NHL Free Agent Frenzy July 1st.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by vulcan

i guess we're still looking for a #1 goalie and i don't see any of the ufas as an upgrade.

[Blarg]

i wonder if hiller would re-sign with a lower salary as a transition. That way the Flames may not need to acquire a goalie.

[Imported_Aussie]

Looking at the team, aside from the potential changes in net, there aren't a ton of spaces:

Gaudreau - Monahan - Hudler
Bouma - Backlund - Jones
Ferland - Bennett - Colborne
Bollig - Stajan - Jooris
Granlund, Shore

Trade: Raymond

Up front, unless you are getting a good deal that fits the structure of the team going forward at 2nd line RW, you leave the team as is. Bringing in a forward via UFA necessitates a trade, but if you can get a guy now to fill that hole when Jones is let go, rather than waiting for next year, you consider it.
Raymond is an odd man out, and needs to be traded, as is Byron (let him walk).
Guys like Granlund, Jooris and Shore are vulnerable if a guy like Agostino or Hathaway has a great camp. They could also become trade bait. Bollig is worth keeping around IMO based on his experience and playoff play, but maybe management sees him as a guy to move as that bottom 6 is VERY crowded.


Giordano - Wideman
Brodie - Hamilton
Russell - Engelland
Wotherspoon

Smid = LTIR

Those pairings are guesses - IMO it will break down to seeing the top 3 guys logging 24 mins in all situations, Russel (PK) and Wideman (PP) logging around 18 and Engelland coming in around 12.
Wotherspoon is vulnerable to a guy making a push (Nakladal, Ramage, Culkin).

Hiller
Ortio

This would be the tandem, barring a move to add another. I would expect a more experienced AHL guy to back up Gillies, so he can get his starts, but not be thrown to the wolves. Ortio is ready to be a 1B IMO, and as many have pointed out, it makes sense to plan beyond this year - so Hiller may be best to be replaced now, rather than waiting until next offseason.

Of course the other deals to watch for will be AHL deals, but those don't usually happen day 1.

So the Flames have no urgent need to make a big UFA splash (nor is it the right time) but they may be looking for through UFA/trade:

2nd line RW with size (if the right fit is there)
Steady starting goalie (approx 3 year deal)
AHL veteran goalie
Maybe a veteran skater or two for the AHL team also

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

I guess we're still looking for a #1 goalie and I don't see any of the UFAs as an upgrade. Maybe Ward is available again after they acquired Lack?

They moved Khudobin today, I don't think they have anyone in the pipeline either for the next few years. Likely going to roll with Lack and Ward for a few seasons. By all accounts, Ward and CAR are mutually interested in eachother past the end of his contract.

[dying4acup]

Originally Posted by Imported_Aussie

Looking at the team, aside from the potential changes in net, there aren't a ton of spaces:

Gaudreau - Monahan - Hudler
Bouma - Backlund - Jones
Ferland - Bennett - Colborne
Bollig - Stajan - Jooris
Granlund, Shore

Trade: Raymond

Up front, unless you are getting a good deal that fits the structure of the team going forward at 2nd line RW, you leave the team as is. Bringing in a forward via UFA necessitates a trade, but if you can get a guy now to fill that hole when Jones is let go, rather than waiting for next year, you consider it.
Raymond is an odd man out, and needs to be traded, as is Byron (let him walk).
Guys like Granlund, Jooris and Shore are vulnerable if a guy like Agostino or Hathaway has a great camp. They could also become trade bait. Bollig is worth keeping around IMO based on his experience and playoff play, but maybe management sees him as a guy to move as that bottom 6 is VERY crowded.


Giordano - Wideman
Brodie - Hamilton
Russell - Engelland
Wotherspoon

Smid = LTIR

Those pairings are guesses - IMO it will break down to seeing the top 3 guys logging 24 mins in all situations, Russel (PK) and Wideman (PP) logging around 18 and Engelland coming in around 12.
Wotherspoon is vulnerable to a guy making a push (Nakladal, Ramage, Culkin).

Hiller
Ortio

This would be the tandem, barring a move to add another. I would expect a more experienced AHL guy to back up Gillies, so he can get his starts, but not be thrown to the wolves. Ortio is ready to be a 1B IMO, and as many have pointed out, it makes sense to plan beyond this year - so Hiller may be best to be replaced now, rather than waiting until next offseason.

Of course the other deals to watch for will be AHL deals, but those don't usually happen day 1.

So the Flames have no urgent need to make a big UFA splash (nor is it the right time) but they may be looking for through UFA/trade:

2nd line RW with size (if the right fit is there)
Steady starting goalie (approx 3 year deal)
AHL veteran goalie
Maybe a veteran skater or two for the AHL team also

Not necessarily a starting goalie, but one capable of playing 40-50games, young, and in a place to compete for playing time, under team control for 2-3 years (RFA or under contract) and possibly break out and become a bonafide starting goalie.

Ideally if we could have 2 Ortios, we would be set.

