[Signing] Flames sign Erik Gudbranson (1 yr, $1.95 mil)

[really?]

The idea that rookies should have to earn a spot on a roster is healthy for an organization, and goes a way towards managing an environment of entitlement that can set in when players don't truly experience adversity. This signing assures that a spot will not be handed to a player like Mackey, and that should be a good thing. The issue is this, in determining whether a rookie has ousted a veteran, is an equal eye applied to each player in the performance evaluation? If dispensation is afforded to veteran status, then you have an issue with entitlement. If the eye of the beholder is truly neutral, no problem, but the last time I recall a scenario like this with Darryl Sutter and the Flames, Mark Giordano was playing in Russia. There were other issues at that time (financial), but clearly the player who took Giordano's spot (Anders Eriksson), was big, lumbering and on his last legs. He was able to supplant a player who became a stalwart. If the Flames want to avoid entitlement and promote commitment, young players must be given an opportunity equal to that of veterans on short term deals.

The argument can be made that this all worked out well for Mark Giordano, but I would think most players would be a bit frosty at watching a pylon take a spot they've spent a young lifetime trying to earn. Thankfully Giordano wasn't the type to pursue a vendetta, but not everybody comes with his character. Given the salary of Gudbranson, there is little chance that he doesn't eat minutes otherwise slotted to Valimaki, Mackey or Anderson, as a fan I just hope he shows worthy of those minutes.

[TheScorpion]

I just don't see why it's any better to hand a spot to a veteran than a rookie. Especially when that veteran has an extensive track record of hurting his team.

[Jiri Hrdina]

The good news if the Flames are bad Gudbranson will make them even worse and improve their draft spot.

Right?

That's good news right?

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

I just don't see why it's any better to hand a spot to a veteran than a rookie. Especially when that veteran has an extensive track record of hurting his team.

But is it “handing” a veteran a spot?

In this case, I think they know what they have in Kylington and Mackey. They know what they have in Stone. I’m puzzled by Gudbranson, but it’s a fact he’s been signed for a lot more money by two other teams, and traded for 5 times (not exactly major deals but still, it means someone saw value).

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

But is it “handing” a veteran a spot?

In this case, I think they know what they have in Kylington and Mackey. They know what they have in Stone. I’m puzzled by Gudbranson, but it’s a fact he’s been signed for a lot more money by two other teams, and traded for 5 times (not exactly major deals but still, it means someone saw value).

I guess learning from mistakes is overrated.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

I guess learning from mistakes is overrated.

I suppose, or maybe those other GMs don’t think he’s as bad as CP does.

[really?]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

I just don't see why it's any better to hand a spot to a veteran than a rookie. Especially when that veteran has an extensive track record of hurting his team.

I agree with you, but the Flames management has shown an affinity for that warm, safe feeling that comes with the knowledge that they deploy players having a working knowledge of what it takes to succeed at the highest level. Unfortunately, that working knowledge doesn't always align with an actual ability to put that knowledge to use.

The best thing about signings like this one, and more specifically Stone, is that they don't force the team to throw a player like Mackey into a situation that may stunt his career. In a limited view last year, I thought he showed more highs than lows, but I would trust that Sutter knows far more about his current functionality then some fan like me. At the least, if the Flames are in contention at the deadline, this signing should (hope, hope) prevent the annual picks for pounds strategy they tend to favor.....

[Strange Brew]

Every move an NHL GM makes can be defended. These aren’t stupid people.

edit: in reply to GioforPM’s defense of the signing

[Bingo]

This isn't a contending hockey team. There are a tonne of ifs for this team to go anywhere this year.

I don't like the Gubranson signing, wish it didn't happen.

But I'm not going to wallow in it. It isn't the defining moment of a failed season. This team is going to win more than we expect, or lose as much as some predict based on the play of about 7-8 players, and Gudbranson isn't one of them.

So yeah we can hash out the misery of a signing that nobody likes for 18 pages, but it just doesn't move the dial for me all that much.

This is a team with a flawed core that if anything got worse this off season. I certainly won't debate that.

But I just can't get into the muck and wallow for days on end. Can't believe how many people seem to love misery so much. There is reason for it sure, but I just can't fathom being a fan and removing all optimism and hope.

[flambers]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

The good news if the Flames are bad Gudbranson will make them even worse and improve their draft spot.

Right?

That's good news right?

No,

Flames will play just good enough to be a bubble team, either just in or just outside of the playoffs

Flames are going to have a tough time, finding a way to be a contender.

Its not a great plan.....

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by flambers

No,

Flames will play just good enough to be a bubble team, either just in or just outside of the playoffs

Flames are going to have a tough time, finding a way to be a contender.

Its not a great plan.....

Sure glad you cleared that up for him.

He really really thought it was good news, but you set him straight.

