Pending Flames Free Agents.... who to re-sign?

[killer_carlson]

I'm blown away there are 12 people who would rather bring back Butler than give one of our D prospects a shot next year.

[codynw]

Originally Posted by moon

Well if you pay Russell say 3.5 million for 2 years unlikely he is going down to 2 million if you wanted to re-sign him then.

Also, overpaying for him now could affect what other guys are looking for as well. If you are paying Russell a lot and Brodie is outplaying him is he going to settle for less just because cap didn't matter when Russell was signed?

But I agree term is more important than dollars right now and should be looking at 2 years or less whenever possible in signing non core guys.

Okay, this part definitely makes sense. Never thought about anything like that. But I still think they'll have to end up overpaying a couple free agents to get to the floor.

[Flashpoint]

I keep Russell. Everyone else is traded for assets, or allowed to walk. They aren't any good anyway, or don't want to be here for a rebuild.

I pick up cheap UFA's towards the end of summer, and fill out the roster with prospects and minor leaguers. Maybe a tryout or two. I lean towards size, aggressiveness, and work ethic. We're too soft and too easy to play right now.

Frankly, we are going to suck at hockey next year, so the primary goal is to protect Monahan, and our 1st rounder from this year, and make other teams respect us physically.

Next year Baertschi is 22, Monahan is 20, and we might start looking for finishers to play with them.

[SeanCharles]

UFAs

Mike Cammalleri
Matt Stajan
Lee Stempniak
Kevin Westgarth
Blair Jones
Ben Street
Chris Butler
Kris Russell
Derek Smith
Joey MacDonald

RFAs

Paul Byron
Joe Colborne
Lance Bouma
Chad Billins
Ben Hanowski
Lane MacDermid
Joni Ortio
James Martin
David Eddy

Chris Breen
T.J Galiardi
Reto Berra } undetermined RFA's
Olivier Roy
Mark Cundari

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by killer_carlson

I'm blown away there are 12 people who would rather bring back Butler than give one of our D prospects a shot next year.

None of the defenseman on the Heat have been overly impressive and you can't just leave spots open assuming that a young defenseman will step in heck even if they draft Ekblad it's not a shoe in he makes the team.

[Skaloper]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

None of the defenseman on the Heat have been overly impressive and you can't just leave spots open assuming that a young defenseman will step in heck even if they draft Ekblad it's not a shoe in he makes the team.

Also it pays off to have depth at D as you know with injuries you will need him.

[Bourque's Twin]

Mike Cammalleri
Matt Stajan
Lee Stempniak
Kevin Westgarth
Blair Jones
Ben Street
Chris Butler
Kris Russell
Derek Smith
Joey MacDonald

RFAs

Paul Byron
Joe Colborne
Lance Bouma
Chad Billins
Ben Hanowski
Lane MacDermid
Joni Ortio
James Martin
David Eddy
Chris Breen
T.J Galiardi
Reto Berra
Olivier Roy
Mark Cundari

[dammage79]

It is nice to see Russell getting the votes. Deserves it. I only voted for Two UFAs. Cammy and Russell. Reason for Cammy is, if the HAVE to re-sign one of the forwards I'd hope the only option would be Cammy.

RFA's are a different story. I can see Byron being dealt by the dealine in a package. He's earned some trade value this season with his efforts. But I do not see him being a part of Burkes vision. Bouma, Hanowski, Colborne should all be signed. As well as Ortio. But he may ask for a one way which could complicate matters. Just speculation on my part really but with the way he has played in the AHL this season, it can be argued that he has earned the right to ask for a one way deal and be back up. The rest of the RFA's I'm indifferent. Galiardi may get one more one year deal to see if he can get better, but thats a stretch given his play this year.

[HelloHockeyFans]

Butler, Russell, Westgarth (truculence!), B. Jones and Street.

[FBI]

Meh I hate butler as much as everyone on CP but the fact that we haven't had a thread on him in about a month means he must be doing something right..

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

None of the defenseman on the Heat have been overly impressive and you can't just leave spots open assuming that a young defenseman will step in heck even if they draft Ekblad it's not a shoe in he makes the team.

This is my thinking too.

Sieloff and Weatherspoon have had injury riddled seasons, Ramage has looked good but still could use some seasoning, and nobody has really made a huge impression that they have to be on the big team next year.

I would rather a young player force us to have to move or waive somebody then just leave a spot open for them.

[Stupid]

I'm in the camp that would resign Russel, Street and B. Jones.

[nik-]

I would like to re-sign Cammalleri in the offseason if we can still trade him at the deadline. There's almost zero chance he's back though.

I'd like to see another year of Russell. I can't believe the Chris Butler era is almost over.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Anyone notice we've sucked ever since Russell got injured? Sign him for a 4 year, 10-12m contract.

[moon]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

Anyone notice we've sucked ever since Russell got injured? Sign him for a 4 year, 10-12m contract.

We sucked with him in the line-up.

[codynw]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

Anyone notice we've sucked ever since Russell got injured? Sign him for a 4 year, 10-12m contract.

This season is the first time Russell has played this good. I'd rather see a shorter contract given to him to see if he can keep it up. 2 years, $4-6 million would be ideal.

[Sylvanfan]

The Flames are going to have to overpay someone next year just to get to the Cap Floor. The two I would most like to keep are Cammalleri and Russel if I have to overpay guys. But if they have no interest in staying in Calgary I really don't see anyone else worth keeping for UFA's.

Really the Cap Floor is going to fugger the Flames as they're going to have to pay guys money they're really not worth just to get anyone to even consider signing with the team.

[codynw]

Originally Posted by moon

We sucked with him in the line-up.

I assume he means that when Russell went down the goal scoring drought started. Which is partially true, even though I think the two are completely unrelated.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

The Flames are going to have to overpay someone next year just to get to the Cap Floor. The two I would most like to keep are Cammalleri and Russel if I have to overpay guys. But if they have no interest in staying in Calgary I really don't see anyone else worth keeping for UFA's.

Really the Cap Floor is going to fugger the Flames as they're going to have to pay guys money they're really not worth just to get anyone to even consider signing with the team.

It that's the case I would like to see Burke overpay a player or two based on character and leadership as opposed to just paying for a scorer that adds little other value. The young players need mentors going forward.

[Nabber]

Mike Cammalleri
Matt Stajan
Lee Stempniak
Kevin Westgarth
Blair Jones
Ben Street
Chris Butler
Kris Russell
Derek Smith
Joey MacDonald

RFAs

Paul Byron
Joe Colborne
Lance Bouma
Chad Billins
Ben Hanowski
Lane MacDermid
Joni Ortio
James Martin
David Eddy
Chris Breen
T.J Galiardi
Reto Berra
Olivier Roy
Mark Cundari

I know I may take some heat for resigning Stempniak but I don't mind him for a decent price depending on how motivated his is to stay here. If Cammalleri wants to come back I'd sign him instead though. Just feel it's best if we have some veteran experience next year, if there are other options out there instead of these guys I'd be ok with that too. Russell IMO has to be resigned. Butler I'm ok not signing but if he's our only option so be it. I said no to Westgarth as you don't need two goons on a team. I'd be ok letting Berra walk then again we do need some goalies options so that would have to be addressed.