Flames pending UFA defencemen 2022

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by 1qqaaz

Maybe I missed something, because I thought Gudbranson was fine in the playoffs. There was some almost sure-goals that he blocked or swatted away.
Many guys had ups and downs, but he was pretty steady.

For Gudbranson and Zadorov, much of their success came from Sutter's utilization and style. It's possible that the players and opposing teams know this.

I wouldn't be surprised if Zadorov is overpaid by another team next year. I also wouldn't be surprised if Gudbranson knows that the Flames may be the best fit for him.
Stone too.

I would rather give Mangiapane term than keep these guys. They're a bit lower on the priority/to-do list.

I liked Gudbranson in the playoffs until Tanev got hurt. Tanev being hurt really showed that Gudbranson is a 3rd pairing guy who can't slide up the roster. If we can pay him a 3rd pairing rate, I'd love to have him back - but that's the top-end of his skillset. To me, he showed he can't play above the 3rd pairing. Him on the 3rd unit and on the PK? Love it.

[1qqaaz]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

I liked Gudbranson in the playoffs until Tanev got hurt. Tanev being hurt really showed that Gudbranson is a 3rd pairing guy who can't slide up the roster. If we can pay him a 3rd pairing rate, I'd love to have him back - but that's the top-end of his skillset. To me, he showed he can't play above the 3rd pairing. Him on the 3rd unit and on the PK? Love it.

I agree, and this may be wishful thinking, but I think Gubranson might realize this as well.

He should be paid as such.

And again, this is with the coach utilizing him optimally.

[greyshep]

Just posting to bump this above the "signing" thread from the start of the season (that should be locked).

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by greyshep

Just posting to bump this above the "signing" thread from the start of the season (that should be locked).

You will drive yourself crazy trying to stay on top of this

[SeanCharles]

Yea I tend to agree in that I am happy with the right side of our D but wouldn’t mind upgrades on the left.

I hated Zadorov at the start of the year but he really grew on me but come playoff time he seemed to struggle again. He is a luxury we can’t afford anymore.

I’m willing to see if Kylington can build off this season, he took a big step last offseason so you know he will continue to work and come back even better.

When it comes to Hanifin I was never really a big fan but then his game started to come along near the end of the season but then he crashed again in the playoffs. He, IMO, is a #3 Dman. He won’t ever be an ideal top pair guy.

I wouldn’t be against trying to trade him somehow in a way that nets us Chychrun as suggested.

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by rogermexico

Who do you want back and why?

Just Stone. Because he'll sign for cheap and knows his role.

There is absolutely no way we can keep the other two... we have big ticket players we need to resign and we can't do that by handing out that kind of scratch to the bottom pairing.

[Yrebmi]

Originally Posted by greyshep

Just posting to bump this above the "signing" thread from the start of the season (that should be locked).

I wish signing threads had dates in the title.

[gvitaly]

As much as we need to figure out the mess at forward I think that Defense was the weak link in the playoffs. Injuries are a huge part of it, however I think we should have more flexibility between the 1st and 2nd pairing. Essentially we have 1 Defenseman that can play with anyone, and that's Tanev. Hanifin and Andersson while good together seemed much worse with other partners.

Currently we have 3 top 4 defensemen, and one 4/5 defensemen in Kylington. Ideally I would have Kylington on the 3rd pairing. And keep 2 of Mackey / Valimaki / Stone / Gudbranson as the 6th and 7th D.

Here are a few D-men that I think can be interesting trade/ufa targets to round out the D. A lot of them are defensive defenseman so they suffer a bit in the analytics department.
Trade Route

• Ryan Graves
  • 27 year old LD
  • 1 year reamining at $3.167M AAV
  • 6G 28P in 75gp
  • 6'5", 220lbs
  • I like his game, I think he is just rounding out his game and is going to be a very good D after Sutter and Huska are done with him. I think he would slot in well with Andersson while Hanifin - Tanev would be my go to first pairing.
• Scott Mayfield
  • 29 year old RD
  • 1 year reamining at $1.450M AAV
  • 3G 15P in 61gp
  • 6'5", 223lbs
  • Don't expect any points from the guy, but he is a decent defensive defenseman. In the case Kylington stays glued to Tanev for one more season I think he can anchor the 3rd pairing, and step into the top 4 with ease. I'm a little cautious about Treliving trading with Lou Lamoriello after the Hamonic trade though.
• Jamie Oleksiak
  • 29 year old LD/RD shoots left though
  • 4 years reamining at $4.600M AAV, NMC
  • 1G 17P in 72gp
  • 6'7", 255lbs
  • I think he is a beast of a defensive defenseman that would look great on a first pairing with Andersson. This again creates a very formidable pairing of Hanifin - Tanev, and rounds out the D nicely. I think he is really hard to play against, but was sunk by subpar goaltending this season. I don't see Seattle improving any time soon so he might not fit their window.
• Brenden Dillon
  • 31 year old LD
  • 2 years reamining at $3.900M AAV
  • 3G 20P in 79gp
  • 6'4", 225lbs
  • Another steady defenseman that hits a lot. Admittedly I didn't watch too much of him this year, but I remember him being tough to play against which is a common theme with my list. I think he could slot in nicely in a top 4 role on this team.

