[News] Vancouver waives Ballard. Update: Ballard will be bought out

[Bertuzzied]

Ballard on the Flames?!!! are you guys insane??

[StrykerSteve]

He's 31, do not want.

[Tinordi]

Post-crapex

[Lanny'sDaMan]

The Flames want to get younger, smarter, faster, bigger. Ballard is the opposite of all of these things.

Double Maximum pass thank you.

[OzSome]

I would rather see Butler playing more than having Ballard here. I thought Butler so much better and got more confidence last season. I get it why people don't like the guy, he was playing #1 or #2 D-pairing instead of #3 pairing. I would also rather see a young guy like John Ramage, Breen, Cundari on the lineup than signing Ballard. No thanks! If we are going to rebuild, then rebuild.

[kehatch]

The Flames top 4 so far is:

Giordano-Wideman
Butler-Brodie

We can't go forward with that mess.

I would prefer Ballard over spending assets on a trade or overpaying someone July 5.

[Calgary4LIfe]

Originally Posted by kehatch

The Flames top 4 so far is:

Giordano-Wideman
Butler-Brodie

We can't go forward with that mess.

I would prefer Ballard over spending assets on a trade or overpaying someone July 5.

I think with the cap going down this year, there will be some bargain hunting going on in the UFA market.

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by kehatch

The Flames top 4 so far is:

Giordano-Wideman
Butler-Brodie

We can't go forward with that mess.

I would prefer Ballard over spending assets on a trade or overpaying someone July 5.

I fully agree that top 4 is horrible. Has to be one of the worst in the league, if not the worst. The problem is as bad is that is, Ballard could not beat out any of those 4 for top 4. Butler gets a lot of hate and i could do without him but he is better than slow ageing Ballard.

SOB is going to get 70+ games on the bottom pairing so our goaltenders don't get run. That leaves one spot, and i would much rather have Cundari or Breen in instead of Ballard. Also SOB with Ballard would be horrible to watch.

Flames should not be bringing anybody in unless they are a legit top 4 Dman. Adding another useless plug for bottom pairing will not get the flames anymore wins and will take time away from the youngsters.

[kehatch]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

I think with the cap going down this year, there will be some bargain hunting going on in the UFA market.

Given the Flames commitment to a rebuild, the only way we attract players is to overpay for them. Plus, this is a weak free agency group.

[Enoch Root]

I would MUCH rather give $4m to Ference than to Ballard

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

I would MUCH rather give $4m to Ference than to Ballard

I echo this sentiment. Although I think he can be had for less.

[Poe969]

Originally Posted by Tinordi

Post-crapex

Disagree. I think Ballard is right in the mids of his crappiness

[kehatch]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

I would MUCH rather give $4m to Ference than to Ballard

Do you really think Ference wants to play in Calgary though? Hence the problem.

[Cheerio]

Originally Posted by kehatch

Do you really think Ference wants to play in Calgary though? Hence the problem.

Why wouldn't he? As far as I know he loved his time here and we're in a position to offer more money to him than another team would be.

[19Yzerman19]

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

No one is interested in doing the Canucks a favor and paying them waiver money to take on Ballard's contract. They want to see Gillis have to buy him out.

The only way I see anyone claiming him is if they a) think he's still a top 4 guy, even a limited (i.e. not two-way) top 4 guy and b) they don't think they can sign him if he goes UFA after a buyout. The benefit of a claim is that you get the player. If you don't care about overpaying him by probably 2 million bucks (I think he's actually worth 2.5), I'd do it, if you have an organizational need and are able to spend the cash.

[Milt Schmidt]

Originally Posted by Cheerio

Why wouldn't he? As far as I know he loved his time here and we're in a position to offer more money to him than another team would be.

When the story broke in Boston that he wasn't going to be given a new contract he sounded like he was going to be looking for a playoff team. It sounded like he wanted to keep chasing another cup, wouldn't surprise me to see him in Pitt or Philly (if he thinks they can make it next year).

Milt

[Stay Golden]

Ballard to Flames nooooooooooooo hard pass!
Gillis putting Ballard on waivers instead of buy out is just desperate.

[Calgary4LIfe]

Originally Posted by kehatch

Given the Flames commitment to a rebuild, the only way we attract players is to overpay for them. Plus, this is a weak free agency group.

Flames will have to vastly over-pay to get marquee players. However, with the cap going down, there will be a lot of UFAs available in August. If the Flames feel they need to get another guy to fill a hole, that would be a good option.

These are all the upcoming UFA defencemen:
http://www.capgeek.com/free-agents/?...D&fa_type_id=2

Some will be going to the KHL. Some will retire. Some will re-sign with their teams. However, there will be some that will become free agents, and will still be available after the 'frenzy' on the 5th.

Originally Posted by kehatch

Do you really think Ference wants to play in Calgary though? Hence the problem.

Tough to gauge. As Milt stated above - he may indeed be looking to be part of a contender again.

On the flipside, he loved living in Calgary. I believe his wife trained in Canmore. It was 'home' for them I believe. I think it is a guy you would attempt to sign before claiming Ballard. I am betting Ballard clears waivers. If the Flames can't find a better fit, make a trade for him later. Send a bit of salary back, or send a contract from a prospect they deem does not fit in the organization any longer (whomever it may be). Even call Gillis at that point and tell him to put him back on waivers.

If the Flames REALLY need help on D, he should be one of the last options I think, given his salary/term left, and given his performance over the last couple of years. I don't think he cracks the Flames' top 4, but would be an upgrade over the 6 and 7th in my opinion. Is it worth it? I guess we will see if he gets claimed or not.

[Oling_Roachinen]

Originally Posted by kehatch

I would prefer Ballard over spending assets on a trade or overpaying someone July 5.

Overpaying someone on July 5th or grabbing an overpaid Ballard, I don't know if I see a huge difference. Other than at least the UFA wants to be in Calgary.

Had it been any other team waiving Ballard, I wouldn't be completely adamant against claiming him. But the Canucks need to get rid of him, they can't afford going into the season with him if they want some chance. Not with the current 4M space they have thanks to the Schneider trade and the need to sign, or promote, 7 players. That's just minimum salary for guys that need to replace players like Schneider, Roy, Tanev and Raymond. A healthy Kesler takes over most of Roy's duty and obviously Luongo is going to be the undisputed number 1 but still a ton of depth lost for the Canucks.

Ballard being claimed would be a huge favour for the Canucks. As there's only a couple of teams that I see considering Ballard and with a good enough UFA class and teams struggling to make cap room I think it could benefit those teams to have the cap space and budget going into July 5th. I think it would suck if the Flames were the only team to put a claim in and do the Canucks that favour. A long rebuild I can live with but helping the Canucks is sacrilegious.

So if Ballard is for sure not in the future plans of Vancouver, what's with the charade of not putting him on unconditional waivers? Unless I'm missing something seems like a terrible bluff or, more likely, the Canucks are not prepared to eat his salary with a buyout if he does pass.

[doctajones428]

Would rather bring back Pardy... or Vandemeer