[Signing] Flames sign Mason Raymond (3yrs, $3.15mil AAV, modified NTC)

[Tyler]

Mason Raymond is a absolute bum.

Incredibly weak. Unsteady on his feet. Speed with no benefits. Doesn't hit. Forechecks with one hand. Has lost the ability to score. Is a defensive liability on his zone. Passing game is brutal.

I don't see a future with him on this team.

[Hemi-Cuda]

Making this contract more than 2 years has been Treliving's biggest mistake so far IMO

[Roof-Daddy]

1 goal and 4 points in his last 14 games....and a -8

Terrible

[GoJetsGo]

He just has terrible hockey IQ. He is always trying to cycle the puck along the wall 90% of the time takes a low percentage shot at the net that is quickly sent racing the other way to our end.

He is horrible at passing and almost never utilizes his team mates properly.

Really sucks we're tied to him for two more seasons. I'd have no problem waiving him. We'd be much better served with a younger player in that spot.

[Caged Great]

I'd let him play out the rest of this season and try to trade him to somewhere else at the draft. If not, give him the same treatment that Setoguchi had at the beginning of the season. If he doesn't rebound next year, send him to Stockton.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by Caged Great

I'd let him play out the rest of this season and try to trade him to somewhere else at the draft. If not, give him the same treatment that Setoguchi had at the beginning of the season. If he doesn't rebound next year, send him to Stockton.

When Byron comes back I'd let him sit out the rest of the season....and then yeah, what you said.

[activeStick]

I've focused on him over the last month or so and he's unwilling to battle along the boards. Very frustrating to watch him peel away from hits only to lose the puck everytime. He is just isn't interested in it

[Anduril]

For a guy who's main (and only) asset is his speed, I see very little of it game to game. From carrying the puck in to back checking, he skates the game slow and thinks even slower.

... And that's not even taking into account his weak stick checks and Bambi like strength on his feet.

[AC]

I don't dislike Raymond, but he certainly has been disappointing for 95% of the season so far.

I do feel like he could still be an impact player if he clicked with the right linemates... he and Colborne don't seem suited for each other at all. Raymond is all about the rush and doing the curl up to open up a lane for himself or for a trailer, while Colborne is puck possession in the corners before cycling into the slot for a chance. They do not compliment each other at all.

[868904]

Originally Posted by GoJetsGo

He just has terrible hockey IQ. He is always trying to cycle the puck along the wall 90% of the time takes a low percentage shot at the net that is quickly sent racing the other way to our end.

He is horrible at passing and almost never utilizes his team mates properly.

Really sucks we're tied to him for two more seasons. I'd have no problem waiving him. We'd be much better served with a younger player in that spot.

Does this mean he's got good advanced stats?

Seriously he's been a huge disappointment. It was a tough situation for Treliving as the Flames clearly needed some scoring depth. There just weren't great options out there.

Got me thinking that maybe that trade for Riberio would have worked out better had they told Riberio that they were going to keep him rather than buy him out. Despite all the baggage, Riberio would be a huge offensive upgrade for the Flames over Raymond. Plus the flames would have picked up an extra first rounder too. Sounds like Riberio has changed his ways too so in hindsight i5 may have been a really good option.

Man that's how bad Raymond has been that I would rather have Riberio.

[killer_carlson]

neither Colborne or Raymond will be here long term. Both fill a short term need and will be replaced when the prospects force them out in a year or two.

[Heavy Jack]

I dont know about pushing Colborne out that quickly. He had a tough injury that sidelined him for some time earlier this year but managed to match his 18 assists this year in 26 less games and also has 10 games left to match his 10 goals from last year which would also be in significantly less games. He's a big body, he's still young, strong along the boards, added 10 lbs of muscle in the off-season and it has showed in his game, another 5-10 lbs over this summer and I could see him having another strong season that builds upon his first two. He's a team guy and plays with a lot more heart and determination than Raymond seems to and I'd like to see him stick around a few more years and hopefully earn a longer-term contract before throwing in the towel on him.

[FBI]

Raymond is like a less tenacious Blake Comeau. Skates arounds and takes bad shots

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

Making this contract more than 2 years has been Treliving's biggest mistake so far IMO

Why? He will likely be better in the 2nd year of the deal. If it was a 4 year deal then maybe you could look at it as a mistake but I feel confident he will be a better player next year for this team as I subscribe to the adage that it sometimes takes a player a year to feel comfortable on a new team. Guys like Hudler and Russell have got better every season for the Flames as they have become more comfortable.

[hackamore]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Why? He will likely be better in the 2nd year of the deal. If it was a 4 year deal then maybe you could look at it as a mistake but I feel confident he will be a better player next year for this team as I subscribe to the adage that it sometimes takes a player a year to feel comfortable on a new team. Guys like Hudler and Russell have got better every season for the Flames as they have become more comfortable.

Totally agree. He has never had more goals than assists in a season, so he is more than capable of setting up plays, and connecting passes. This has been his worse season yet so hopefully should trend upwards. He will never be a physical force which seems to piss every fan base off, but coming into camp hurt, then re-injured ten games in, new systems, and constant new line mates has not helped his game this year. He needs to step up and play better, as do a few others on the team, but he has the skills to improve his play over this year.

[Locke]

Lately hes been like Matthew Lombardi except with worse hands. If thats possible.

[thymebalm]

Originally Posted by Locke

Lately hes been like Matthew Lombardi except with worse hands. If thats possible.

And less speed.

[Hot_Flatus]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

When Byron comes back I'd let him sit out the rest of the season....and then yeah, what you said.

If you think that Byron gives this team more than Raymond or any other forward for that matter I really have to ask you to take off the rose colored glasses. Raymond's play nor his contract hurt the Flames at all, a rough first season here marred by injuries....something we've all seen before and will see again with other players.

The fact the Raymond hasn't had the luxury of playing with any players regularly outside of Colborne, who has proven to be pretty one dimensional goes to show why his statistics are so unbalanced - the guy is still on pace of 20 goals.

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by Hot_Flatus

If you think that Byron gives this team more than Raymond or any other forward for that matter I really have to ask you to take off the rose colored glasses. Raymond's play nor his contract hurt the Flames at all, a rough first season here marred by injuries....something we've all seen before and will see again with other players.

Byron is far better in his own end than Raymond. I would also say that Byron uses his speed far better than Raymond. Unfortunately Byron can't finish worth a damm.

[GettinIggyWithIt]

Originally Posted by Hot_Flatus

If you think that Byron gives this team more than Raymond or any other forward for that matter I really have to ask you to take off the rose colored glasses. Raymond's play nor his contract hurt the Flames at all, a rough first season here marred by injuries....something we've all seen before and will see again with other players.

What exactly has Raymond provided for this team? He's been slow, shown some very low hockey IQ, weak on the puck and has been playing on the perimeter all season.I am not sure how anyone could pick Raymond over Byron at this point. Raymond has been very disappointing given his contract and what he was expected to provide. Meanwhile Byron has been more than fair value for his contract and his role in the lineup. His finish is probably the only thing that people question and even then he has only 1 less point than Raymond in only 9 more GP. Whether Raymond has a bounce back season next season or not is irrelevant for the rest of the season. He's been disappointing this season and I would take Byron over him for the rest of the season if that was the decision to make.