2014 NHL Free Agency

[jesters91]

Originally Posted by The Fonz

I think we get Niskanen.

It'll be an ugly contract though.

He will be over-paid and have better options July 1st than a team in year 2 of a rebuild.

[AC]

Originally Posted by jesters91

He will be over-paid and have better options July 1st than a team in year 2 of a rebuild.

Yeah, we're not going to be able to recruit the top tier of UFAs most likely.

The goalie might be the easiest to fill as we can offer a chance at proving yourself to someone looking for a bounce back, IE: Hiller.

For defence, we might have to settle for a younger less experienced guy who is close to emerging or an older vet looking for a good landing spot.

[dammage79]

Right! Kulemin too! I remember watching a thing on TSN about him as he was second fiddle to Grabovski at the time. Made me a fan of his.

Endless work ethic, works hard every practice, very driven person.
Kind of guy that would fit with a youthful team like this one. LH shot but generally works the RW if I am not mistaken. Denitely a top 6 RW on this roster.

And he's 27, on the other side of the age bracket the Flames are hunting for but young enough to offer a good three year deal for.

Great PK guy, probably a good second PP unit player too.

Mason Raymond can also play RW, speed to burn and looked great on the "show me" contract he was on last year

Definitely a couple of guys that would feed off of the youth on the team.

Let's not forget there's a true RH RW on the market potentially in Devon Setoguchi. His drive to compete may be suspect but who knows.

[Split98]

Quincey would be another guy I'd like seeing on the Flames. I know he's not the right shot we're coveting right now, but he plays RD on Detroit. Detroit, btw, I don't think played a right shooting defenceman all year from what I can tell looking at their roster. Maybe we're making a bigger deal of this than we need to be?

[jesters91]

Originally Posted by AC

Yeah, we're not going to be able to recruit the top tier of UFAs most likely.

The goalie might be the easiest to fill as we can offer a chance at proving yourself to someone looking for a bounce back, IE: Hiller.

For defence, we might have to settle for a younger less experienced guy who is close to emerging or an older vet looking for a good landing spot.

I think the Canuckleheads will go hard after Hiller. They have free'd up some cap space this weekend and there is no way they can start the season with Lack and Markstrom and have any serious thoughts of being playoff contenders.

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by Split98

Quincey would be another guy I'd like seeing on the Flames. I know he's not the right shot we're coveting right now, but he plays RD on Detroit. Detroit, btw, I don't think played a right shooting defenceman all year from what I can tell looking at their roster. Maybe we're making a bigger deal of this than we need to be?

Looking at the Kings back end, Doughty, Voynov, Greene as RH shots. If they're the template, then yes RH is a big deal.

[dammage79]

And, with all things Eklund comes this:

The Caps, The Flames and Devils have surfaced in Vanek talks...

[Enoch Root]

just for perspective, the Flames need to spend at least $10.6M on 8 players (4 F, 3 D, 1 G)

shouldn't be a problem at all

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

just for perspective, the Flames need to spend at least $10.6M on 8 players (4 F, 3 D, 1 G)

shouldn't be a problem at all

Trelving wants to leave room for some of the kids, think Bouma, Reinhart, Wotherspoon and Granlund are the strongest candidates.

I'm referencing his post draft interview on the Flames website.

[AC]

Originally Posted by dammage79

Trelving wants to leave room for some of the kids, think Bouma, Reinhart, Wotherspoon and Granlund are the strongest candidates.

I'd have to think Bouma is considered full-time at this point.

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

just for perspective, the Flames need to spend at least $10.6M on 8 players (4 F, 3 D, 1 G)

shouldn't be a problem at all

Colborne and Bouma can be qualified for $660k and $635k respectively.

Is it possible either gets more than that?

If not, we'll have to spend $9.36M on 6 players. An average of $1.56M per player.

The average increases for every younger player that also makes the team next year. Several candidates in Gaudreau, Wotherspoon, Knight, Baertschi, Arnold, Agostino, Wolf, Granlund, and Reinhart.

We almost need to bring in a high priced UFA to bridge the gap I figure.

[trackercowe]

There sure are a lot of overpaid players on that list. Of all of them the only ones who can expect to sign similar deals are Vanek, Iginla, and maybe Boyle with all the talk surrounding him. Miller to I suppose will get paid well, but only if a team is willing to bring him in after a mediocre run in St. Louis (hopefully Vancouver). Everyone else on that list is pretty much on borrowed time at this point in their careers. It kind of shows what type of players end up in free agency these days (old or replaceable players). It's nearly impossible to build a contender through free agency. July 1st is essentially becoming the day for decrepit hasbeens.

[calgarybean]

Trades including salary movement will be the route the Flames go (hopefully). No one on this list really excite me except keeping Cammalleri - he knows the system, can score, help the kids. If the Flames are out around deadline day he goes to a contender - win/win.

A devil you know approach but with us rebuilding for a few years I'm not sure how a UFA helps. The cap being lower this year only helps us.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by AC

I'd have to think Bouma is considered full-time at this point.


Colborne and Bouma can be qualified for $660k and $635k respectively.

Is it possible either gets more than that?

If not, we'll have to spend $9.36M on 6 players. An average of $1.56M per player.

The average increases for every younger player that also makes the team next year. Several candidates in Gaudreau, Wotherspoon, Knight, Baertschi, Arnold, Agostino, Wolf, Granlund, and Reinhart.

We almost need to bring in a high priced UFA to bridge the gap I figure.

I doubt Bouma and Colborne get that.

I see Bouma, Colborne and Byron re-signing for a combined $4 - $4.5M

That would mean 5 more players totalling $6 - $6.5M

I think there will be 1 F, 1 D, and a back-up G being signed or traded for.

It won't be a problem and doesn't require the Flames blowing their brains out.

[Poe969]

On d I want niskanen and stoner. Up front I'd like some one year contracts to older guys like Heatley, havlat, vbrata, hell even Richards if he took a one year deal. Long term deals shouldn't be handed out to any of these guys.... I like our goalie situation, don't think we need help back there.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

I doubt Bouma and Colborne get that.

I see Bouma, Colborne and Byron re-signing for a combined $4 - $4.5M

Those three combined won't be more than $3 million total, and likely less IMO. I don't think a single one of them will end up with a cap hit of $1 million or more.

Probably looking at between $700,000 to $900,000 each or so.

[flamesfan1297]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

Those three combined won't be more than $3 million total, and likely less IMO. I don't think a single one of them will end up with a cap hit of $1 million or more.

Probably looking at between $700,000 to $900,000 each or so.

I think Colborne should get 950,000 and Bouma should get 1.2. Million. He's a heart and soul guy, key part of this team. The way he plays he won't be able to play forever. Byron maybe at around 900,000 at most

[AC]

Can't forget Kevin Hayes either if he and Chicago can't come to an agreement. Again, not because he played with Gaudreau and Arnold but because he's a legitimate big RW prospect with talent.

[djsFlames]

Matt Niskanen looks at Calgary's bright future with the likes of Bennett, Monahan, Gaudreau, Gio etc. Jumps on monster offer cause we have the $$$, much to the dismay and shock of the rest of the league.

Winning.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by AC

Can't forget Kevin Hayes either if he and Chicago can't come to an agreement. Again, not because he played with Gaudreau and Arnold but because he's a legitimate big RW prospect with talent.

July 1st deadline?


Edit: Aug 15th I see...

[AC]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

July 1st deadline?


Edit: Aug 15th I see...

Yeah good catch, its August 15th.

I suppose if we were so inclined and the talks went sour with Chicago we could acquire his rights.