The 2025 Offseason thread.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by Flames_F.T.W

I think Calgary and Buffalo hook up for a D trade. They've got 3 LHD that are top 4 and we have a surplus of RHD. Byram or Powers would be a nice add. Buffalo clearly needs a shakeup so I'm sure they'd consider a lot of potential deals

I would love a hockey trade with them.

Byram and Kulich for Andersson and Pospisil makes a lot of sense. Getting Norris and Pospisil would bring some physicality for them.

I think we can sell Pospisil high with Klapka’s emergence.

[TOfan]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

I would love a hockey trade with them.

Byram and Kulich for Andersson and Pospisil makes a lot of sense. Getting Norris and Pospisil would bring some physicality for them.

I think we can sell Pospisil high with Klapka’s emergence.

I don’t think that makes much sense at all for Buffalo. Andersson is a pending UFA. I’m sure the league at large is aware of Posposil’s injury history too.

That’s a firm ‘no’ from Buffalo, I’d bet.

[Bingo]

The most likely free agent signing to me is on the blueline after moving Andersson in a trade.

Unless they move some forwards out on deals as well.

[Wolven]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

I would love a hockey trade with them.

Byram and Kulich for Andersson and Pospisil makes a lot of sense. Getting Norris and Pospisil would bring some physicality for them.

I think we can sell Pospisil high with Klapka’s emergence.

I doubt you can get Andersson to agree to that. I know he does not have a lot of teams on his NTL but the Sabres have to be one of them.

I do like the suggestion though and while they might not need Pospisil from a talent perspective, they could definitely use a guy that has more grit. Out of curiosity, I looked at the Sabres team stats and their PIM leaders are Krebs and Benson tied at 60. That is two first round draft picks (13OA and 17OA) who are their PIM leader.

Florida, on the other hand, has Greer at 130PIM and then Bennett at 90. So maybe there is something to the suggestion that the Sabres would like.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by TOfan

I don’t think that makes much sense at all for Buffalo. Andersson is a pending UFA. I’m sure the league at large is aware of Posposil’s injury history too.

That’s a firm ‘no’ from Buffalo, I’d bet.

I wish there was conditional picks allowed based on whether or not a player signs. I do agree it would only make sense if Andersson agreed to an 8 head deal with them though.

I think he’d be a great partner to Powers or Dahlin though.

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

I wish there was conditional picks allowed based on whether or not a player signs. I do agree it would only make sense if Andersson agreed to an 8 head deal with them though.

I think he’d be a great partner to Powers or Dahlin though.

Since pretty much everyone agrees that signing Anderson to an 8 year deal would be bad deal, I'm not sure why many assume other teams will jump at the chance.

I do think that Anderson is likely better than he showed this year if he can be a 3-4 dman facing lesser opponents. But I'm quite unsure of his aging.

He may be in his decline stage, or not.

[442scotty]

Anderson had a great start to the year. This is his true form. For whatever reason he tailed off after getting picked for team Sweden. He’s a lot better than he showed the last 3/4 of the season. What’s up with that Mr Anderson?

[TOfan]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

I wish there was conditional picks allowed based on whether or not a player signs. I do agree it would only make sense if Andersson agreed to an 8 head deal with them though.

I think he’d be a great partner to Powers or Dahlin though.

Originally Posted by The Cobra

Since pretty much everyone agrees that signing Anderson to an 8 year deal would be bad deal, I'm not sure why many assume other teams will jump at the chance.

I do think that Anderson is likely better than he showed this year if he can be a 3-4 dman facing lesser opponents. But I'm quite unsure of his aging.

He may be in his decline stage, or not.

Have to agree with Cobra on this one.

I just don’t see the Sabres parting with Power or Byram unless they are getting a player(s) of comparable age and upside.

If the Flames want Power or Byram, I suspect the conversation starts with Coronato or Zary.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by The Cobra

Since pretty much everyone agrees that signing Anderson to an 8 year deal would be bad deal, I'm not sure why many assume other teams will jump at the chance.

I do think that Anderson is likely better than he showed this year if he can be a 3-4 dman facing lesser opponents. But I'm quite unsure of his aging.

