When Treliving mentioned they had a couple offers out to European free agents I assumed they would be looking at players a bit younger than 25. This doesn't mean they aren't, of course, it just caught me off guard as to the players I had been looking for as possibilities.
While most of the good free agents have already been scooped up, there are still a few that I would be mildly interested in to trial in Stockton and in light of our present draft pick situation.
Dominik Kubalik (22 YO 6'2 LS LW) - He was nothing notable as a teenager but has had an excellent transition to the pro game. A late bloomer. He had a decent Olympics and was terrific at the World Championships. I'm admittedly not up to speed on draft pick right retention so he may not actually be a free agent.
Marc Michaelis (22 YO 5'10 LS LW) - The small winger has had two monster years in the WCHC. All offense, and coach Ward may be familiar with him as a German national - although one who has spend four or five years in North America. Decent at the World Championships. Likely going back to school.
Pius Suter (22 YO 5'9 LS C) - Undersized centre who struggled at first to translate from the OHL to pro but had a breakout season. One time thing or sign of things to come? He stood out as a relative unknown at the Olympics.
Dominic Zwerger (21 YO 6'0 LS LW) - Not the quickest skater and there were questions whether he could translate his game to the pro game - which he has. Familiar with the West having played in the WHL. Decent showing at the World Championships considering his age.
__________________ "I think the eye test is still good, but analytics can sure give you confirmation: what you see...is that what you really believe?" Scotty Bowman, 0 NHL games played
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For NHL teams taking flyers on Euro free agents, 24 year old to 27 year old are kind of the sweet spot in terms of contracts.
In the 24 to 27 range, Euro free agents that are new to the NHL are limited to 1 year ELCs by the CBA. Which is advantageous to the team in terms of contract length, contract limit, roster spots, and financially. If it doesn't work out they can just part ways at the end of the season.
It may also be more to the player's liking as well. Take their shot in North America and if they don't like it, they can return to Europe after a year.
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I don’t expect too many of our AHL FA’s to be back (even RFA’s). The tweeners like Shinkaruk could go to Europe ala Linden Vey, they get more money there, play top 6, and don’t have to live in Stockton. I think the turnover will be very high and I have no problem with that.
The Flames only have 28 active contracts. That's the 3rd fewest in the league.
Yasin Ehliz doesn't sound too great to me. But the Flames can and should make several depth signings.
This gives me a lot of hope for the upcoming season because a lot of the expiring contracts are in the bottom 6. The Flames should be able to remake the bottom 6.
This gives me a lot of hope for the upcoming season because a lot of the expiring contracts are in the bottom 6. The Flames should be able to remake the bottom 6.
See I'm worried about this. Is Tre going to do a quality for quantity trade to fix the bottom 6, or dip into UFA? I think both are undesirable as we'll just end up losing the trade in the long run or overpaying in ufa.
What we really need is internal growth where guys like foo and mangiapane make the team on merit. Use the farm team to supplement the big team. We need to do more of this or this rut of mediocrity will continue.
See I'm worried about this. Is Tre going to do a quality for quantity trade to fix the bottom 6, or dip into UFA? I think both are undesirable as we'll just end up losing the trade in the long run or overpaying in ufa.
What we really need is internal growth where guys like foo and mangiapane make the team on merit. Use the farm team to supplement the big team. We need to do more of this or this rut of mediocrity will continue.
In order for that internal growth to materialize into something worthwhile I hope Peters is a coach that actually challenges the call ups and puts them in a situation where they have a chance to succeed. Gulutzan did that with Jankowski to some extent, giving him decent linemates and some ice time and responsibility to work with, but when it comes to Mangiapane, Lomberg, Hrivik etc. they just got stuffed on the very bottom end of the roster or sat in the press box, and that hasn't worked out for us as long as I can remember. Foo got a decent chance at the end of the season and did well for himself, but only because we were already out of it, otherwise he would probably have been stuck with Stajan and Lazar for 7 minutes a game as well.
the calgary flames announced today the signing of german forward, yasin ehliz and swedish defenceman, marcus hogstrom both to two-way contracts.
Ehliz, a native of bad tolz, germany played last season as a member of the nuermberg ice tigers of the deutsche eishhockey liga (del) in germany. The 25-year-old notched ten goals and 21 assists for 31 points in 46 games. Ehliz also represented germany in the 2018 olympic winter games where he notched three points in seven games and suited up for germany at the 2018 world championships this past may where he recorded three goals and two assists for five points in seven games.
Term: 1 year (entry-level)
aav: $650,000
hogstrom, a native of sveg, sweden skated for djurgardens if of the swedish hockey league (shl) last season where he posted three goals and 20 assists for 23 points in 50 games. The 29-year-old has 19 goals and 68 assists for 87 points in 207 games in the shl split between djurgardens if, timra ik, and skelleftea aik.
Term: 1 year
aav: $700,000
Last edited by sureLoss; 06-11-2018 at 03:04 PM.
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