[SeanCharles]

Originally Posted by Bingo

This isn't a contending hockey team. There are a tonne of ifs for this team to go anywhere this year.

I don't like the Gubranson signing, wish it didn't happen.

But I'm not going to wallow in it. It isn't the defining moment of a failed season. This team is going to win more than we expect, or lose as much as some predict based on the play of about 7-8 players, and Gudbranson isn't one of them.

So yeah we can hash out the misery of a signing that nobody likes for 18 pages, but it just doesn't move the dial for me all that much.

This is a team with a flawed core that if anything got worse this off season. I certainly won't debate that.

But I just can't get into the muck and wallow for days on end. Can't believe how many people seem to love misery so much. There is reason for it sure, but I just can't fathom being a fan and removing all optimism and hope.

I agree with all this except I’m not convinced they got worse.

They improved the bottom of the roster with solid defensive players, added more speed and tenacity in Coleman and the key for me, which may be delusional but I’m sticking to it, is I believe Valimaki takes a huge step this year and softens the loss of Gio.

[Flamesfan05]

People are not just upset because of Gud. We were hoping for bigger and better changes. This signing probably signifies the end to that hope. That’s why it’s disappointing. You just don’t waste cap space on this type of player unless there is no other choices

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by CsInMyBlood

One of my best friends is a die hard Canucks fan. I would taunt him mercilessly after watching the player Gudbranson was. I got to do for that for a solid 4 years. The texts I got from him this morning about this signing were pretty epic. I still cant bring up the nerve to respond to him yet because really, what the fork can I say?

I cant say I've watched him since he left the Canucks but I'm fairly sure he hasn't suddenly gotten any better.

I laughed and laughed at him when Benning signed Hamonic and then again when Dim Jim re-signed Hamonic for another 2 years this off season. Little did I know Sutter and Treliving were going to be asking Benning to hold their beers.

Ugh. Karma really is a beeeeatch.

I wouldn't trade one year of EG for 2 years of Hamonic

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by Bingo

This isn't a contending hockey team. There are a tonne of ifs for this team to go anywhere this year.

I don't like the Gubranson signing, wish it didn't happen.

But I'm not going to wallow in it. It isn't the defining moment of a failed season. This team is going to win more than we expect, or lose as much as some predict based on the play of about 7-8 players, and Gudbranson isn't one of them.

So yeah we can hash out the misery of a signing that nobody likes for 18 pages, but it just doesn't move the dial for me all that much.

This is a team with a flawed core that if anything got worse this off season. I certainly won't debate that.

But I just can't get into the muck and wallow for days on end. Can't believe how many people seem to love misery so much. There is reason for it sure, but I just can't fathom being a fan and removing all optimism and hope.

I get that the negativity bothers you but it kind of reflects the state of the fan base. I have zero doubt that a good signing or trade would be greeted with enthusiasm. I’m not defending people that pile on but Gudbranson was just signed yesterday.

Not to dismiss your point about writing off the season. It’s a little early for that but I have to say, I was real excited when they hired a real coach who talked about winning a Stanley Cup and then this is the follow up.

Maybe the team will surprise us but come on, as off seasons go, this hasn’t been good. The pessimists have lots of ammunition and the optimists are left with having to say it’s not really so bad. If you’re in the middle, well the evidence seems to be pointing in one direction at the moment.

One thing is for sure. It could get a lot worse, or a lot better, once play starts.

[Steve Bozek]

As someone once said to me, "Things always get worse before they get worse!".

[Ashasx]

Yeah, it's a bad team. That's why its frustrating to see mixed signals, keeping Gaudrea/Monahan/Tkachuk (while seemingly trying to sign Gaudreau, now potentially trading him is made more difficult with his NTC).

The team should be sucking. Signing Gudbranson helps achieve that.

But we're keeping the other pieces. So we're going to be too good for a top 5 pick, too bad for the playoffs. The middle. Equilibrium for a Flames fan.

[neo45]

Originally Posted by Steve Bozek

As someone once said to me, "Things always get worse before they get worse!".

Old Russian saying: “today is worse than yesterday, but at least today is better than tomorrow!”

Is exactly how I’ve been feeling under Brad’s tenure for awhile now

[Manhattanboy]

Originally Posted by Flamesfan05

People are not just upset because of Gud. We were hoping for bigger and better changes. This signing probably signifies the end to that hope. That’s why it’s disappointing. You just don’t waste cap space on this type of player unless there is no other choices

So the consensus is the Flames are No Gud?

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

Every move an NHL GM makes can be defended. These aren’t stupid people.

edit: in reply to GioforPM’s defense of the signing

I’m not exactly defending the signing because I don’t like it. I’m prepared to admit, though, people who do this for a living have signed him a bunch of times and for more than I’d pay, and I would imagine they have their reasons.

His draft pedigree may be something they have latched on to, which should be a non-issue by now.