Predict the UFAs

[FBI]

Here is the list:
http://www.nhlfreeagents.com/#!2016-free-agents/c1f3

Where do you think some of these guys will end up and for how much?

I'll say Hudler back in Calgary for $2m for 2 years.
Russell in Edmonton for $4m for 3 years.
David Jones gets Glencross'ed..

[Ashasx]

I don't think the Flames want Hudler back in Calgary, even at a bargain price.

[theslymonkey]

That list is weak. Boedker, Okposo are the lone bright spots. The rest of that list is full of declining assets.

[Vinny01]

I could maybe see Hudler back if it is a Tanguay/Jokinen style deal where he strikes out elsewhere and comes back here because he is cheap, comfortable, and wants to bounce back and get paid. So a 1 year deal for $2M wouldn't shock me.

I think Russell goes to Vancouver. He is Willie's golden child ex-tiger and Vancouver has a need for a top 4 Dman. I think he gets around 4-5 years 4.5-5M per

[Huntingwhale]

I don't want Hudler back, even for league minimum. The Flames need an upgrade upfront in size and speed. Hudler is the opposite.

[theslymonkey]

Originally Posted by Huntingwhale

I don't want Hudler back, even for league minimum. The Flames need an upgrade upfront in size and speed. Hudler is the opposite.

And he's lazy. I have never seen a guy get knocked down so often, and then not fight back. Johnny gets knocked around and he bounces back up and steals the puck back. I want guys with drive and fight, and sure size and speed would also be nice.

[Parallex]

Eric Staal - Carolina
Steven Stamkos - Toronto
Brian Campbell - Detroit
Milan Lucic - Los Angeles
Patrik Elias - Retires
Keith Yandle - Arizona
Radim Vrbata - San Jose
James Reimer - Calgary
Nikita Nikitin - KHL
Teddy Purcell - Florida
Dan Hamhuis - Dallas
Kris Versteeg - NYI
Loui Eriksson - New Jersey
David Jones - KHL
Jiri Hudler - Florida
Kyle Okposo - Boston
Frans Nielsen - NYI
Kris Russell - Vancouver

For some reason I'm having trouble placing Ladd and Backes.

[bax]

Originally Posted by Parallex

Eric Staal - Carolina
Steven Stamkos - Toronto
Brian Campbell -Detroit
Milan Lucic - Los Angeles
Patrik Elias- Retires
Keith Yandle - Arizona
Radim Vrbata - San Jose
James Reimer - Calgary
Nikita Nikitin - KHL
Teddy Purcell - Florida
Dan Hamhuis - Dallas
Kris Versteeg - NYI
Loui Eriksson - Europe
David Jones - KHL
Jiri Hudler - Florida
Kyle Okposo - Boston
Frans Nielsen - NYI
Kris Russell - Vancouver

For some reason I'm having trouble placing Ladd and Backes.

Loui Eriksson isn't going to play in Europe next year.

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by bax

Loui Eriksson isn't going to play in Europe next year.

#Hottake?

... or more accurately, that was a typo. I meant to put Europe on Jones and didn't notice until now that I forgot to remove it from Eriksson after changing Jones to KHL.

[TheScorpion]

I see three options for Jones:

1) 1-year, 1-way deal at league minimum
2) 1-year, 2-way deal
3) multi-year KHL deal

[1qqaaz]

Originally Posted by theslymonkey

That list is weak. Boedker, Okposo are the lone bright spots. The rest of that list is full of declining assets.

This is the strongest and deepest free agency I've seen in awhile. There's no Parise or Suter, but there's a lot of quality players.

[TheScorpion]

From that list, I see these players as Flames in 2016-17:

Kyle Okposo
Jiri Hudler

I don't see us getting Reimer. We'll either get Bishop or Fleury.

[JJ1532]

Originally Posted by Huntingwhale

I don't want Hudler back, even for league minimum. The Flames need an upgrade upfront in size and speed. Hudler is the opposite.

Who plays on that top line alongside Monahan and Gaudreau next season? Hudler at a cheap short term deal would make sense whilst we find a long term fit imo.

[Toonage]

What about Troy Brouwer? Good vet to play alongside Gaudreau & Monahan?

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by JJ1532

Who plays on that top line alongside Monahan and Gaudreau next season?

I think the Flames should try to trade for Kevin Hayes to fill that spot.

[TheScorpion]

Originally Posted by Parallex

I think the Flames should try to trade for Kevin Hayes to fill that spot.

Agree. Only just turned 24 and had a pretty good year last year.

[D as in David]

Nakladal = Calgary

[theslymonkey]

Originally Posted by 1qqaaz

This is the strongest and deepest free agency I've seen in awhile. There's no Parise or Suter, but there's a lot of quality players.

Can't say I would agree. There are a lot of players that used to be great. But unless you are signing them to 2 year deal, which wont happen, they are all players that are fading quickly.

Players like Staal, Ladd, Backes, Lucic, Yandle, Doan, Vrbata, and Hudler are all fading and are looking for a payday that will hurt a team. I just don't see a team like the Flames wanting any of them at the expense of the youth they can bring up from the Heat.

Boedker, Okposo, and to a lesser extent Eriksson have value, but I don't think the Flames could land any of them. The guy that I missed that was mentioned already is Hayes. He would be a great move if they can somehow swing a deal with the Rangers.

Depth, sure. But not value. The Flames don't need 30+ vets right now. The Frolik signing is the type of deal they'll chase in my opinion.

[Fire of the Phoenix]

Originally Posted by Parallex

I think the Flames should try to trade for Kevin Hayes to fill that spot.

Him or Kreider. Cap issues, bad contracts and NMCs will likely cost the Rangers one of these two players. Hopefully BT is ready to strike should the opportunity arise, they are both just what this team needs.

[dammage79]

I'd rather Kreider than Hayes. And Boedker over a few other wingers if the price is right.