NHL Free Agent Frenzy July 1st.

[JohnnyT]

Joel. Ward. That is all

[dying4acup]

Is it just me, or is Ramo looking like the most attractive UFA goalie?

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by dying4acup

Is it just me, or is Ramo looking like the most attractive UFA goalie?

I think it was Connie who said they were still talking to Ramo.

[GranteedEV]

The easiest way to get "a little bigger, more hostile on the wing" isn't free agency, it's getting rid of Mason Raymond.

[Da_Chief]

Originally Posted by dammage79

RFA's of initerest to me,

Craig Smith NSH Sure but Nashville is offence starved team, tough get
Stanislav Galiev WSH Pass, rather give our own prospects a shot
Jimmy Hayes FLA Missed our chance, high cost now Id say
Jakub Silfverberg ANA (Did they really go get Haglin to replace him?) No chance
Linden Vey VAN Passs
Calle Jankrok NSH Passsssss
Teemu Pulkkinen DET Like him but we need to get bigger
Jesper Fast NYR Decent bottom 6 guy, we have lots of them though

Having made this list. I'm pretty sure that 100% of them all sing with their respective teams. But in the event that one of them becomes available? I hope they can nab of these players.

Also, whats with Scott Glennie? Can he be a reclamaition project? Or have his injuries taken to heavy a toll?

Response to your suggestions in bold.

I think Stewart or Stafford (UFAs) should be our targets. Former Sabres who are out of the hell hole now and maybe can re-kick start their career.

[UKflames]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

I am totally on board giving Stewart a go, because like you said, if anyone can get him more consistently motivated, it's Hartley and his team. And a motivated Chris Stewart is exactly what this team needs.

Not picking on your post specifically but people keep saying that if anyone can get Stewart going it will be Hartley, can i just remind you that we thought that about Setoguchi as well and he ended up back with the heat, Hartley couldn't get him going. Stewart is not a good option, if he has not made use of his potential by now he is never going to do it, please do not sign him.

[Vinny01]

Stewart has had 2 28 goal seasons and since been passed around the league. He is not a core piece but represents size and scoring touch. I would welcome him on a 1-2 year deal.

Having said that if we could package Granlund and Shore/Jooris for a guy like Oshie that would be great. I know Oshie lacks size but I like his style of play.

Gaudreau-Monahan-Hudler
Colborne-Bennett-Oshie
Bouma-Backlund-Jones
Ferland-Stajan-Jooris

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by JohnnySkittles

I'd love Jimmy Hayes. 6'6, right handed shot, 20-20 type of guy. Would need to either OS or trade for him though.

The rumor is that Panthers offered J. Hayes and picks for Talbot.

[Buff]

Originally Posted by mrdonkey

To me this is a pretty big red flag that they're going to make Chris Stewart a priority on July 1. But that could just be tinfoil hat talk.

Burke said they look to get bigger and more hostile on the wing. Stewart is the polar opposite of hostile. He's no Lady Bing candidate but he is just... the forward equivalent to Jay Bouwmeester. Big and skilled but doesn't use size as well as he could and just looks lazy.

[Red Menace]

We need a real top 6 winger, none of these guys mentioned are that...we have plenty of guys suited for the bottom 6. I don't see much out there that improves us, but I imagine we will make at least one move to try and gain some size. Hopefully it doesn't end up like the Raymond signing.

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

Originally Posted by UKflames

Not picking on your post specifically but people keep saying that if anyone can get Stewart going it will be Hartley, can i just remind you that we thought that about Setoguchi as well and he ended up back with the heat, Hartley couldn't get him going. Stewart is not a good option, if he has not made use of his potential by now he is never going to do it, please do not sign him.

To be fair, in the few games before Setoguchi was demoted, I saw a highly energetic guy who was actually going balls to the wall. He just had negative skill and couldn't do a damn thing worthwhile. He was motivated and showed good effort though.

[JohnnyT]

Originally Posted by Red Menace

We need a real top 6 winger, none of these guys mentioned are that...we have plenty of guys suited for the bottom 6. I don't see much out there that improves us, but I imagine we will make at least one move to try and gain some size. Hopefully it doesn't end up like the Raymond signing.

I still like Ward, he's a guy that's played on washingtons top line at times with Ovi and Backstorm, I think he's a perfect bottom 6 third line guy that can play up the line up when needed. Big boy at 6'1" 225 that uses that weight, but still moves well and is good for 10-15+ goals.

[dammage79]

I think Jimmy Hayes is a top 6 RW honestly. Consistency is an issue but the guy can score. And whe he gets hot, he's white hot nickel ball hot.

[Red Menace]

Joel Ward is a nice player, but he will command up to 5 mill and want 3-4 years at least. He is 34 and is a prime candidate to have his skills, speed, and health deteriorate rapidly. Don't want any part of him at this point in his career.

[Vulcan]

I like Stewart on a one year contract. It will help to keep him motivated and even than he'll probably be a healthy scratch now and than. He's in the same position as Jones, expected to play physical but realizes it takes a lot out of his body risking injury and probably shortens his career, so he dogs it when he can. Still he'd be a nice option when playing LA or the Ducks, especially in the playoffs.

[JohnnyT]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

I like Stewart on a one year contract. It will help to keep him motivated and even than he'll probably be a healthy scratch now and than. He's in the same position as Jones, expected to play physical but realizes it takes a lot out of his body risking injury and probably shortens his career, so he dogs it when he can. Still he'd be a nice option when playing LA or the Ducks, especially in the playoffs.

Players only take 1 year if it's their only option, so unless you're grossly over paying him he'll sign for 3-5 years some where else

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by JohnnyT

Players only take 1 year if it's their only option, so unless you're grossly over paying him he'll sign for 3-5 years some where else

Okay, I'd offer him a two year contract. If someone else wants to offer him more, good luck to them.

[UKflames]

Originally Posted by Pierre "Monster" McGuire

To be fair, in the few games before Setoguchi was demoted, I saw a highly energetic guy who was actually going balls to the wall. He just had negative skill and couldn't do a damn thing worthwhile. He was motivated and showed good effort though.

So it took the threat of a demotion to the Heat to actually get him going for a few games and even that wasn't enough to save him.

[Rick M.]

Originally Posted by Buff

Burke said they look to get bigger and more hostile on the wing. Stewart is the polar opposite of hostile. He's no Lady Bing candidate but he is just... the forward equivalent to Jay Bouwmeester. Big and skilled but doesn't use size as well as he could and just looks lazy.

I'm sure Burke had Corey Perry in mind as a prototype, not Stewart.

[BACKCHECK!!!]

I found it pretty funny last year how people were talking about Chris Stewart being completely unmotivated, and a liability, and acting like Buffalo should be giving up assets just to get rid of him.

Then I watched a couple of Buffalo games.

Chris Stewart was completely unmotivated, and an absolute liability. He could give Hall and Eberle lessons on how to coast around in the neutral zone and not give a single **** about defence. His backchecks are slower than his line changes, and his line changes are like watching the Columbia effing Glacier retreating.

I was half expecting him to lean against the boards in front of the bench, pull out a beer from the water bottle rack, and take a quick pull when the refs weren't looking.

At the right price, and with appropriate expectations, I'm ok with the Flames signing just about anyone. But we should be clear that Chris Stewart was shocking and appalling last season.