Free Agents

• Ian Cole
  • 33 year old LD/RD shoots eft
  • Previous cap hit: $2.9M
  • 2G 19P in 75gp
  • 6'1", 225lbs
  • Another defensive defenseman that can work well on the 3rd pairing, especially if we're going to bring up a younger D like Valimaki or Mackey to play there full time this year.
• Ben Chiarot
  • 31 year old LD/RD shoots left
  • Previous cap hit: $3.5M
  • 9G 26P in 74gp
  • 6'3", 234lbs
  • He looks like a Sutter fit at first glance, but I think he will be overpaid for what he brings. I have some questions about his defensive game and would be hesitant to plug him into our top 4.
• Zedeno Chara
  • 45 year old LD
  • Previous cap hit: $0.75M
  • 2G 12P in 72gp
  • 6'9", 250lbs
  • Much like Jagr he is a legend I would love to play for the Flames. I don't know if he's going to play next year, or if he would even consider Calgary. That said, I think a lot of our D would benefit greatly from having him on the team for a year as the 6th/7th D.

Hopefully this will start off some more discussion regarding the options we have on D, feel free to add to the list, or to tell me all those players are garbage lol.

[Roof-Daddy]

lol Ben Chiarot.

Guaranteed the Flames kick tires on that guy

[FlamesAddiction]

I could see the Flames having interest in Josh Manson. Not as productive as he used to be, but having a pretty good playoffs, and we know how much Treliving and Sutter value playoff experience, especially if it is recent. I wouldn't over pay for a guy like that, but at the right price it might be a good fit.

[GS Skier]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

I liked Gudbranson in the playoffs until Tanev got hurt. Tanev being hurt really showed that Gudbranson is a 3rd pairing guy who can't slide up the roster. If we can pay him a 3rd pairing rate, I'd love to have him back - but that's the top-end of his skillset. To me, he showed he can't play above the 3rd pairing. Him on the 3rd unit and on the PK? Love it.

Agree with that however don't forget the extra police factor he brings. The guy is 6'5" 220. Zadorov will be gone and possibly Lucic and FWIW Lucic will be gone in a year.

Gudransons is a 3rd pair/PK/ and a sound heavy weight class scrapper and that does still have added value.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

lol Ben Chiarot.

Guaranteed the Flames kick tires on that guy

Unfortunately it will probably happen. I just hope there's a more desperate team out there, preferably in the division. The Athletic pretty well sums this guy up perfectly.

Ben Chiarot

Projected contract: $5.5 million x four years

Analytics folks hate him, hockey men love him. He’s projected to provide negative value next year (minus-0.6 wins to be exact), but he’s probably not that bad. He’s not as good as his big minutes suggest either. His true utility is probably closer to rugged third pairing guy, but it’s unlikely he’s paid like that. God speed to the poor sap that pays a massive price for him. At his projected contract, Chiarot would be a day one buyout candidate with a deal that would be impossible to live up to.

[Flamesfan05]

Sutter is going to need at least a couple big dmen.
Any cheap one available?

Gud and zadorov are going to be overpriced for bottom pair.
The Flames problem is the top pair but that ain’t going to be fixed

[GioforPM]

I think Z will be priced out. I don’t think Gudbranson will be, and frankly, he’s the more consistent guy. Z has more skill, but that’s not really the issue on that pairing.

Big UFA D? Josh Manson, Josh Brown, Connor Murphy, Edler,

[Phaneuf_Phan]

Re-sign all 3 of the D-men and the team stays strong next season. How to pay for it? Have to let Johnny walk.

[Bonded]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Unfortunately it will probably happen. I just hope there's a more desperate team out there, preferably in the division. The Athletic pretty well sums this guy up perfectly.

I'd rather pay Zadarov that contract

[Icon]

Originally Posted by Phaneuf_Phan

Re-sign all 3 of the D-men and the team stays strong next season. How to pay for it? Have to let Johnny walk.

... And we score significantly less goals and lose significantly more games.

I liked what all 3 brought this year, but if they all want a raise, I don't think it's impossible to replace them all either, for cheaper, and have similar performance. None of these 3 are part of the backbone of the team D going forward imo.

[Roof-Daddy]

Let the biggest piece of the best 5v5 line in the entire league last season go in order to sign three #4-6 defensemen?

How not to build a team 101

[Flamesfan05]

Originally Posted by Phaneuf_Phan

Re-sign all 3 of the D-men and the team stays strong next season. How to pay for it? Have to let Johnny walk.

Let your best player go to sign bottom pairing dmen

Good strategy for Bedard

[Inferno099]

Originally Posted by Psytic

I liked all of them but it was clear the current mix cant handle fast teams so something has to change some where and I'm not sure internal growth is enough. I also dont think the Flames can afford to drop all their toughness either so its hard to say what they should do.

Flames were a fast team this season. Do not underestimate the NHL HQ game management. It happened, so now The Flames know game management will provide McDavid his regular 4 -4 and next season if they have Gaudreau they will have to be ready to adapt to Oilers or others strengths.

Before the series I thought they would have performed better than they did.

Hopefully they learn and Gaudreau is back next season.