Is Calgary more attractive to UFA's with Feaster gone?

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by afc wimbledon

Does it matter? free agents havn't been a key to success in years

That's not entirely true as some UFA's become key contributors. The problem is that GM's go all silly on July 1st overpaying players which hurts the odds of many of these big UFA signings of being successful in the long run. The problem with a lot of 30+ year old UFA's is that they get paid for what they did in the past rather than where their career is going and the smart signings are for the under the lower fanfare guys like Hudler that don't break the bank.

[dammage79]

It's rare you find foundation type players in the UFA market anymore. Just pieces to your team to round out the roster. I think the Flames got really lucky with Hudler.

You won't see the mega UFA anymore. I'd be shocked if a guy like Stamkos went UFA before he was traded to a team of his choice and re-sign.

The last player that was still in his prime years and was signed as a cornerstone IMO was Hossa when he signed in Chicago, and even that is debatable. He could still be seen as a player to round out the roster.

[GreenLantern]

Calgary's biggest asset for UFA's is cap room and owners that aren't afraid to spend..

A guy like Horton might look at Calgary the way he looked at Columbus, I will get paid.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern

Calgary's biggest asset for UFA's is cap room and owners that aren't afraid to spend..

A guy like Horton might look at Calgary the way he looked at Columbus, I will get paid.

Which brings up that Burke didn't have any cap room in Toronto to sign UFAs. Also Feaster had Iginla, which was a drawing card for UFAs when he signed Hudler and Wideman. I think that Burke has a far better rep amongst the hockey crowd than Feaster ever had, so this should favour him if he goes after certain players.

[calumniate]

I don't think the name of the GM has anything to do with it. It's mostly to do with the city, the competitiveness of the team, and where the wife prefers

[djsFlames]

Stupid thread is stupid.

UFAs surely didn't base their decision on the presence of Feaster, and they won't now. So many other factors that mean more to a player....

[Locke]

I dont see how. The team is still pretty bad and will be for a while.

The only UFAs that would want to sign here are either in it for an overpayment and arent the guys you're going to win with, or the marginal guys in it for an overpayment.

[4oh3]

Calgary is a beautiful city. Only downfall is the cold. If a player wants to play for the panthers because of the weather go ahead I'd rather play in calgary where hockey is number one then most places in the states

[johnnyluv]

Originally Posted by dammage79

It's rare you find foundation type players in the UFA market anymore. Just pieces to your team to round out the roster. I think the Flames got really lucky with Hudler.

You won't see the mega UFA anymore. I'd be shocked if a guy like Stamkos went UFA before he was traded to a team of his choice and re-sign.

The last player that was still in his prime years and was signed as a cornerstone IMO was Hossa when he signed in Chicago, and even that is debatable. He could still be seen as a player to round out the roster.

How about Suter (and Parise, to a lesser extent) in Minnesota? Granted, the team hasn't done all that much with them on the roster yet, but it'd be hard to argue that they aren't 2 of the 3 or 4 most important players on that team.

[TurnedTheCorner]

To OP: I don't think it makes a difference.

[Imported_Aussie]

Calgary has cap room and favourable taxes.
They have spaces in the lineup, but not the ability to win anytime soon.
Attractive destination for guys trying to get more $$$ or more minutes. Might be a good place for a guy looking to sign for short term, to parlay that into a bigger contract later.

[PeteMoss]

Originally Posted by Imported_Aussie

Calgary has cap room and favourable taxes.
They have spaces in the lineup, but not the ability to win anytime soon.
Attractive destination for guys trying to get more $$$ or more minutes. Might be a good place for a guy looking to sign for short term, to parlay that into a bigger contract later.

Exactly.. 90% of these decision I'd assume come down to money. I doubt Hudler and Wideman signed here because of the great locale... they were just offered more money to play here. With the cap space the team has we could go crazy offering up cash and land players if that is the plan (which I doubt it is)

[Northendzone]

in about two more months Burke is going to look like he belongs on the cast of Mountain Men - he might scare away potential FA's......

[Timbo]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

Stupid thread is stupid.

UFAs surely didn't base their decision on the presence of Feaster, and they won't now. So many other factors that mean more to a player....

Players have been known to want play with certain coaches, gms, players.

Yes there are other factors. Next time however, I will get your permission to start a discussion on a forum so I don't not risk making a stupid thread

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Timbo

Players have been known to want play with certain coaches, gms, players...

Players? Occasionally.

Coaches and general managers? Not at all as far as I can see. Can you think of a single instance in which a UFA has opted to sign with a team specifically because of who is coaching, or who happens to be the GM?

Even with players, I think that this occurring is really rare. For the most part—and I'm merely echoing what others have already clearly explained—players care about winning, and they care about earning top dollar. UFA's select their destination on the basis of these primary criteria.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Players? Occasionally.

Coaches and general managers? Not at all as far as I can see. Can you think of a single instance in which a UFA has opted to sign with a team specifically because of who is coaching, or who happens to be the GM?

Even with players, I think that this occurring is really rare. For the most part—and I'm merely echoing what others have already clearly explained—players care about winning, and they care about earning top dollar. UFA's select their destination on the basis of these primary criteria.

Brad Richards specifically mentioned that playing under Torterella was a big factor in him signing in New York. Not the only one, obviously, but he certainly went out of his way to mention it as a big factor.

[Dion]

The fact we are a rebuilding team creates opportunities for players that they might not get alsewhere. Just look what playing here has done for Russell and the playing time he has got. He was given an opportunity and has proven to be avaluable asset for the Flames. Chances are he will resign here if given another contract offer.

[Meers]

Originally Posted by dammage79

The last player that was still in his prime years and was signed as a cornerstone IMO was Hossa when he signed in Chicago, and even that is debatable. He could still be seen as a player to round out the roster.

Minnesota says hi.

[Stupid]

I think it might help a minimal amount.
Does it hurt? No.
Does it do something? Yes (but very little)

I think Feaster's image probably had negative value so with him out of the way, there's possibility for improvement. I guess it depends on who we end up signing in the end.
If we end up with someone who's the proud owner of a reputation worse than Feaster's; nope won't help.

[dammage79]

Alright. An oversight by me on the Minnesota part. That being said though. It was pretty much a foregone conclusion even before the FA period that those two were destined for Minnesota. Even on Cp.