Minor League UFA's & RFA's - Who Should We Keep/Let Go

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

Originally Posted by Eddie Bronze

Hugo Carpentier has signed a contract to play with Marquis de Saguenay in the LNAH.

Link: http://marquis.lnah.com/nouvelle.aspx?i=8255

Good for him. I gotta admit, he's a good player at that ECHL level, he just couldn't cut it when it came to professional hockey.

[The Original FFIV]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

So at this point I would predict Armstrong and Pelech get offers. The rest are cut loose.

What about a guy like David Fischer in Abby? 1st round pick in 2006 and kid did have some potential. From the admittedly limited amount of info I read, it sounds like his coach in college may have stunted his growth.

Believe Fischer may have more upside than a Baldwin/Meyers and dare I say Pelech if he can put it all together. Attended Canucks camp on a tryout basis, wouldn't hurt to invite him and see what he can do.

On a similar vein - AJ Thelen. Another 1st rounder that went astray despite obvious talent. Like Fischer, plying his trade in the ECHL and looking to climb back into the ranks.

Throwing these two names out there but understand there are others who fit a similar bill. Would be interesting to see if we could turn a reclamation project into a viable NHL prospect and worst case scenario, a solid contributor at the AHL level.

[Calgary4LIfe]

I will be surprised if Pelech isn't re-signed for one more season. We only selected one D this draft, so unless we are looking for un-signed D in other areas/FA market/trades, I would expect Pelech to be signed now.

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

So as it stands right now (June 27, 2011), here's what the Heat's lineup looks like for next season. Keep in mind, these lines are very rough estimates:

Nemisz - Horak - Howse
Meyer - Wahl - Cameron
? - Byron - Patterson
Grantham - Bouma - MacMillan

Mikkelson - Brodie
Breen - Negrin
Seabrook - ?

Irving
Ortio

Looks like there's definitely some holes to fill. Personally, I'd love nothing more than for Feaster to sign Carter Bancks and Justin Dowling to an ELC. Also, I was very very impressed with Tyler Ruegsegger as a checking line forward. He would be a great player to have as a scratch incase of injury.

The other option I suppose would be to bring Laing back as captain and bring back Keith as a fan favourite/local guy.

I know there's already a thread on this in the Flames forum, but does anyone else know of undrafted or unqualified players they'd like to see in the Heat lineup?

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by Pierre "Monster" McGuire

So as it stands right now (June 27, 2011), here's what the Heat's lineup looks like for next season. Keep in mind, these lines are very rough estimates:

Nemisz - Horak - Howse
Meyer - Wahl - Cameron
? - Byron - Patterson
Grantham - Bouma - MacMillan

Mikkelson - Brodie
Breen - Negrin
Seabrook - ?

Irving
Ortio

Byron had 26g, 27a for 53 points in 67 games which is more than anybody on the Heat had by 18 points (and the top 2 Heat scorers Keith and Rheault played 10+ more games and had 35 and 34 points). I think you pencil him in as the #1 centre if he doesn't make Calgary.

Also pencil Piskula in on defense probably, sounds like they want to sign him to an NHL contract.

[Roof-Daddy]

Yeah I heard Feaster mention Piskula's name today.

What's with that? The guy is 26 years old and has played the last 4 years in the AHL. Just a late bloomer? He didn't put up major stats or anything really. I see he's got decent size, is he fairly mobile? Just got lost in LA's system?

[kirant]

Originally Posted by Pierre "Monster" McGuire

So as it stands right now (June 27, 2011), here's what the Heat's lineup looks like for next season. Keep in mind, these lines are very rough estimates:

Nemisz - Horak - Howse
Meyer - Wahl - Cameron
? - Byron - Patterson
Grantham - Bouma - MacMillan

Mikkelson - Brodie
Breen - Negrin
Seabrook - ?

Irving
Ortio

I think Wahl will get the 1st line above Horak (if Stajan isn't sent down). Also, Bouma may be an NHLer next year.

I'd personally like to see Brunstrom picked up as a flyer to try out on the Heat. He's good when he given a bit of protection. Bitz also would look good for some more grit in the bottom 6.

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

Originally Posted by kirant

I think Wahl will get the 1st line above Horak (if Stajan isn't sent down). Also, Bouma may be an NHLer next year.

