[Rumour] Friedman: Flames have inquired about Pittsburgh Goalie Matt Murray

[Fire of the Phoenix]

Originally Posted by calculoso

This whole NMC discussion only seems to be considering the NMC players that people don't want.

What happens if the Flames give Gaudreau a NMC? If there's an exception that teams don't need to protect NMC players, then the Flames all of a sudden have one more player that they can protect, taking one more quality player away from the pool that Expansion teams can select from.

To me, the only thing that is fair is to force teams to protect players with NMC, unless the player agrees to waive the NMC. Player gets the protection of the NMC that they agreed to in the contract. Team is forced to live up to the NMC, but still has an out if they can get the player to agree to it.

That's not how it works. The NMC will likely force teams to use one of their protected slots in that player, it won't add a new one. Also, Gaudreau won't be eligible for an NMC for 5 more years.

Edit: just re-read your last paragraph. That's exactly what they're going to do.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by Harry Lime

Does anyone watch a lot of WHL and can comment on the progress of Nick Schneider? He seems to be the forgotten man when talking about prospects, but his ETA could be about the same as MacDonald.

I saw him play just one game this year against the Hurricanes. IIRC he let in 5 goals but looked real good doing it as he really couldn't be faulted on any of the goals, and made several 10 bell saves. Basically was the only thing that kept the Tigers anywhere close to being in that particular game.

Like I said, just one game, but from what I saw he might be a tad bit under rated. The Tigers should be a better team next year, I'm betting his numbers improve dramatically behind a team that isn't in the basement.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

Murray is a blocking style goalie, no? Won't his effectiveness be affected by the change in equipment?

Yeah I don't think this question has been explored enough. For me a more athletic goalie such as Ortio would be the benefactor if this change of equipment comes about. It could be a big game changer that changes the type of goalie we want and it could increase scoring, especially as the goalies adjust.

Here's TSNs report on this.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl-aims-to-reduce...eason-1.453941


Here' Corey Hirsch's take on reducing goalie equipment. I think it's well done.

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/h...e-equipment-2/

[powderjunkie]

Originally Posted by Fire of the Phoenix

That's not how it works. The NMC will likely force teams to use one of their protected slots in that player, it won't add a new one. Also, Gaudreau won't be eligible for an NMC for 5 more years.

Edit: just re-read your last paragraph. That's exactly what they're going to do.

No one knows for sure yet how it works yet.

Anyone know which team has the most NMC's? I suspect the 8 skater 1 goalie option is also there to help resolve a situation where a team hands out 4+ NMC's to defencemen (or 8 forwards for that matter).

[dying4acup]

If the Flames are forced to protect an expiring Wideman, I might smash a window with my face.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by dying4acup

If the Flames are forced to protect an expiring Wideman, I might smash a window with my face.

Based on the interview with GM BT today it sounded like the expansion draft might happen after the entry draft and free agency. If I didn't hear wrong then Wideman may already be an UFA before the xpac draft.

[dying4acup]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

Based on the interview with GM BT today it sounded like the expansion draft might happen after the entry draft and free agency. If I didn't hear wrong then Wideman may already be an UFA before the xpac draft.

I didn't understand it that way, but if it does, it does more damage to the Flames. Correct me if I'm wrong but sooner the better for an expansion draft as far as the Flames are concerned. Every day that passes, the Flames assets are maturing more.

[Go_Flames4ever]

It wouldn't make sense either to have the expansion draft after free agency. How would you expose 25% of previous year's cap/salary when UFAs aren't technically yours anymore?

[Fire of the Phoenix]

That 25% rule has huge potential to screw us. BT might have to sign a couple guys just so he's not forced to expose good players to meet the quota. This will probably be happening right after all our bad contracts are off the books.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by Fire of the Phoenix

That 25% rule has huge potential to screw us. BT might have to sign a couple guys just so he's not forced to expose good players to meet the quota. This will probably be happening right after all our bad contracts are off the books.

You are likely only going to lose one player so I don't think anyone is getting screwed. I guess we'll see what kind of contracts the Flames have a year from now, but if the worst thing that happens is you lose a high priced veteran (like a Frolik) it is not decimating. Of course seems the draft will happen once most of our bad contracts are of the books.

