Would you sign Brad Richards to a 3yr $3mil contract this summer?

[Hockey_Ninja]

Put an offensive minded coach on the Rangers and he'll be putting up his 70-80+ points again.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by flambers

For the Flames he is definetely not the type of player they require.... they should focus on younger players....

Brad is getting older and has struggled in the last while

You mean the type of players that aren't going to be available? I don't dissagree, but younger capable centres aren't likely to come along so it doesn't change the fact that the Flames need to get help up the middle, re-building or not.

Needs to be some acceptance around here that not focusing on Post Apex players and doing a rebuild doesn't mean every single move you make has to be a young player or pre apex player. That's simply not possible and maybe not even the right thing, as someone else pointed out, Edmonton would likely be better off if they'd had some more veteran balance in impact positions.

[cowtown75]

Abso-freakin-lutely I would for 3 years max and 3.0 per- that's a no brainer.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

Does anyone really care how much actual money Murray Edwards spends? The cap hit was $3.75 which is what really mattered.

A high cap hit really only matters if the team is at the cap and is unable to make other moves because it doesn't have the salary room to make them. That was never an issue for this year's Flames.

Also, bonuses on entry-level deals really don't count because there is a bonus-cushion that allows teams to exceed the cap up to the value of all unpaid ELC bonuses.

Only the first $925,000 of Cervenka's cap hit ever had any impact on anything.

[zunie75]

Originally Posted by kyuss275

What top 6 center for mentoring is going to come cheaper than $3 million? Even Stajan will probably get $2.5 million when he hits UFA in 2014.

Who says the mentor has to be a center or come from a different organisation? A guy like Tanguay has been around the league long enough and with our organisation long enough. Him among others.

Why should we pay 3 mill for a guy who is underwhelming at best at this point in his career.

lets be honest, this is a guy that his own team thinks so low of currently, that they are going to sit him in the fourth game of a possible sweep.

[dirk diggler]

With the Gomez signing and then this signing, how does Sather keep his job? although he is a winner like K lowe

[Mister Yamoto]

No. Stay away from bought out players. If the Rangers are willing to pay millions to make him go away that is a big red flag. It's cute how Feaster still brags about almost signing him.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by dirk diggler

With the Gomez signing and then this signing, how does Sather keep his job? although he is a winner like K lowe

He survived Gomez, Kotalik, Redden, Drury and I expect he will survive Richards. Not sure how he keeps his job but he has some sort of Teflon suit with ownership.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by getbak

A high cap hit really only matters if the team is at the cap and is unable to make other moves because it doesn't have the salary room to make them. That was never an issue for this year's Flames.

Also, bonuses on entry-level deals really don't count because there is a bonus-cushion that allows teams to exceed the cap up to the value of all unpaid ELC bonuses.

Only the first $925,000 of Cervenka's cap hit ever had any impact on anything.

This year yes considering the team was junk but had they needed to spend to the cap Cervenka's hit may have been troublesome. My point is simply the fact that as a fan cap hit is what is most important and not actual money if the team plans to spend to the cap

[evil1]

If you want instruction, sign a coach.
If you want a slug, sign Richards to play.

Richards is just not a first-line center anymore. He’s getting outplayed by the one guy on the team who may be a worse skater than he is—Derek Stepan. Step is also 10 years younger than Richards.

Besides losing a step, it’s clear he can’t make the plays he used to either. He’s made a habit out of trying to skate through defenders, but he just loses the puck.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1...-be-bought-out

[Bertuzzied]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

He survived Gomez, Kotalik, Redden, Drury and I expect he will survive Richards. Not sure how he keeps his job but he has some sort of Teflon suit with ownership.

He gave them the Kevin Lowe speel about knowing how to win and winning 30 years ago.

[Poe969]

It's funny that people are saying no because we should go after younger centers instead. When Turris and Carter were available, people were saying no to them too.

The Flames need SOME depth at center. Richards would be the best center this team has had in years. He improves the team and can teach some players. This rebuild doesn't have to be an oiler-esque 10 year ordeal.

[valo403]

Originally Posted by Hockey_Ninja

Put an offensive minded coach on the Rangers and he'll be putting up his 70-80+ points again.

He put up 34 in 46 games this year and 66 last year

[Yamer]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

He survived Gomez, Kotalik, Redden, Drury and I expect he will survive Richards. Not sure how he keeps his job but he has some sort of Teflon suit with ownership.

Wasn't he also the one that signed Holik? Or was that Smith?

EDIT: NM, it was Sather.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Yamer

Wasn't he also the one that signed Holik? Or was that Smith?

EDIT: NM, it was Sather.

Good call. Forgot about that one. Like I said the man wears a Teflon suit.

[flambers]

Originally Posted by Cleveland Steam Whistle

You mean the type of players that aren't going to be available? I don't dissagree, but younger capable centres aren't likely to come along so it doesn't change the fact that the Flames need to get help up the middle, re-building or not.

Needs to be some acceptance around here that not focusing on Post Apex players and doing a rebuild doesn't mean every single move you make has to be a young player or pre apex player.

That's simply not possible and maybe not even the right thing, as someone else pointed out, Edmonton would likely be better off if they'd had some more veteran balance in impact positions.

Yep, for the Flames to sign older players is kinda of like the same old strategy.

The Flames are rebuilding... how does Brad Richards help them?

Feaster and company will need to think out side of the box.... strategy that does not involve signing Briere or Richards...

[Phanuthier]

Originally Posted by flambers

Yep, for the Flames to sign older players is kinda of like the same old strategy.

The Flames are rebuilding... how does Brad Richards help them?

Feaster and company will need to think out side of the box.... strategy that does not involve signing Briere or Richards...

They aren't rebuilding... re-tooling or whatever you call it, mandate is to make the playoffs. If they want a rebuild, they should find themselves someone else, etc etc.

[valo403]

Originally Posted by flambers

Yep, for the Flames to sign older players is kinda of like the same old strategy.

The Flames are rebuilding... how does Brad Richards help them?

Feaster and company will need to think out side of the box.... strategy that does not involve signing Briere or Richards...

By playing top 6 minutes, minutes that players on the roster aren't ready for.

I feel like BACKCHECK's post should be required reading. Playing young players way over their heads is a great way to stunt their development.

[ComixZone]

If we get rid of Stajan, yes. If not, no.

Backlund has earned top 6 minutes next season.

[habernac]

How is Glen Sather still employed? The guy who signed the Redden, Gomez, Richards...... etc contracts???