[1qqaaz]

I wouldn't mind signing Michal Neuvirth just in case Ortio doesn't perform well. Michal Neuvirth had 91.8% on Buffalo last year and is only 27.

[dammage79]

Another super under the radar signing the Flames could make is Mike Santorelli. middle 6 RW. Proved when lined up with good playmakers he can put up mad points. Could be a good fit on the 2nd line in CGY.

[Vinny01]

Flames don't need middle 6 players. I think they need a guy who is a legit top 6 forward. Doubtful they find that in free agency. Maybe Frolik

[sureLoss]

Don't forget that QO's are due on Monday. Perhaps a team cuts loose a young RW with upside by not qualifying him.

Arbitration is also coming up. We haven't really seen it yet, but a scenario may unfold where an arbitration award forces a cap team to trade someone.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by killer_carlson

Schlemko could be had for 2 years, $700,000 one way contract

in my opinion.

But i'd rather have his spot open for a prospect to come and take.

Not me, I think even overlooking my belief that he's an everyday NHL caliber D-man, I think the Flames should stick to their strategy of filling holes with NHL hockey players and then forcing rookies/prospects to take spots.

It would be a worrisome strategy on some teams, but I have full faith in the way the Flames stick to their word and aren't afraid to bury players/salary in the minors if a rookie outperforms him.

The last thing you want to do is go "Well, we've got some great prospects, and we left this spot open for them, but it looks like none of them were quite ready, so we need to go look for an option and...........oh crap, Wideman just got injured, okay now we need two NHL caliber D-men".

Every year, we're given examples on both the Flames and other teams of why you can never have enough defensive depth. If it's me, I don't see Schlemko as a "meh, he was a waiver guy anyways, don't bother" type of player. I see him as a guy who made a significant enough impact on our line-up, and showed enough versatility that you sign him to a 1, 2 or 3 year contract for cheap-ish dollars, and take advantage of the fact that a waiver wire pick up worked out well for your club.

[Vinny01]

I just don't see how Schlemko has earned upwards of a 3 year contract. The guy is a fringe NHLer 1 year deal in my opinion maybe 2 years

[kn]

Originally Posted by JohnnySkittles

http://www.generalfanager.com/teams/calgary-flames

Much better site IMO

Raymond has a no-trade clause?

[Cheerio]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

I just don't see how Schlemko has earned upwards of a 3 year contract. The guy is a fringe NHLer 1 year deal in my opinion maybe 2 years

Please explain without using the term "waivers". Yes he was waived twice, but he was also claimed twice without passing through even half the league. David Schlemko is a legitimate top 5 dman and I have yet to see anyone offer an explanation proving otherwise.

[Poe969]

Gio, Brodie, Hamilton, Russel, Wideman, England and then prospects. Schlemko is decent, he just doesn't have a place in the top 6 on this team if at all. Unless someone is moved, there really is no need for him let alone on a multi year, multi million dollar contract. I know you think the world of the guy and he probably is really nice but vinny is right, on this team schlemko is a fringe NHL'er.

[Imported_Aussie]

Originally Posted by dying4acup

Not necessarily a starting goalie, but one capable of playing 40-50games, young, and in a place to compete for playing time, under team control for 2-3 years (RFA or under contract) and possibly break out and become a bonafide starting goalie.

Ideally if we could have 2 Ortios, we would be set.

You are right here - that is what I was trying to say with poor wording - emphasis more on the "steady" though, Hiller's main flaw last season was giving up early goals/soft goals. His rebound control left a lot to be desired, which is why I am keen to see Ortio play, as I feel he is much better in that regard

[JohnnySkittles]

From Friedmans 30 thoughts: http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/3...serves-better/

7. Curious to see if Calgary or Ottawa makes a free-agent poke at Chris Stewart. Both teams pursued him when available in Buffalo. The Flames are looking for some sandpaper, and the Senators have liked him for a while.

[Wastedyouth]

Stewart is terrible. No thanks.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by Cheerio

Please explain without using the term "waivers". Yes he was waived twice, but he was also claimed twice without passing through even half the league. David Schlemko is a legitimate top 5 dman and I have yet to see anyone offer an explanation proving otherwise.

Well, he was waived twice by two different teams because those two teams had at least six players better then him. On the current Flames he'd sit at most at 6, that's not top 5 either. The case could be made he'd fall from that spot too.

So on his past three teams, he's not top 5. Hard to say he's a legitimate top 5 guy when all the teams he's played for in the past year don't seem to agree.

[savardandjokinen]

I hope we get a RW, and that's basically it. Get some ahl prospects if they're there.

[oldschoolcalgary]

I love Schlemko and hope we sign him, but anyone that thinks he's a 'legit #5' dman is really reaching.

Could he develop? Sure... chris russell has certainly exceeded anyone's expectations, and maybe Schlemko could get there... but he ain't even a five on our team at this moment...

gio, brodie, hamilton, russell, wideman, engelland.....schlemko