[Signing] Stone returns on a PTO

[Torture]

Originally Posted by Jiggy

I know the Stone family. Michael loves it in Calgary. His wife is from Calgary, and her family is here. He's had offers to go somewhere else the past few years (including this one) but his heart is here. He's also pretty close with Tre.

Kinda feel bad for the guy and that he gets jerked around a bit knowing that he'll sign here at the end. That said, having him available as a black ace that can step in during the playoffs even if he hasn't played in awhile is super clutch.

[kermitology]

Originally Posted by Locke

Michael Stone summed up in a perfect gif.



I loved his game in the playoffs. Sign him up!

That clip gets even better for Stone:

“You guys all think I’m a hero - and I’ll accept that responsibility.”

[The Yen Man]

It could be that there's already a deal in place, it's just not going to be signed till the preseason ends for maximum cap flexibility.

Love Stone and hope he stays a Flame. But having said that, him being bought out and then re-signed also benefited him financially. He got the bought out money, and then paid again from the Flames to stay with the team.

[Fighting Banana Slug]

I like what Stone has brought to the table, but let's be clear he is playing (mostly) against AHL competition and would still be 7Dish on this team. No need to get too excited about signing him.

[Buff]

Maybe Stone is on a PTO to give HIM flexibility. Perhaps they have a deal agreed upon but bring him to camp on a PTO in case some other team comes along and says "Hey, we can guarantee you a regular spot with more money than what you've been getting from the Flames".

Stone knows his role in Calgary, wants to be in Calgary and is accepting of his situation, but you have to wonder if someone says he'll play 82 games as a #5/6 and he'll make a couple hundred thousand more that he would consider taking it, depending on the location.

[The Yen Man]

I don't think anyone is under any impression that Stone is more than a 6/7 dman at this point. I just think for league minimum, he's a better option than most.

[Scroopy Noopers]

Originally Posted by bizaro86

I guess if you have a team first guy who is super loyal and worth a contract I'm not sure I'd try to exploit that until the last second possible.

The first half of this post sounds accurate, but then leaping passed “keeping open communication with management” to “exploitation” and silence between parties is where you lose me.

[VilleN]

Originally Posted by Torture

Kinda feel bad for the guy and that he gets jerked around a bit knowing that he'll sign here at the end. That said, having him available as a black ace that can step in during the playoffs even if he hasn't played in awhile is super clutch.

He's not being jerked around... He wants to stay in Calgary, and the team has accommodated him. Seems like a pretty mutually beneficial agreement to me. Stone gets to stay in Calgary, the team gets him at a discount.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by Torture

Kinda feel bad for the guy and that he gets jerked around a bit knowing that he'll sign here at the end. That said, having him available as a black ace that can step in during the playoffs even if he hasn't played in awhile is super clutch.

He's a great story but the reality is he IS a marginal NHLer at this point.
He's exactly the type of guy that gets a PTO and needs to earn a spot.

He's not being jerked around.

[Macman]

I’d be curious to know if there’s any other offers out there for Michael Stone currently and how much he really wants to stay in Calgary. He’s just one of those players that you love to keep around but if there’s an issue with cap space, is also easy to move on from.

Is he good enough to be a regular on the bottom pairing or would you upgrade if you had the chance?

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by Toonage

He likely already has an agreement in place. Thus, no rush.

His interview yesterday suggests the exact opposite.

[Goriders]

I think he should be starting over Kylington. Probably will at the start of the season is my bet.

[boogerz]

The only thing that Sutter likes about Stone is his shot. He doesn't seem to trust Stone with anything else...under Sutter, Stone doesn't get regular playing time, he only gets easy defensive assignments, and his deployment is mostly in the offensive zone and PP.

With the backlog on d and the cap crunch, I'd be surprised if Stone gets an NHL deal with the Flames this year

[Bingo]

Yeah Stone is getting a little romanticized now.

Great team guy. Great story. But he's no higher than 7th on the team depth chart overall and likely 8th.

[Mathgod]

He was good when called upon last season, was very good in the playoffs, and has been great this preseason. Here's hoping he stays a Flame!

[iggyloob12]

I agree people are making him out to be more than what he is. He filled a role in the playoffs.


Unless they make a trade or someone gets picked up on waivers, I don't see why we'd sign him. I don't see him above Meloche or Mackey at this point, so he'd be AHL depth.

[Toonage]

Originally Posted by jayswin

His interview yesterday suggests the exact opposite.

Yeah just heard that. Was strange.

[FBI]

Originally Posted by Toonage

Yeah just heard that. Was strange.

What did he say?

[Street Pharmacist]

Steinberg mentioned that he's had offers elsewhere before, but as his wife and kids are settled in Calgary it's his only option for playing as he's not interested in moving. With that knowledge it's more the Flames keeping a spot open isn't really an option unless he's earned it, which it seems he has as the 7th guy imo

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Originally Posted by TrentCrimmIndependent

From a career perspective this was a crucial camp to be in attendance for for oliver. Especially given his jitters after hitting the boards . He needed to get back up to speed. That will be much harder if he misses all of camp

Shilly has played 150+ nhl games. I think his career will survive having missed camp once.