He may be in his decline stage, or not.

My issue with signing Anderson is the state of the team. Weegar has a big money long term deal and Parekh is the next hope for this franchise they have a superstar level player. Add in Kadri, Huberdeau having lots of term at 32-35 years old next year. It doesn’t make sense for the Flames to sign him but other teams may be able to fit him into their structure.

[Wolven]

Originally Posted by TOfan

Have to agree with Cobra on this one.

I just don’t see the Sabres parting with Power or Byram unless they are getting a player(s) of comparable age and upside.

If the Flames want Power or Byram, I suspect the conversation starts with Coronato or Zary.

The Sabres are possibly going to need to part with Byram whether they want to or not. As an RFA in need of a contract with stats that are very comparable to Power (Byram's stats are arguably better than Power over the last 3 years), you have to think that sets the mark for his next contract around $8.35M.

At the same time, they also need to sign half of their top 6.
Peterka is going to seek big money considering he is #3 on the team for both goals and points. Does he get 8M or 9M based on the rising cap?
McLeod had a good season and 20 goals as a top6 C. You have to think he gets at least $7M
Quinn has the least leverage with only 15 goals. Maybe he only gets 5?

The Sabres have $24M in cap space for next season but Byram, Peterka, and McLeod could make that disappear quickly. They need to re-sign these guys plus a few more RFAs, add a backup goalie, and promote 1-2 players to the NHL pressbox so that they are not running with 12 forwards on the NHL roster.

Something is going to have to give in the Sabres salary cap structure this summer and they are not going to have room to take back an expensive asset.

[FanIn80]

Convert Coronato to LW, and find a playmaking C (Zary?) to put between them. Bam! A right-shot LW and a left-shot RW for dual one-timer threats!

(Ovie is a righty on the left side.) (Serious clapper threats on either side... mmm...)

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by The Cobra

Since pretty much everyone agrees that signing Anderson to an 8 year deal would be bad deal, I'm not sure why many assume other teams will jump at the chance.

I do think that Anderson is likely better than he showed this year if he can be a 3-4 dman facing lesser opponents. But I'm quite unsure of his aging.

He may be in his decline stage, or not.

If you’ve got Power and Dahlin as your 1/2 and Andersson being the 3rd best guy, I think you’ve got a great shot at finally making some noise. Andersson would be a great staple on the middle pairing or being the complimentary RHD flanking either one of those minute munching LDs.

It’s no secret Buffalo needs to beef up and get physical. That’s why I feel like Pospisil makes a ton of sense for them.

[Wolven]

Originally Posted by The Cobra

Since pretty much everyone agrees that signing Anderson to an 8 year deal would be bad deal, I'm not sure why many assume other teams will jump at the chance.

I do think that Anderson is likely better than he showed this year if he can be a 3-4 dman facing lesser opponents. But I'm quite unsure of his aging.

He may be in his decline stage, or not.

Aside from a few aggressive haters, I think most people view signing Andersson as a bad idea for the Flames specifically because his age doesn't match up with the team's expected competitive window and we have good RD prospects that would be blocked from the lineup should he stay with the team.

This is not a knock on Andersson. It is just not a good fit with the Flames if the plan for the RD is to eventually become Weegar-Parekh-Brzustewicz.

But for the rest of the league... I do not believe that he is declining at all and I believe most GMs and their pro scout departments in the NHL will look at the bigger story to see that Andersson would be a great #2 D and would compliment a #1 LD very well. He can handle the defensive assignment pretty well but is better utilized in the O zone and he can play big minutes.

He is still one of the best D available over the next two summers, especially when Ekblad is off the market.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by The Cobra

Since pretty much everyone agrees that signing Anderson to an 8 year deal would be bad deal, I'm not sure why many assume other teams will jump at the chance.

I do think that Anderson is likely better than he showed this year if he can be a 3-4 dman facing lesser opponents. But I'm quite unsure of his aging.

He may be in his decline stage, or not.

Depends where the team is in their competitive window.

