[Rumour] Flames have reached out to UFA Matt Martin

[Vinny01]

Do not want. Our bottom 6 is fine we need more top 6 guys

[ResAlien]

It's an arms race now and regardless of what you think of Lucic being an Oiler he gives them more size and makes them tougher to play against. Our D corps isn't exactly towering and physical so we'll need players that know how to use their size properly in the bottom six. Would love Martin here.

[N-E-B]

I would love Martin. I think our bottom 6 is a joke. He would really help us there.

[hockey.modern]

Matt Martin > Brandon Bollig

[Mister Yamoto]

I've been a Matt Martin fan for years. The problem here is that there isn't going to be a "reasonable price". There are enough teams interested that this will be a July 1st signing. How often on July 1st do you think to yourself, wow that's a reasonable price for that player?

This is a role player that everyone wants. Think Brandon Prust a few years ago. I don't want the Flames getting into a bidding war for a fourth liner. Find a 23 year old version of Matt Martin. Maybe they already have one in Hathaway.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by N-E-B

I would love Martin. I think our bottom 6 is a joke. He would really help us there.

Let's add another $2.5M to the garbage we have already. Stajan at $3.3, Bouma at 2.2, Bollig at $1.25, Raymond at $3.15.

In fact if Bennett and Tkachuk can form a second line Backlind and Frolik with their combined $8M will be in the bottom 6.

Who is supposed to play with our top 4 young forwards?

[mrdonkey]

Originally Posted by N-E-B

I would love Martin. I think our bottom 6 is a joke. He would really help us there.

Our bottom 6 is a mess but the bottom half of the roster is bloated enough as it is. Signing a replaceable plug like Martin to a UFA contract will only exacerbate the existing problem.

[Red Menace]

No thanks

[Finger Cookin]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

Let's add another $2.5M to the garbage we have already. Stajan at $3.3, Bouma at 2.2, Bollig at $1.25, Raymond at $3.15.

In fact if Bennett and Tkachuk can form a second line Backlind and Frolik with their combined $8M will be in the bottom 6.

Who is supposed to play with our top 4 young forwards?

Maybe adding a guy like Martin makes some of the "garbage" expendable. I personally am not going to instantly dismiss upgrading any part of the roster, whether it's top 6, bottom 6, blueline, or in the crease.

[Fire of the Phoenix]

Originally Posted by hockey.modern

Matt Martin > Brandon Bollig

Insert any NHL player's name here.

[VladtheImpaler]

Originally Posted by Mister Yamoto

I've been a Matt Martin fan for years. The problem here is that there isn't going to be a "reasonable price". There are enough teams interested that this will be a July 1st signing. How often on July 1st do you think to yourself, wow that's a reasonable price for that player?

This is a role player that everyone wants. Think Brandon Prust a few years ago. I don't want the Flames getting into a bidding war for a fourth liner. Find a 23 year old version of Matt Martin. Maybe they already have one in Hathaway.

Exactly. This is going to sound cold, but by the time these guys reach UFA status, it's time to throw them away and move on. Use them up while they are young and then bring in the next contender; don't pay for the guy somebody else already used up. There is going to be no shortage of semi-talented guys willing to go through the proverbial wall for an NHL gig...

[Heavy Jack]

Matt Martin would be a fantastic add for this team and would be a great guy to help guide Ferland. That 4th line for NYI has been unrelenting the last three years.

Gaudreau - Monahan - Tkachuk
Shinkurak - Bennett - Chaisson
Colborne - Backlund - Frolik
Martin - Stajan/Bouma - Ferland

Extras
Bollig
Raymond
Stajan/Bouma

I think he helps round out the bottom 6 quite nicely, solid player.

[Red Menace]

signing 4th line UFAs is always a mistake.
Their best years are gone and they will almost always get over paid.

[Southside]

I like Martin. For those worried about an arms race with Edmonton. They still have no D and we only play them 4 times this season.

[StrykerSteve]

Calgary can't keep adding players without subtracting some significant salary. Something's gotta give.

If they can remove a few pieces in the process, I'd be thrilled with the addition of Martin. But there's no way you add him without subtracting 1-2 players first.

[Racki]

If we can fit him in and still sign the guys we want to sign (Gaudreau, Monahan) then do it. We have a ton of money coming off he books next year. People need to settle down about these kinds of moves. Treliving is not an idiot. He knows that we have a lot of bottom six types. You know what? It is possible to trade or not re-sign them.

[Caged Great]

Martin is one of my favourite players in the NHL, so if they signed him, I'd be pleased. Definitely fits the black and blue mantra the Flames are wanting to establish.

Wouldn't want him for more than Bouma though.

[Toonage]

Originally Posted by Racki

If we can fit him in and still sign the guys we want to sign (Gaudreau, Monahan) then do it. We have a ton of money coming off he books next year. People need to settle down about these kinds of moves. Treliving is not an idiot. He knows that we have a lot of bottom six types. You know what? It is possible to trade or not re-sign them.

When you factor in the raises for Gaudreau & Monahan this year, the raise for Bennett next year and a potential goalie extension or signing, no we really don't have a lot of money coming off the books next year. Its almost a wash.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by Finger Cookin

Maybe adding a guy like Martin makes some of the "garbage" expendable. I personally am not going to instantly dismiss upgrading any part of the roster, whether it's top 6, bottom 6, blueline, or in the crease.

I think the garbage would be moved if possible. The team is in a cap crunch without a top line RW and questionable wingers on the 2nd line. Rather not spend the money on a 4th liner that won't come cheap.

Ferland-Martin-Chiasson is a nice looking line but right now we have our top lines being carried by guys coming off ELC's and others on ElLC's

[gvitaly]

First of all, I think its great the Flames are showing interest. No one here is saying get him at all costs, but he definitely fills a need for the Flames. To be honest the Flames' bottom six last year were hitting but not doing much damage with it. I think the physical play Martin brings would really help our skill players on the following shift. The opposing D-men would be more tired/banged-up and more prone to make mistakes in the following shifts. The energy itself is infectious and sometimes it is exactly what you need to swing the momentum. I think a player like Martin is also a much higher deterrent to other teams taking liberties with Johnny, than someone who fights like Bollig.

Martin is the league leader in hits, and there were many heavy hits among them. So far we have Ferland(when he is on his game), and Hathaway(very small sample size) that can play that game. I don't count Bennett, Shinkaruk, and Tkachuk even though they have shown that element in their game because they are still young and haven't filled out enough to use it as effectively. Bottom line: I think that Martin would have the McGrattan effect and have everyone on the team play a couple of inches taller, so I would love to have him on this team.