Predict the UFAs

[killer_carlson]

It wouldn't surprise me if the Flames offer 1 year deals to one of:

Stewart
Tootoo
Talbot
Bernier
Prust

I think we'll be in the discussions with Polak, Okposo and Reimer.

I think we sign Lucic.

[Erratik]

Originally Posted by killer_carlson

It wouldn't surprise me if the Flames offer 1 year deals to one of:

Stewart
Tootoo
Talbot
Bernier
Prust

I think we'll be in the discussions with Polak, Okposo and Reimer.

I think we sign Lucic.

Why would we go after Polak? I feel we have enough depth on D. Also, I seriously doubt Lucic is signing with us.

[Roof-Daddy]

Lucic has said publicly that he would take less than market value to stay in LA. The Kings are probably just waiting for Brown to get busted for something so they can toss his contract out the window and extend Lucic.

If he does make it to UFA though, I would expect the Flames would make a rather strong pitch to him for his services. He's pretty much exactly what Flames brass want to add for the top six wing spots. A big mean SOB that can produce offense.

I know some hate retreads, but I wouldn't mind the Flames bringing Chris Stewart in on a one year show me deal. If he only plays 10-12 minutes on the third or fourth line, while putting up 10g/20p that's just fine for a guy making $1-1.5 million and he also brings size and toughness.

I also wouldn't be surprised if Perron is on BT's radar. Not huge, but plays with an edge and compliments elite players nicely. Plus he's a right shot and still south of 30.

If Treliving doesn't solve the goalie issue via trade before July 1st, then I also fully expect Reimer to be a Flame that day as well.

[Wolfman]

Sign Okposo to multi year deal. I think the goalie will come via trade and not UFA.

[GoJetsGo]

Baffled by the continued intrigue by a handful of people on this board as it pertains to Chris Stewart.

He's bounced from team to team because he's a lost cause. I get that he's a big frame and if he could put it together he'd be a force but it's never going to happen. He's an inconstant floater and it's why he hasn't stuck anywhere.

He put up 8 goals and 12 assists in Anaheim this season.

It's not 2010 any more. The guy is lazy and a lost cause. Hoping one of these years his name stops popping up in the what if column.

We have an array of young guys on the farm who would be much better served with an opportunity at that spot vs. gifting it to Stewart for a pipe dream.

[Max Cow Disease]

Any chatter of someone potentially taking out a flyer on Trudeau for an enforcer-type role?

[Rick M.]

Originally Posted by Max Cow Disease

Any chatter of someone potentially taking out a flyer on Trudeau for an enforcer-type role?

Nah, every time he elbows someone he gets caught.

[kyuss275]

Flames should go after Troy Browuer. He is big and plays RW. He also has playoff experience , something the flames don't have a lot of on their squad. Wonder if he would sign a 2 year deal? Been pretty good this playoffs , so 2 years might not get it done.

[IgiTang]

Me thinks there is going to be a few teams bidding for Brouwer's services this off season.

The guy has been one of the main if not the main driving force for STL's offence this entire playoffs.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by GoJetsGo

Baffled by the continued intrigue by a handful of people on this board as it pertains to Chris Stewart.

He's bounced from team to team because he's a lost cause. I get that he's a big frame and if he could put it together he'd be a force but it's never going to happen. He's an inconstant floater and it's why he hasn't stuck anywhere.

He put up 8 goals and 12 assists in Anaheim this season.

It's not 2010 any more. The guy is lazy and a lost cause. Hoping one of these years his name stops popping up in the what if column.

We have an array of young guys on the farm who would be much better served with an opportunity at that spot vs. gifting it to Stewart for a pipe dream.

See, the problem here is although what's written is (at least by me anyways):

"I wouldn't mind having Stewart as a depth guy, 10-12 minutes a game, 10g/20p, big body, right shot, mean, $1-1.5 million"

For some reason you read it as:

"Bring him in as the top line RW, force feed him 18+ minutes per night with Johnny/Mony and expect 20-30 goals from him in a total resurgence of his career"

If you bring him in on a 1 year $1.0 million deal, and he gets beaten out of a roster spot by any number of Flames prospects we will have lost nothing. That's pretty much worst case scenario.

But anyways, like I said, many balk hard at any sort of retread, which is fine and expected.