When you sign a vet to an 8 year deal, you are giving them term in order to keep the cap hit lower, and it is implicitly understood that the early years will be better value, and the late years will be lesser value.

For the Flames, they are not going to be in their window for the next 4 years, so an Andersson contract doesn't fit. But for a team entering their window, Andersson is a perfect add: high quality top 4 guy that won't cost a crazy amount. And you're probably getting at least 5 good years out of him, as he's only 28 and has only played 27 playoff games to date.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by The Cobra

Since pretty much everyone agrees that signing Anderson to an 8 year deal would be bad deal, I'm not sure why many assume other teams will jump at the chance.

I do think that Anderson is likely better than he showed this year if he can be a 3-4 dman facing lesser opponents. But I'm quite unsure of his aging.

He may be in his decline stage, or not.

A team with their window starting in 4 years has less incentive to sign a guy for 8 years. A team that's in a window with a need would benefit from the best years of an 8 year contract.

[traptor]

Ekblad is going to be demanding the same, if not bigger, contract then Rasmus. Hes been historically just as good, if not better of a Dman then Rasmus.

Not sure why some think he'll be willing to sign a short term deal, especially to come to calgary.

I bet he gets an 8x7 somewhere.
Also, I feel like Flordia is almost more likely to let Bennett walk then Ekblad. Ekblad has been their #1D and they have a clearer replacement for Bennett then Ekblad. They have Forsling and Jones but no real other bonafide top 4 guys after.

Orlov, Schmidt, Dumoulin and Lindgren seem to the UFAs that make sense.

Orlov makes sense if Nikishin comes into Carolina. Feels like he could be had for a shorter term deal. This one feels like it makes thr most sense.

Schmidt isn't really what we need but I do think he would take a shorter deal on a canadian team.

Dumoulin and Lindgren are bith American guys that have played their entire lives in the American hockey system. Not sure if they would change that now.
I do think Lindgren would be a nice add though.

I see Orlov on like a 7.5x3.

[Sylvanfan]

Why does Anderson get 8 years when a guy like Pionk similar age just got 6?

That said 4--6-8 years, what Bingo stated applies. Legitimate top 8 team trying to win a cup the right now matters.

For a team like the Flames...if they're honest with themselves they don't really know what they are right now and still need time to build their identity. So that timeline really doesn't line up with Ras for the next 5 years.

But I wouldn't be going to the UFA market to sign a replacement for more than two years.

[CFO]

I'm not as high on zary as most, even pre-injury. I think he tops out as a solid second liner.

Zary and Anderson for powers.

[Wolven]

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

Why does Anderson get 8 years when a guy like Pionk similar age just got 6?

Maybe Pionk is lining up his contract with the Jets' window. They are competitive now but likely won't be in 6 years.

Or maybe Pionk is gambling on himself and feels that at 35 he will be able to land a better retirement contract than if he becomes a UFA at 37. With the rising salary cap, he might be able to get a decent 3 year contract at 35. But at 37 he might only get a 1 year deal, or nothing at all.

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by Wolven

The Sabres are possibly going to need to part with Byram whether they want to or not. As an RFA in need of a contract with stats that are very comparable to Power (Byram's stats are arguably better than Power over the last 3 years), you have to think that sets the mark for his next contract around $8.35M.

At the same time, they also need to sign half of their top 6.
Peterka is going to seek big money considering he is #3 on the team for both goals and points. Does he get 8M or 9M based on the rising cap?
McLeod had a good season and 20 goals as a top6 C. You have to think he gets at least $7M
Quinn has the least leverage with only 15 goals. Maybe he only gets 5?

The Sabres have $24M in cap space for next season but Byram, Peterka, and McLeod could make that disappear quickly. They need to re-sign these guys plus a few more RFAs, add a backup goalie, and promote 1-2 players to the NHL pressbox so that they are not running with 12 forwards on the NHL roster.

Something is going to have to give in the Sabres salary cap structure this summer and they are not going to have room to take back an expensive asset.

Right. Which of course makes Anderson a terrible target for them.

As someone mentioned, Coronato would likely be their target if they moved a dman.