[News] Flames qualify 6 RFAs. Byron, Galiardi, Eddy, Martin, Roy do NOT receive offers

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

Surprised how many want to dump Hanowksi after his first pro year when he actually had a pretty good year in the minors (31 points in 55 games), has size and had really improved his skating.

Some people have zero patience I guess. Kid is still very young and developing. Plenty of time for him to turn himself into a useful NHLer.

It's doubly stupid because some of these people seem to forget that we have to fill an AHL roster as well.

Far too many Flames fans need to get it in their heads that not every player is a future 50 goal scorer or 1A defenceman, and that they still have value.



As far as Byron goes, it isn't like he was going to get a huge award if he went to arbitration. It makes total sense that the Flames might want to move on due to the number of small forwards coming in (i.e.: Gaudreau), but he should have been movable for something.

[Monahan23]

Does anyone know when/if Treliving will speak?

[Vulcan]

At first look it seems like a MSL situation. New GM not knowing the players cuts a player loose solely because of size. I like Byron, he legitimately won a spot by outplaying Baertschi but unlike the MSL time, we have some good prospects ready to step up to the big team and part of the trouble is, they are also on the small side. We already have undersized Hudler and Russel playing key roles with Gaudreau, Granlund and Baerstschi knocking on the door and we could still re-sign Cammallari. Sometimes players just don't fit at the time and I suppose Byron is one of those so I'm not as pissed as I was when I first heard he'd be gone. As has been said, he could still be signed by us but if not, I wish him good luck. I enjoyed watching him.

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by Monahan23

Does anyone know when/if Treliving will speak?

Tomorrow at some time. They said it on the Fan today but I cannot remember what time they said.

[mile]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

Byron probably could've been kept if we didn't have Hudler and Gaudreau and to a lesser extent Baertschi/Granlund. We have too many small or averaged sized guys who don't play hard games. Byron played the hardest game of the bunch but also has the lowest upside of the bunch. Bollig, Bouma ahead of him now with Reinhart, Agostino, Hanowski, Van Brabant and Wolf pushing from below. Not really enough skill to be a regular top two liner.

Why would having Baertschi/Hudler/Gaudreau affect Byron's placement? Those three players (and perhaps Granlund as well) are small players competing for top two line spots. I view Byron as the sole small player in the bottom six right now, and I don't think anyone views him as a potential top two liner.

Other than Bouma, Byron was probably the most effective bottom six player for us last season - while it is true that a Reinhart/Agostino/Hanowski player could easily replace Byron, the difference is that Byron has fully developed and the rest haven't - one can be a nice placeholder while the rest develop.

So when deciding between two current roster players like Byron or D. Jones for a RW spot, I'd rather keep the guy who produced more points in less games, who was regularly winning board battles and out muscling opposition, and who was more entertaining and inspiring to watch.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

It's doubly stupid because some of these people seem to forget that we have to fill an AHL roster as well.

Far too many Flames fans need to get it in their heads that not every player is a future 50 goal scorer or 1A defenceman, and that they still have value.



As far as Byron goes, it isn't like he was going to get a huge award if he went to arbitration. It makes total sense that the Flames might want to move on due to the number of small forwards coming in (i.e.: Gaudreau), but he should have been movable for something.

As for Hanowski, he began to show some physical play towards the end of the season and had a few fights. He isn't going to make it on talent alone, so as the smart guy he is, he's adjusting his game. He worked on his speed issues also. I look at him as a Nystrom type who could still win a spot. Oh yeah, he's also plays RW which we need.

[CaramonLS]

For all the comments about how he "played like he was 6'4", well, he might tried to play like it, but he certainly wasn't nearly as effective as a player of that size could be.

Yeah, it was neat to see him throw himself at guys and finish checks (seemingly a rarity on the Flames), but there were often times he would bounce off of larger players or even take himself out of the play because he tried to hit someone a lot stronger than he was.