[Funkhouser]

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

[GoJetsGo]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

See, the problem here is although what's written is (at least by me anyways):

"I wouldn't mind having Stewart as a depth guy, 10-12 minutes a game, 10g/20p, big body, right shot, mean, $1-1.5 million"

For some reason you read it as:

"Bring him in as the top line RW, force feed him 18+ minutes per night with Johnny/Mony and expect 20-30 goals from him in a total resurgence of his career"

If you bring him in on a 1 year $1.0 million deal, and he gets beaten out of a roster spot by any number of Flames prospects we will have lost nothing. That's pretty much worst case scenario.

But anyways, like I said, many balk hard at any sort of retread, which is fine and expected.

Nope, I read it as wasting a roster spot / contract on someone we know is lazy and inconsistent.

We already have guys like Raymond and Bolig who are stuck on the books that can and likely will be beat out for roster spots, we don't need to add another player who's going to do nothing but be superfluous. It's just completely unnecessary when we all know what Stewart is at this point in his career. It would be a waste of a contract.

[Money Baer]

Originally Posted by kyuss275

Flames should go after Troy Browuer. He is big and plays RW. He also has playoff experience , something the flames don't have a lot of on their squad. Wonder if he would sign a 2 year deal? Been pretty good this playoffs , so 2 years might not get it done.

He put up (practically) 40pts playing 2nd and 3rd line minutes. I could see him hitting 50 on our top line while providing a RHS, size, nastiness, and protection.

I'd do a 4x4 deal if we're able to move out a bad contract.

[1qqaaz]

Satiar Shah
‏@SatiarShah
.@botchford says the Canucks may prefer Russell over Hamhuis. Scary thought. Much rather extend Hamhuis than chase Russell.

Good for Russell, already getting some attention in the upcoming free agency. I wonder what kind of money he'll be looking for.

[spuzzum]

Originally Posted by 1qqaaz

Satiar Shah
‏@SatiarShah
.@botchford says the Canucks may prefer Russell over Hamhuis. Scary thought. Much rather extend Hamhuis than chase Russell.

Good for Russell, already getting some attention in the upcoming free agency. I wonder what kind of money he'll be looking for.

Like many of us in real life, salary and location will be the two driving factors. As much as we dislike the Canucks, Vancouver is a pretty good city to live in - outside of the crazy real estate market. $4.25 to $5.5 million per season for 4 or 5 seasons is my guess. 5 years $25 million. At age 29, he's in his prime for defensemen.

[Fire of the Phoenix]

It's going to awesome when the Canucks give Russell 5m+ for 5+ years

[1qqaaz]

Elliotte Friedman ‏@FriedgeHNIC 46m46 minutes ago
There is word of a snag in Vadim Shipachyov's status. He may have to fulfill another year in Russia before coming to the NHL.
Elliotte Friedman ‏@FriedgeHNIC 46m46 minutes ago
Apparently, this came up yesterday and involves an option in his KHL contract

The Canadiens were the frontrunner, and an announcement could have been made today. But it looks like they might have to wait.

Shipachev/Shipachyov had 60 points in 54 games (KHL) this year. Maybe the Flames still have a bit of a chance with this guy. Although he's not exactly what we're looking for.

[Fire of the Phoenix]

Isn't this guy like 30 years old? Is he an extremely late bloomer or did he just not want to come over because he's good enough to be a top line guy in the KHL but would be a depth player in the NHL? I refuse to believe scouts all over the league would miss a guy for 10 years.

[1qqaaz]

Originally Posted by Fire of the Phoenix

Isn't this guy like 30 years old? Is he an extremely late bloomer or did he just not want to come over because he's good enough to be a top line guy in the KHL but would be a depth player in the NHL? I refuse to believe scouts all over the league would miss a guy for 10 years.

Just his last 2 seasons were very impressive. I'm not sure if he is an extremely late bloomer or not.

The NHL interest does seem a little late though. There should have at least been some last year. I do think this is a skilled player that is more useful in a top 6 role. So if he can't make someone's top 6, there's no reason to have him in the NHL.

[Poe969]

I didn't want to start a new thread about this so I put it in here. I'm sitting here looking at the (currently) available UFA's and instead of predicting where they'll go I'm making a wish list.

Who are your top 5 UFA's you'd like to see the Flames sign?

1. Lucic LW
2. Perron RW
3. Okposo RW
4. Backes C/RW
5. Reimer G

I'd prefer one of Lucic OR Okposo but I think Perron would be a good fit on the team. It was a toss up between Backes and McGinn but I think Backes offers more.