitely not a pressing issue, every team can afford one mediocre midrange contract.

Honestly, if Treliving plays his cards right and the Flames have a couple of their forwards develop into top six forwards (2016 1st, Shinkaruk, Jankowski, Poirier, etc) this team is really positioned well for the 2017/18 season. Like ridiculously well, because all of these problems should be fixed by then, and Stajan's contract should be the only one left.

Like I said, IF Treliving plays his cards right. Gotta find a decent goalie, and sign/trade for one solid top six winger.

[PepsiFree]

If Stajan is making <2mil, he's no problem at all. It's the 1-2 million extra he's being paid that should be going to either securing a top player or adding another capable 3/4 liner.

You just can't pay bottom guys that much. It's a huge problem IMO.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by New Era

No, but Stajan's contract is. You can't pay a 4th liner $3M+ and think it isn't going to hurt the team in trying to be competitive. Every dollar matters and you can't unnecessarily spend money on players that don't make a difference. Matt Stajan, while a likeable fellow and a decent enough player, doesn't make a difference for the Calgary Flames.

But it isn't hurting the team to be competitive, unless you'd bring in another centre instead of Stajan. So you have to ask yourself. Are you happy with Bennett and Mony being pegged as our #1 and #2. IF yes, then Stajan's contract becomes irrelevant given it expires as Bennett will need a raise.

Even if you could get rid of Stajan, you wouldn't do so and bring in another centre. So then you are left with using his money on a player for 2 years or less. Any player signing a UFA deal at 2 years or less isn't a player we are looking for, that's another Raymond type flyer (and if it works out, the money isn't there to remind-sign after). You could argue that maybe you could get a player via trade, but the same issue exists when the contract expires, and I don't think the Flames have the assets that we'd be willing to part with to acquire such a player.

The whole point is, anyone complaining about the Flames cap space has lost the plot on this rebuild and gotten impatient. The Flames aren't trying to be peaking next year or the year after, nor should they be. Very easy to look at our place in the standings, and get uncomfortable that a basement dweller is pushing the cap. But that ignores the expiry dates of our bad contracts, when our new young core is going to peak, and the fact that even if we had that cap space that there likely wouldn't be any assets to use it on because we need the money to be used wisely down the road as the players we are building around come if their entry level deals.

There is no cap issue with the Flames, just a patience issue with the fan base as to when this team is truly being built to be a contender. I'd love it to be next year too, but that's simply realistic based on the age of our key players.