I liked him, but I don't see a role for him on this team with the lack of size. He wasn't going to ever be a top 6 player. He may end up carving out a niche on a team that plays an up-tempo style with some bigger players as a 4th liner / PK guy.

[Wolven]

Originally Posted by bubbsy

wow... i'm surprised at the reaction here.

Yes, loved the player for his effort.

However, he was never going to be a top 6 forward here. Can a team that is destined to be small in the top6 afford to not have a painful bottom 6 to play against? There just isn't room for him, given the small make up of the team.

Tough to see the individual go, but in the end, it will be best for the team.

Personally, I don't mind if Byron is no longer on the roster, I just don't think we should be losing him for nothing.

Sign him, add him to the roster, showcase what he can do and then trade him to a team for a draft pick in 2015. Heck, if you are feeling dirty, force him onto the powerplay and "artificially" boost his stats. He seems like a good enough player that he would be able to handle the minutes and could make the most of the opportunity to show off.

I would suggest that we try to do the same thing with Galiardi but he seems to be tanking his own value and it sounds like he has a bad attitude.

Letting RFAs walk away for nothing just seems silly at this point.

[Itse]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

Byron probably could've been kept if we didn't have Hudler and Gaudreau and to a lesser extent Baertschi/Granlund. We have too many small or averaged sized guys who don't play hard games. Byron played the hardest game of the bunch but also has the lowest upside of the bunch. Bollig, Bouma ahead of him now with Reinhart, Agostino, Hanowski, Van Brabant and Wolf pushing from below. Not really enough skill to be a regular top two liner.

Pretty much this.

We can't get bigger if we keep all the small guys, and we do need to get bigger. With Gaudreau and possibly Baertchi coming in, we need bigger guys elsewhere in the lineup just to stay put, and we're already one of the smallest teams in the league.

Did I like the way he played? Of course, I had eyes. But if we want to get better, we can't fall in love with guys like this. At the end of the day, Byron was a 3rd liner in one of the worst teams in the league, who's claim to fame so far is one good stretch at the latter half of a season without pressure.

The only reason to re-sign him at this point is asset management, potential trade fodder. Although since he already passed through waivers, he probably doesn't add that much.

For the record, I would not be shocked if we trade Russell too at some point.

Can't get bigger if you keep all the small guys.

[bubbsy]

Originally Posted by Wolven

Personally, I don't mind if Byron is no longer on the roster, I just don't think we should be losing him for nothing.

Sign him, add him to the roster, showcase what he can do and then trade him to a team for a draft pick in 2015. Heck, if you are feeling dirty, force him onto the powerplay and "artificially" boost his stats. He seems like a good enough player that he would be able to handle the minutes and could make the most of the opportunity to show off.

I would suggest that we try to do the same thing with Galiardi but he seems to be tanking his own value and it sounds like he has a bad attitude.

Letting RFAs walk away for nothing just seems silly at this point.

i suppose, but how many times has byron passed the waiver wire without being picked up. How many teams would be willing to give up assets for him, even as a throw in to a bigger trade?

He showed he could be as good as a depth forward like galiardi (the better version of galiardi we saw in sj) but these roles can typically be easily filled for decent price through free agency.

[flamesfan1297]

Originally Posted by Itse

Pretty much this.

We can't get bigger if we keep all the small guys, and we do need to get bigger. With Gaudreau and possibly Baertchi coming in, we need bigger guys elsewhere in the lineup just to stay put, and we're already one of the smallest teams in the league.

Did I like the way he played? Of course, I had eyes. But if we want to get better, we can't fall in love with guys like this. At the end of the day, Byron was a 3rd liner in one of the worst teams in the league, who's claim to fame so far is one good stretch at the latter half of a season without pressure.

The only reason to re-sign him at this point is asset management, potential trade fodder. Although since he already passed through waivers, he probably doesn't add that much.

For the record, I would not be shocked if we trade Russell too at some point.

Can't get bigger if you keep all the small guys.

