Sorry for the dp, but the guys I like the most who are UFA:
1. Niskanen - always been a fan, but I think a lot of posters here would expect too much from him. He's a perfect #3 and PP guy
2. Vrbata
3. Mcbain or Fayne - Liked Mcbain in Carolina, I didn't see any of his time in Buffalo but I know he has the tools at least. Fayne is less of a risk, he's a solid 4/5/6 guy
4. Downie or B. Boyle
5. Any backup goalie, as long as Ramo is starting in the NHL and Ortio starts in the AHL I'm happy. Anyone who can push Ramo is welcome. I think Lindback would be a good fit, he'll have something to prove like the majority of our roster will
Don't have a top 5, but our biggest area of need is on the blue line. Open up the wallet, overpay to get Willie Big Stick and Christian Erhoff.
Mitchell is a big, physical veteran D with two Stanley Cup rings. He personifies perseverance, and I want our young players to learn everything they can from a guy like that about what it takes to be a pro and what it takes to hoist that shiny silver mug at the end of the year.
Erhoff is a free agent because of the cap recapture penalties, nothing more. He's a top-four puck-moving D. He makes the team better.
Go get both of these guys. We may not win a ton of games next year, but these upgrades to the back end will pay dividends long term. And we may need to overpay enough to resolve our whole cap floor issue.
__________________ ”All you have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to you.”
1. Radim Vrbata - I really can't say this enough. I want him in a Flames jersey.
2. Matt Niskanen - fills the right shot D position that we are desperately in need of
3. Paul Byron - pretty sure he was "let go" to avoid arbitration. He slots in nicely on the 3rd/4th line as well as strengthens the AHL Flames if sent down.
4. Thomas Greiss - think he is the perfect guy to backup Ramo while still breathing down his neck able to take over the #1 spot in case something happens with Ramo.
5. Matt D'Agostini - adds a right shot to our wingers, something we have too few of (Jones/McGrattan/Westgarth/Wideman are the only R shots on the team).
