NHL Free Agent Frenzy July 1st.

[Gaudfather]

On Fan 960 right now they are discussing the prospect of adding Justin Williams as a RHS winger - he has reasonable size, some grit and knows a thing or two about winning - possibility?

[Da_Chief]

I hope they look into him. But obviously term/dollars have to make sense.

3 years 15 mill? any more or any longer and I'd walk away.

[heep223]

I know we're all excited, but adding an older overpaid UFA to try and plug a hole is exactly what I don't want to happen. Stay the course we are still rebuilding.

[Poe969]

I'd rather have Porier step up and take a spot instead of Williams and the contract it'll take to get him. Guys like Williams and Ward aren't going to sigh 2 year sweetheart deals, they're going to want term and dollars. The Flames don't need anyone like that.

I'd rather go after Odya and to be honest, I think Stewart is going to sign a good deal and he'd be worth the risk if the contract was 2 years.

[kn]

Friedman mentioned this morning on 960 that San Jose has inquired about Hiller. Stalock is the only goalie they have under contract on their active roster.

[Moneyhands23]

Originally Posted by Poe969

I'd rather have Porier step up and take a spot instead of Williams and the contract it'll take to get him. Guys like Williams and Ward aren't going to sigh 2 year sweetheart deals, they're going to want term and dollars. The Flames don't need anyone like that.

I'd rather go after Odya and to be honest, I think Stewart is going to sign a good deal and he'd be worth the risk if the contract was 2 years.

I love the idea of poirier stepping it up and grab ing a spot! Hopefully he hits it hard over the summer and comes in hot.

Also I think if Morrison or Wotherspoon can push for 5/6 I think the Flames should be in great shape.

No need to sign anyone in free agency.

[Mister Yamoto]

Take care of our guys first.

I don't really like the idea of opening the vaults for a guy who has given the Flames 0 games, like say a Frolik, and then play hardball with a guy who has given his all to the Flames, like Bouma for example.

Go free agent shopping on August 1st, not July 1st.

[transplant99]

I don't mind the idea of Williams. You have to have some experience on those top lines, and with the likelihood that Hudler wont be back a season from now (if not sooner) he is the kind of guy that makes a ton of sense. His pedigree in important games is undeniable and he knows what it takes to grind through long seasons, and more importantly, long playoff runs.

[Poe969]

We do still need a goalie though. I figure Hiller will go to either the Sharks or the Stars. Lets hope Treliving can pull another magical deal and get us the perfect goalie too!

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

The main issue with the UFA's these days is term. You just cannot afford to sign middling players to 5 year deals (or longer in many cases). But they'll hold out until they get 'em, and some GM will give it to them because that's longer than their likely GM lifespan.

Giving Williams a 5 year deal would be an awful move.

[sureLoss]

One surprising name so far as QO news is coming through is the Lightning don't qualify Mark Barberio.

Don't think he would be a fit with the Flames, but could be a useful depth defenceman.

Put up 61pts in 74 AHL games 11/12

[codynw]

Originally Posted by Poe969

We do still need a goalie though. I figure Hiller will go to either the Sharks or the Stars. Lets hope Treliving can pull another magical deal and get us the perfect goalie too!

Carey Price for a 1st, 2nd and 3rd in 2016.

[CanucksWorstNightmare]

I really want the Flames to sign Drew Stafford sounds like he would be the perfect fit. Right Wing -- shoots R
Born Oct 30 1985 -- Milwaukee, WI
[29 yrs. ago]
Height 6.02 -- Weight 214 [188 cm/97 kg]. Stafford is a player with good size and strength who possesses excellent hockey sense. While he is listed at 200 lbs. he looks to be a bit on the thin side. He possesses very good hand-eye coordination along with a long reach. Stafford is a player who has the ability to really step up his game and plays very well at both ends of the ice. He’s an excellent skater with good hustle and acceleration. His play along the boards and in the corners is also quite good, with the ability to grind things out. He maneuvers very well around opposing defensemen, at times making some highlight reel moves. He’s willing to drive to the net and is able to create havoc around it. He can deliver as well as take the punishing checks and doesn’t shy away from the physical aspects of the game. He sees the ice and anticipates remarkably well. He possesses some nice hands and good passing ability. His awareness both offensively and defensively allows him to play in any situation. His outstanding work ethic hasn’t gone unnoticed either.

[polak]

Originally Posted by heep223

I know we're all excited, but adding an older overpaid UFA to try and plug a hole is exactly what I don't want to happen. Stay the course we are still rebuilding.

Are we though?

Defense looks set.
We have one of the best top lines in the league.

We have plenty of players that can fill out the bottom 9. All we really lack is 2 wingers to flank Bennett on the second line and an elite goalie.

I think we can easily splurge on one of those wingers and see what he have in Otrio and Porier this season.

I mean, say we spend big money on a UFA? Does it really hurt the rebuild in anyway? Its not like we're going out and trading prospects for vets.

[MrMastodonFarm]

An elite goalie is a pretty big hole.

[Fire]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

An elite goalie is a pretty big hole.

Ortio will hopefully be that guy, and by looking at some of the past winners (Blackhawks, Penguins, Wings) you don't need elite goaltending to win the Stanley Cup.

[SuperMatt18]

After thinking about it, it really doesn't make much sense to be spending term and $$$ on a UFA forward.

Right now the depth chart looks like:

Gaudreau-Monahan-Hudler
Bouma - Backlund - Colborne
Ferland - Bennett - Jones
Jooris - Stajan - Shore
Bollig - Byron - Raymond

That is already 15 forwards on NHL contracts (if we qualify our NHL RFAs).

Plus you have guys like Arnold, Poirier, Granlund, Reinhart, Wolf, Klimchuk, Carroll, and Agostino who are going to be pushing for a taste of NHL action this year.

Unless the forward we are getting is a true top 6 forward (don't think Frolik or Stewart fit that bill) then I don't see the fit.

Goaltending should probably be biggest priority right now (if we are looking to trade Hiller).

[sureLoss]

Not surprising, but Odyua has officially announced he will test free agency

http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/blac...re-free-agency

[SuperMatt18]

There are 4 RFAs I would love to keep an eye on though, just in case the cap or contract negotiations cause issues.

Nyquist
Tarasenko
Boedker
Saad

[sureLoss]

5 teams have expressed interest in Ramo. Flames have also kept lines open with Ramo

http://espn.go.com/blog/nhl/post/_/i...rket-on-july-1

The Flames spent the draft weekend trying to trade for a goalie but a team source confirmed Monday they’ve also kept the lines open on Ramo. The concern for Calgary is the Flames have to be careful moving forward who they’re doling out long-term contracts to as they’ve got a young, emerging team withthat players are going to need to be re-upped over the next few seasons. General manager Brad Treliving is trying to be careful in how he manages his salary cap.

Meanwhile, other teams have also reached out to Ramo’s camp since the interview window opened last week.

"At least five teams, when I walked into the draft on Saturday morning I was bombarded," said Diamond.