Conroy on 960 talking deadline and moving the 1st round pick

[Superfraggle]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814

They could've brought Phaneuf up if they'd been able to get him under contract.

Pre-2004, rookie contracts weren't boilerplate the way they are now. I believe Phaneuf's actual rookie deal paid him north of $2M a season in straight salary (he signed it like the day before the lockout officially started, from what I remember).

I recall Darryl saying something in an interview that 'you don't just hand a player a contract and he signs, that's not how it works'.

According to CapFriendly, his rookie deal was over $2M total over 3 years, but under $1M in any individual year., with an AAV of $785k

[djsFlames]

They could totally snag Kronwall without mortgaging the future. Would be a solid add on the back end that brings experience and reliability.

I don't think you disrupt the chemistry by adding to the 3rd pairing.

[GullFoss]

Obi-Wan Conrobi: these aren't the drones you're looking for

[shadowlord]

Originally Posted by David Struch

I've always wondered about this... could Dion have scored that one goal we needed to take game 6 and the Cup.

You must be confused. Even without Phaneuf we scored enough goals in game 6 to win the Cup... because it was in.

[The Boy Wonder]

I hope they make some depth adds.

WE need to have some more muscle in the bottom 6 come playoff time. Having small guys who can wheel is great in the regular season just like Tampa bay but come playoffs you need more bite. Hathaway is fine, Janko is fine but Czarnik, Ryan, Mangipanne, and to an extent Dube, are all IMO serious risks to disappear in the playoffs when things get more physical

I don't want to screw with chemistry, the flames need someone who is a valid threat to actually hurt the other team physically because you know the first thing the team we are playing does is go out and just start hacking and slashing at Johnny's wrists and unless you want Bennett, Hamonic and Gio being the aggressors and deterrents (which you really don't)

I'd love to add someone like a patrick maroon, or wayne simmonds (if the price drops). Someone who will just skate by the other teams bench before the start of the series and challenge the bench to a scrap / tell them in no uncertain terms that if they injure johnny they will not be eating solid food for at least half the offseason.

[8sPOT]

In my opinion having Stone and Valimaki coming back at some point shows the depth we already have on D. That's getting 2 bottom pairing guys back, that are both very capable NHLers.

Like many, I think that 4th line could use something though. But nothing that costs more than a mid level prospect or pick.

No need to do much else at all. And I think its important to not trade away players that have contributed to this seasons success. Move only prospects, picks, or seldom used players.

[Split98]

Was all of this preparing us for Dion coming over to bolster the D?

[Split98]

Originally Posted by tkflames

I've been thinking about the upgrade on Smith and I think it's actually a really tough trade. The obvious longer term choices like Saros are simply not available at a reasonable cost. Smith's character and experience I am sure would have a chemistry impact. Much like Holtby last year, I also think the Flames probably think that Smith has another gear before his journey into the sunset.



If you:

1. Cannot acquire a long term upgrade

2. Dont feel that the risk of trading Smith for a Talbot, McElhinney etc is a substantial enough upgrade to not risk the chemistry

3. Dont want to risk a 3 headed goalie monster which this team is familiar with...



Then your only remaining option is to trade for a top end or experienced goalie in the AHL that is already waiver cleared. Not a lot of good options come to mind on that front...

I'd imagine this is what they do if they can acquire a backup to reliably give Rittich nights off, and Smith is a good soldier about it

This time around, it's a 3-goalie situation on paper only. If Smith is capable of coming to terms with his new reality mid-season then maybe he and his salary can ride out the year as a coach/cheerleader. The alternative is waivers, as any trade involving him will cost us

[TheIronMaiden]

Hearing that the 1st is probably not going to be moved makes me happy.

From a fan perspective it will be nice to follow the draft, from a futures perspective it keeps talent moving in, from a win now perspective the Flames are already winning.

[Fire]

When Conroy said they tried to sign Phaneuf he didn't mention why they couldn't. Was it because the NHL wasn't going to allow it because he was in Junior or was it because they couldn't come to an agreement on a new deal?

[Psytic]

Originally Posted by tkflames

I've been thinking about the upgrade on Smith and I think it's actually a really tough trade. The obvious longer term choices like Saros are simply not available at a reasonable cost. Smith's character and experience I am sure would have a chemistry impact. Much like Holtby last year, I also think the Flames probably think that Smith has another gear before his journey into the sunset.

If you:
1. Cannot acquire a long term upgrade
2. Dont feel that the risk of trading Smith for a Talbot, McElhinney etc is a substantial enough upgrade to not risk the chemistry
3. Dont want to risk a 3 headed goalie monster which this team is familiar with...

Then your only remaining option is to trade for a top end or experienced goalie in the AHL that is already waiver cleared. Not a lot of good options come to mind on that front...

If Rittich gets injured or something else happens people will lose their minds if all we have is Smith carrying us so it is tricky.

[Itse]

Can't be sure of course, but I think replacing Smith might be what they're thinking when talking chemistry. He seems like a big character and popular. I think he might be our "win it for the old guy".

Plus it's not the worst situation for Rittich, having a familiar, very experienced goalie who's the unquestionable backup.

[TheIronMaiden]

Originally Posted by Itse

Can't be sure of course, but I think replacing Smith might be what they're thinking when talking chemistry. He seems like a big character and popular. I think he might be our "win it for the old guy".

Plus it's not the worst situation for Rittich, having a familiar, very experienced goalie who's the unquestionable backup.

This is an interesting observation. I never really though of this.

[the-rasta-masta]

I agree that it's unwise to mortgage any of the future to make a big splash, but I definitely wouldn't mind a few depth ads, probably to the bottom six. I think we have a window that has just opened with our young core and some good contracts heading into the next few years. The only thing that makes me think this year might be our best chance is the fact that it's hard to expect Gio to have a year like he is into the future for too much longer. The rest of the team will be here, but having the Norris contending captain of the team continuing to play at this level is far from certain.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by Itse

Can't be sure of course, but I think replacing Smith might be what they're thinking when talking chemistry. He seems like a big character and popular. I think he might be our "win it for the old guy".

Plus it's not the worst situation for Rittich, having a familiar, very experienced goalie who's the unquestionable backup.

Rittich and Smith are quite close and BSD leans heavily on Smith for advice etc.

It's a big part of the chemistry thing that BT doesn't want to upset to much.

[Geeoff]

Perfectly happy if the Flames stay put.

TBH what the team needs most is prospects, since that cupboard is not that full.