Signing a guy just to expose him in he draft wouldn't be a great idea. There will be lots of deals with the expansion team(s) in advance to protect/expose certain players.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

Based on the interview with GM BT today it sounded like the expansion draft might happen after the entry draft and free agency. If I didn't hear wrong then Wideman may already be an UFA before the xpac draft.

I interpreted Trelivings comments differently. He said that everyone agreed that teams should have one draft, one free agent period and one deadline to sort out their rosters before having the expansion draft. The one draft is coming up in June. The one free agent period is this July. The one deadline is next March. Based on his comments I believe the expansion draft will take place days before the entry draft, that way the new team(s) will have some assets to deal at the draft and be able to start building out their prospect base. As a new member club, that would be my expectation as well.

[Fire of the Phoenix]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

You are likely only going to lose one player so I don't think anyone is getting screwed. I guess we'll see what kind of contracts the Flames have a year from now, but if the worst thing that happens is you lose a high priced veteran (like a Frolik) it is not decimating. Of course seems the draft will happen once most of our bad contracts are of the books.

Signing a guy just to expose him in he draft wouldn't be a great idea. There will be lots of deals with the expansion team(s) in advance to protect/expose certain players.

Well, losing a player like Frolik is exactly what I'm worried about. Losing someone like Shore or Arnold would be much more preferable to losing our 4th best forward.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Fire of the Phoenix

Well, losing a player like Frolik is exactly what I'm worried about. Losing someone like Shore or Arnold would be much more preferable to losing our 4th best forward.

And that's precisely why Treliving said that teams want - and will get - at least one draft, deadline, and free agency, after the rules are ironed out, in order to position themselves appropriately.

If the Flames are short of the 25%, they can sign a free agent to a one year contract. Or trade for such a player. Or whatever.

All teams will assess their situations and adjust accordingly.

The league isn't just going to snap this on teams and screw them randomly.

[TapeToTape]

Originally Posted by dying4acup

If the Flames are forced to protect an expiring Wideman, I might smash a window with my face.

I'm sure Wideman would be fine with waiving his NMC for a week.

Also, I don't think it makes sense for many teams to scramble to trade players to get something instead of losing them for free. It really comes down to how much more valuable is Murray compared to the next guy they might lose. Maybe with Pittsburgh's lack of depth, this is bigger gap than most.

[OzSome]

Originally Posted by dying4acup

If the Flames are forced to protect an expiring Wideman, I might smash a window with my face.

If the Flames are forced to protect an NMC player like Wideman, I am sure they would rather spend money and eating the cap to buy him out so they can still protect Giordano, Brodie and Hamilton. Teams shouldn't have to be forced to protect an NMC player over regular player. They should leave them expose for expansion draft. It is up to the expansion team if they want to draft them or not. I think that is fair.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by New Era

I interpreted Trelivings comments differently. He said that everyone agreed that teams should have one draft, one free agent period and one deadline to sort out their rosters before having the expansion draft. The one draft is coming up in June. The one free agent period is this July. The one deadline is next March. Based on his comments I believe the expansion draft will take place days before the expansion draft, that way the new team(s) will have some assets to deal at the draft and be able to start building out their prospect base. As a new member club, that would be my expectation as well.

Uh, I don't think you meant the bolded bit. Come again?

[Da_Chief]

^There are 2 expansion drafts. First one is for the Edmonton Oilers to join the NHL and the 2nd one will be for LV/Quebec etc.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by Da_Chief

^There are 2 expansion drafts. First one is for the Edmonton Oilers to join the NHL and the 2nd one will be for LV/Quebec etc.

How you talk! The Edmonton Oilers will never join the NHL. Why would they pay for a franchise when they've suckered their fans into thinking they have one already?

[GreenLantern2814]

With all the Murray hype, my new prediction is Treliving acquires Marc Andre Fleury for pennies on the dollar. I'm very okay with that.

[Fire of the Phoenix]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814

With all the Murray hype, my new prediction is Treliving acquires Marc Andre Fleury for pennies on the dollar. I'm very okay with that.

This would be acceptable. Theoretically, the expansion rules should kill what was already a buyer's market for goalies. Teams like Pittsburgh are officially on the clock. Move one of your goalies for something or face the very real chance you lose one for nothing.