[Signing] Flames sign college UFA defensemen Connor Mackey and Colton Poolman to 1-yr ELCs

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by AC

Free lottery ticket.

Most won't turn into anything but it costs zero assets other than the contract.

Garnet Hathaway was a nice find, Luke Philp still shows a lot of promise too.
I've heard from a family member that played in the WHL against him that he thinks Philp will be a player in the NHL.

Most won't become NHLers but Tyler Bozak, Danny DeKeyser, Torey Krug, Brandon and Chris Tanev, etc. prove it's worth the pursuit.

+1

free signings is found money and the easiest way to supplement your entire organization.

getting a good minor league player for free is very valuable

[Cobra]

Or we could keep our 2nd and 3rd round picks and build that way.
Maybe draft a Canadian boy or two with some size.

We definitely have the Management that is capable of getting 3rd and 4th line players and 3rd line pairing DEF.

I am sure the Cup is right around the corner.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Cobra

Or we could keep our 2nd and 3rd round picks and build that way.
Maybe draft a Canadian boy or two with some size.

We definitely have the Management that is capable of getting 3rd and 4th line players and 3rd line pairing DEF.

I am sure the Cup is right around the corner.

So you're against the free asset then?

Am I reading that right?

Draft picks have low percentage turn out too ... this is like adding two third or fourth rounders and see where it goes.

How can anyone find a problem with that?

[TheScorpion]

Originally Posted by Cobra

Or

And there, with just one teeny word, is the end of your argument.

I completely agree with you that the Flames should be using the draft to build a prospect pool. But why do you believe that should be their only approach?

There is no "or." It's "and."

[AC]

Originally Posted by Cobra

Or we could keep our 2nd and 3rd round picks and build that way.
Maybe draft a Canadian boy or two with some size.

Funny enough, it was this mentality that destroyed the Flames farm system for a long time.

Kris Chucko, Matt Pelech, Greg Nemisz, Joey Leach, Keegan Kanzig, Hunter Smith. All good Canadian boys with size!

SureLoss put it perfectly in the first thread:

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Guys like these you don't get overly excited about. They are just another chance to get a NHLer.

If you happen to hit and get a replacement player or better then that is great. If you get a Hathaway type, you are laughing. If not, no big deal, you didn't give up a pick, prospect, or roster player for him.

Guys like these allow the organization to pick boom/bust prospects with their late round picks instead of the solid gritty guys with little upside.

Why scoff at free assets? Mackey was TSN's #1 available college player, you're allowed to get a little excited I think. Not everything with this franchise has to be doom and gloom. How can that mentality be worth it as a fan?

[TheScorpion]

That's a great point AC. These sorts of depth-type guys are exactly the sorts of players you should be trying to nab without having to sacrifice a draft pick. Skill is far more prestigious than grit.

[Cobra]

Just get sick of hearing how all these College FA signings the Flames make are going to make the big league club better.
They were not drafted for a reason and will be of marginal help at best.
It is a young league now and signing older College guys who after a few years in the minors will be too old to make it anyways.

If you want assets then why do you keep Hamonic, Brodie and trade for FA Forbot and Gustafsson.

We all saw the team play this year and you think we had a chance.
Fact is we have been terrible since the 2004 Cup run and it needs to stop.

[TheScorpion]

Nobody's saying they're going to be the solution to the team's problems. You're right, the Flames haven't been great over the last 15 years but I don't see how signing Connor Mackey and Colton Poolman is emblematic of that problem. Maybe signing Troy Brouwer and James Neal.

But look at the Flames' roster right now. So many key players went undrafted, guys who make this iteration of the team tick.

Mark Giordano - Norris winner, heart and soul of the team, last player to ever wear #5 in franchise history
Derek Ryan - might be the best third-line centre in the entire NHL
David Rittich - a very solid #1 goalie, probably the best the team has had since Kiprusoff
Cam Talbot - another extremely solid goalie who, when dialled in, is one of the best backups in the league

Are these guys marginal contributors at best?

[midniteowl]

Speaking of sick and tired, well I'm sick and tired as well, but not on Flames signing free assets. I'm sick and tired about people complaining whatever the Flames do, I mean, WHATEVER. The team signed 2 defensemen? "It's a waste!!!" A waste of what, may I ask. It's just tiresome.



ps...sorry everyone, I think I'm developing cabin fever. I need to go for a walk around my block.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by Cobra

Or we could keep our 2nd and 3rd round picks and build that way.
Maybe draft a Canadian boy or two with some size.

We definitely have the Management that is capable of getting 3rd and 4th line players and 3rd line pairing DEF.

I am sure the Cup is right around the corner.

Like Hunter Smith? Pretty much the definition of a Canadian boy with size.

Brandon Hickey? Canadian boy with size.

Mason McDonald? Canadian boy with size.


Mackey and Poolman were draft eligible in 2014. Not only did the Flames keep their own 2nd and 3rd round picks that year, they also added another 2nd rounder. With those three picks, they got McDonald, Smith, and Hickey.

Hickey's the only one who might see NHL action some day.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by Cobra

Just get sick of hearing how all these College FA signings the Flames make are going to make the big league club better.
They were not drafted for a reason and will be of marginal help at best.
It is a young league now and signing older College guys who after a few years in the minors will be too old to make it anyways.

If you want assets then why do you keep Hamonic, Brodie and trade for FA Forbot and Gustafsson.

We all saw the team play this year and you think we had a chance.
Fact is we have been terrible since the 2004 Cup run and it needs to stop.

It's just one way you can improve your organization.
To be really clear - would you rather the Flames NOT use this tactic?
No one is claiming it solves anything.
So what is your specific objection to THIS, as opposed to a general airing of grievances?

[Cobra]

Good point....apparently just airing grievances.

[FlatLandFlamesFan]

Originally Posted by Cobra

Fact is we have been terrible since the 2004 Cup run and it needs to stop.

Uh what ? sure the playoffs didn't go as planned but if I remember correct last year we were very good.

[SeanCharles]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

It's just one way you can improve your organization.
To be really clear - would you rather the Flames NOT use this tactic?
No one is claiming it solves anything.
So what is your specific objection to THIS, as opposed to a general airing of grievances?

I think it solves our lack of defensive depth in the AHL.

Valiev and Nielsen have already shown the organization what they are all about and I’m guessing the Flames are ready to move on to new guys to get a look at. Both guys looked to be further down the lineup than guys on AHL contacts so I think the book is out on them.

May as well bring in some new blood for free.

Anyone who complains about free depth that is still young is crazy.

I do agree that these signings don’t solve anything on the big club though.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by Cobra

Good point....apparently just airing grievances.

In that case at least wait until it is Festivus!

[jessnuts]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

In that case at least wait until it is Festivus!

If not for you, then for the rest of us

[Moneyhands23]

Sure is taking BT a long time to sign Chaffee.

[Cobra]

Originally Posted by FlatLandFlamesFan

Uh what ? sure the playoffs didn't go as planned but if I remember correct last year we were very good.

Great in fact we won one playoff game.

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by Moneyhands23

Sure is taking BT a long time to sign Chaffee.

Wild announced they have signed Chaffee

[Moneyhands23]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Wild announced they have signed Chaffee

And my cornflakes have officially been shat in. Lol