[Signing] Flames RFA and UFA Tracking

[Cheerio]

Originally Posted by King Theo

For the love of God and everything that is holy, please do NOT sign Schlemko. He is a 5/6, we have 5 guys that are ahead of him, plus we have Engelland who is a 6/7, leave a spot for a 6/7 for one of the kids.

As a coach or a management team you cannot reserve roster spots for prospects or potential. If Wotherspoon or whoever greatly outplays our 5/6/ Dman they'll be on the team, but you can't just reserve a spot for an AHL Dman because you want a prospect on the team. Also there's no point in having a guy like Wotherspoon sit in the pressbox and watch 60 games a season as a #7.

[TX_Flame]

Originally Posted by Fire

I believe Bouma has 2 more RFA years before he reaches UFA status. I think we see a 3-4 year deal worth very close to $2 million per year.

Awesome guess!

[sureLoss]

Hanowski turned down contract offers in Germany and Finland. Hopes to play in North America.

http://www.sctimes.com/story/sports/...game/31247687/

[Hugh Jahrmes]

Was Hanowski due to become a UFA or was given UFA status because we didn't qualify him?

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by Hugh Jahrmes

Was Hanowski due to become a UFA or was given UFA status because we didn't qualify him?

Given UFA status because the Flames didn't qualify him.

[Strange Brew]

Interesting article on Hanowski. I wonder if/when a guy like that decides that hockey is not his primary career.

I had a friend I worked with who played a few years pro in Europe. It wasn't easy starting his second career a few years later in life and finally went back to Germany to play some more.

[Murph]

Hanowski is a .5 ppg player in the AHL. I see no reason why he wouldn't get an AHL contract somewhere and carve out a decent AHL career with the odd call up.

[Strange Brew]

An AHL career is certainly something to be proud of but you are not going to make enough money to retire on. I would think some guys may want to start their second career sooner, for lots of reasons.

I had the opportunity to see two guys from the Miracle on Ice team (Eruzione, Craig) on the motivational speaker circuit. Eruzione even said if he shoots the puck two inches to the left he is selling cars for a living and we wouldn't be listening to him right now. Insightful comment but didn't exactly help his credibility as a speaker.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

An AHL career is certainly something to be proud of but you are not going to make enough money to retire on. I would think some guys may want to start their second career sooner, for lots of reasons.

I had the opportunity to see two guys from the Miracle on Ice team (Eruzione, Craig) on the motivational speaker circuit. Eruzione even said if he shoots the puck two inches to the left he is selling cars for a living and we wouldn't be listening to him right now. Insightful comment but didn't exactly help his credibility as a speaker.

I think for players that settle into AHL careers are hoping to be hockey lifers and eventually extend it into a non-playing career in the sport eventually. It's still a pretty big gamble, but can be quite lucrative.