I'd personally like to see Brunstrom picked up as a flyer to try out on the Heat. He's good when he given a bit of protection. Bitz also would look good for some more grit in the bottom 6.

Again, they are rough estimates for lines. My intent was just to get all the names out there that are the Heat so far for next season.

If Horak plays on the second line, then that means Howse being on the second line too because I can't see the new coach separating them considering their great chemistry in Chilliwack.

[Vulcan]

Those two, Howse and Horak should bring a few fans over from Chilliwack and attendance should improve with their team gone.

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

Those two, Howse and Horak should bring a few fans over from Chilliwack and attendance should improve with their team gone.

No doubt, and attendance will only increase with the amount of goals scored. I remember at one point last season the fans were getting really pissy because the Heat had about five 1-0 games in two weeks. They were saying how boring the hockey was and how the team needed more offense. Well, they will get it with a healthy Bancks, Howse, Horak, Byron, Nemisz, and Brodie.

[devo22]

I think that Byron gets underestimated on the forum here. Don't let that 5'9 fool you, the guy plays with a ton of heart and energy. I have seen a couple of Sabres games where he played and I liked what I saw. I'd be surprised if he'd be anything less than the #1 center in Abbotsford, but quite frankly, I could see him on the Flames as well. I wouldn't be surprised for a second if he makes the NHL team out of camp. For Abbotsford, I think it would be even better to have him in the NHL because you also want Horak and Wahl to improve. You have to let Horak play on a line with Howse, so the addition of Byron would push Wahl to the third line and I don't think that's ideal.

I hope Feaster signs Bancks and Dowling, maybe even Rheault. As suggested by Pierre above, it'd be great if the Heat held on to Ruegsegger.

My hope is that both Byron and Bouma play in Calgary this fall. That only happens if they are good in camp and if Feaster manages to move some dead weight, but let's assume it happens:

Howse - Horak - Nemisz
Bancks - Wahl - Rheault
Laing - Patterson - Cameron
Meyer - Dowling - MacMillan
Extras: Ruegsegger, Grantham

Mikkelson - Brodie
Breen - Negrin
Piskula - Nyren (?)

Irving - Ortio

[Freeway]

C.J. Severyn has indicated via his Twitter that he'll be in camp, so there's a good chance that he signed a deal (or is about to).

Also, based on Feaster dodging his name, I don't think Jon Rheault will be back with the Flames organization.

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

Devo22,

I don't think Nyren will be back. He was only on an ATO and I don't think Feaster will re-sign him.

[flamesrule14]

Originally Posted by Freeway

C.J. Severyn has indicated via his Twitter that he'll be in camp, so there's a good chance that he signed a deal (or is about to).

Also, based on Feaster dodging his name, I don't think Jon Rheault will be back with the Flames organization.

Interesting. Wasn't expecting Severyn to go pro. Wonder if Marvin will be coming to the camp too?

[Freeway]

Originally Posted by flamesrule14

Interesting. Wasn't expecting Severyn to go pro. Wonder if Marvin will be coming to the camp too?

There's a possibility. The development camp roster will be released this week, so that should be an indication of what way they're going with younger guys.

[Vulcan]

Feaster might just invite them to camp, to see if they are worth a contract. It isn't like either were impressive in college and will have other teams knocking on their doors.

[Mass_nerder]

Speaking of college prospects, anyone know anything about Nick Larson?

[Canada 02]

Originally Posted by Freeway

C.J. Severyn has indicated via his Twitter that he'll be in camp, so there's a good chance that he signed a deal (or is about to).

Also, based on Feaster dodging his name, I don't think Jon Rheault will be back with the Flames organization.

I will be attending Flames Development camp this Sunday as well as rookie camp in Penticton, and main camp in September!!

http://twitter.com/#!/SevyC20

so development camp starts July 3rd this year? Thats 2 or 3 weeks earlier than past seasons

[devo22]

Originally Posted by Pierre "Monster" McGuire

Devo22,

I don't think Nyren will be back. He was only on an ATO and I don't think Feaster will re-sign him.

ah okay, wasn't sure about Nyren. Thought he had an AHL contract with Abbotsford.

Originally Posted by Freeway

Also, based on Feaster dodging his name, I don't think Jon Rheault will be back with the Flames organization.

didn't know that either. Too bad, I liked him.

very surprised about Severyn, I thought he'd be done with the Flames organization. Interesting to see that they haven't given up on him yet.