NO, his claim to fame is "injuring" Daniel Sedin

[Fire]

I'm surprised Byron wasn't qualified but I can't say I'm disappointed. It gives more opportunites for players like Reinhart to earn a spot. He's won't be a St. Lious, he has never produced much offensively throughout his career.

I don't have high hopes for Hanowski, but people saying that he shouldn't be qualified is crazy. He's needs more than one year of pro hockey to prove himself.

I'm hoping Cundari comes into camp in shape this time.

I'm happy to see them walk away from Galiardi, Eddy, Martin and Roy.

[Wolven]

Originally Posted by bubbsy

i suppose, but how many times has byron passed the waiver wire without being picked up. How many teams would be willing to give up assets for him, even as a throw in to a bigger trade?

He showed he could be as good as a depth forward like galiardi (the better version of galiardi we saw in sj) but these roles can typically be easily filled for decent price through free agency.

But there are implications with picking up a player from the waiver wire, right? Like you cannot send him down to the minors after you pick him up.

He could definitely still be a trade-able asset.

[bubbsy]

Originally Posted by Wolven

But there are implications with picking up a player from the waiver wire, right? Like you cannot send him down to the minors after you pick him up.

He could definitely still be a trade-able asset.

fair enough.

I really like byron, but just don't see other teams forking over anything of value to acquire a guy of that ilk, knowing that there are plenty of guys at that level available july 1st every year.

[sun]

Byron is a good kid with some hustle. I can understand why he may not be in the plans going forward, but I'll miss him nonetheless.

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by mile

Why would having Baertschi/Hudler/Gaudreau affect Byron's placement? Those three players (and perhaps Granlund as well) are small players competing for top two line spots. I view Byron as the sole small player in the bottom six right now, and I don't think anyone views him as a potential top two liner.

Other than Bouma, Byron was probably the most effective bottom six player for us last season - while it is true that a Reinhart/Agostino/Hanowski player could easily replace Byron, the difference is that Byron has fully developed and the rest haven't - one can be a nice placeholder while the rest develop.

So when deciding between two current roster players like Byron or D. Jones for a RW spot, I'd rather keep the guy who produced more points in less games, who was regularly winning board battles and out muscling opposition, and who was more entertaining and inspiring to watch.

While I would also rather have Byron over D. jones. there is not a chance in hell they could trade Jones. Can't see any other team wanting him at $4 million a season.

[chubeyr1]

I like Byron a lot, gives 110 percent effort and has speed. Will do whatever it takes to be on the team.

Yet alas we have been drafting quite well these past few years, our young guys need a chance too. Byron is not old but his ship has sailed awhile back.

Guy should really go to the KHL, get a 30 goal season under him and then come back to the league. I do like him but he is small. Small players need to have elite skills. Byron wont get a chance to prove he has those skills here, yet he has had somewhat of a chance.

Don't get me wrong, as an injury call up I love the guy. Yet I can mention about seven other players deserving a chance over him. I do hope he signs on with another team and gets a nice NHL contract though.

I will miss him but look forward to seeing our prospects play.

[sureLoss]

Galliardi says that he didn't want to come back anyways... and he is going to form his own NHL team with hookers and blackjack.

http://www.calgarysun.com/2014/06/30...calgary-flames

"I can't say that I am entirely surprised. Things didn't work out the way both sides had wanted them to this year, so it was time to move on," Galiardi said via text.

"To be honest, even if it had been my choice to return to Calgary, I wouldn't have gone back. Sometimes you have the best intentions and the highest hopes, but things just aren't meant to be. I'll always be grateful that I was able to achieve my lifelong goal of playing as a Flame and I wish them the best of luck in the future."

[ben voyonsdonc]

Don't let the door hit you on your way out, TJ.

[Wolfman]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Galliardi says that he didn't want to come back anyways... and he is going to form his own NHL team with hookers and blackjack.

http://www.calgarysun.com/2014/06/30...calgary-flames

Yeah TJ, I bet teams will be knocking your door down to sign you!