2014 Free Agent Frenzy Thread: FA News, FA Rumors and FA Speculation

[codynw]

Originally Posted by EldrickOnIce

No... but it's a good idea to get your guy for the term you want him for.
So Gaborik will be had for a discount by the Kings compared to what he would make elsewhere - but if a team thinks he the guy to make the difference for them, and they can fit him into the cap, you definitely consider the overpay.
Works the same everywhere else. The same welder is worth 70% more in Ft. Mac than he is in Calgary. You overpay because you have to, not because you want to.

Welding is a poor analogy because they don't have a salary cap to work with. If they pay a welder too much and he underperforms they can fire him. If a hockey team hands out a stupid contract, they're stuck with it.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

Thank you for that insight. Seeing how you can predict the future with such certainty can you tell us who we will draft on Friday, how good Gaudreau will really be, and just for s***s and giggles you can give me the winning lottomax numbers for this Friday as well. Thanks.

Geez what is with that reaction?

It is pretty obvious that the Flames are not a prime UFA destination for players in their prime. Our management stated they will not try and quick fix the team with free agents. Honestly why would a 28 year old who will have multiple suitors choose a team in year 2 of a rebuild unless we offer way more money than everyone else? Using common sense is not predicting the future

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

Yet the Flames are in a position that they can overpay. If a player prefers the payday to the contender the Flames are easily in the mix to sign a big name UFA.

Our managemet said free agency is not the way to build a winner. To get Stastny to sign would likely result in the flames offering Getzlaf term and dollars which would be a big mistake on the flames part. They have the cash now but 5-7 years from now that albatross of a contract would really hurt the team

[Muta]

We should really leave this thread to media related postings about free agent speculation, and, at max, comments related to direct said postings. Not discussion that most of us aren't viewing this thread for.

[bubbsy]

back to rumours

Pierre LeBrun ‏@Real_ESPNLeBrun 1m Hearing St. Louis Blues among many teams that reached out to Paul Stastny camp already...

[EldrickOnIce]

Originally Posted by codynw

Welding is a poor analogy because they don't have a salary cap to work with. If they pay a welder too much and he underperforms they can fire him. If a hockey team hands out a stupid contract, they're stuck with it.

The only part of the cap the Flames are concerned with at this point is the floor, so the cap is irrelevant - and therefore overpaying is too.
Term is all that matters, so you are not backed into a corner when the cap becomes relevant.
It was better, in some ways, when contracts dollars were not announced - then player acquisitions were based on merit of the player, not value of the contract. Three years from now here's to hoping that the Flames are having to manage the cap because they are competitive - but today it doesn't matter at all.

[foshizzle11]

Originally Posted by Husky

I would have no issue giving Stasny a 5-6 year deal for 6-7 million per year. He's got the right skillset, experience, age and he's constantly on team USA (so I assume Burke thinks highly of him).

Also allows our center prospects to develop without being thrown to the wolves (IE - Oilers style). Also keeps Backlund (whom I think highly of) on his toes and constantly pushing to improve or else he becomes replaceable and traded.

Will it happen? Probably not unless the Flames trade Backlund or are willing to have Stajan as an expensive 4th line center.

I don't think it is a bad thing to have a bunch of centres, you could always move one or two to the wing if they are still better than our other wingers. I think that would be just fine, especially if we have Stastny.

[Roof-Daddy]

I hope the somebody offers Stastny 7 years @ $8.5 million per and then the Avs match.

[codynw]

Originally Posted by EldrickOnIce

The only part of the cap the Flames are concerned with at this point is the floor, so the cap is irrelevant - and therefore overpaying is too.
Term is all that matters, so you are not backed into a corner when the cap becomes relevant.
It was better, in some ways, when contracts dollars were not announced - then player acquisitions were based on merit of the player, not value of the contract. Three years from now here's to hoping that the Flames are having to manage the cap because they are competitive - but today it doesn't matter at all.

Even on a shorter term deal I think it's a bad idea to overpay. Hypothetically, say Calgary signed Niskanen for 2 years at $14M. That makes every 2nd pairing defenceman in the league think they can get $7M a season, and agents will use that in contract negotiations.

If Toronto didn't give Clarkson that boat anchor of a contract there wouldn't be third liners (Bolland) expecting $5+ million a year on a long term deal right now.

[sureLoss]

Adrian Dater @adater
Rangers have called about Stastny

[sureLoss]

Joe Smith @TBTimes_JSmith
More than a half dozen teams have touched base with Dan Boyle, who will be a UFA, but hearing #tblightning not one of them. At least not yet

[codynw]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Adrian Dater @adater
Rangers have called about Stastny

9 years, $58.5M

[flamesfan1297]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Adrian Dater @adater
Rangers have called about Stastny

Better give him 8x8.5 and then buy him out in 3-4 years

[sureLoss]

News1130 Sports @News1130Sports
Have learned the #Canucks have called the agent for UFA Dave Bolland. General talks have taken place.

News1130 Sports @News1130Sports
The Bolland camp won't do anything with Vancouver until they resolve the Ryan Kesler situation.

[sureLoss]

Kypreos on HockeyCentral:

Hearing from Chicago and those close to the situation, Toews and Kane could reach $10 mil/yr each. $9 mil/year safe bet.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by codynw

Even on a shorter term deal I think it's a bad idea to overpay. Hypothetically, say Calgary signed Niskanen for 2 years at $14M. That makes every 2nd pairing defenceman in the league think they can get $7M a season, and agents will use that in contract negotiations.

If Toronto didn't give Clarkson that boat anchor of a contract there wouldn't be third liners (Bolland) expecting $5+ million a year on a long term deal right now.

Very true.

plus, the Flames will be renegotiating with Giordano and Brodie over the next year or two. Having a Niskanen sitting there at $7m per would not help matters.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Wow... 2/7 of Chicago's cap from two players... Yikes.

[sureLoss]

Katie Strang @KatieStrangESPN
Veteran Dman Dan Boyle has generated significant interest already. Number of teams have called. Rangers among those interested

[mrdonkey]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Katie Strang @KatieStrangESPN
Veteran Dman Dan Boyle has generated significant interest already. Number of teams have called. Rangers among those interested

Bet he gets a major deal from NYR and retires 2 years into it.

Glen Sather never disappoints on Free Agent madness day. Sooner or later this guy's love affair with big fish free agents is going to bite him in the butt once he runs out of tricks to get out of the horrible contracts he hands out.

[sureLoss]

Darren Dreger @DarrenDreger
At least 6 teams expected to talk to Bolland's agent, Anton Thun during allowed talking period. Wants to stay with Leafs. Looks unlikely.