Should the Flames buy anyone out this summer?

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

If they're willing to let the bad contracts expire or hope by some miracle these guys play well enough to be traded. They might as well save money and not get a goaltender.

In my opinion carrying this many bad contracts tells me you really don't have to win next year. Which given where the rebuild is probably is okay. If they really do want to win they need to find a way to get much better value out of the Smid Wideman, Stajan, Bollig, and Raymond salary block. To me Engelland at least brings a solid chance to get you something of value. The rest to me can be replaced by more economical internal options. In fact keeping them around makes things tougher on the coach especially Wideman.

I don't see the point of trading your only tough defenseman in Engelland. I'm not too worried about Wideman as I feel one way or another he won't be on the Flames roster by training camp. Smid's career may be over and if he does recover and feels he can play he can either play in Stockton or be a regular press box player as he's not tradable. Raymond is fine in Stockton and Bollig will be in and out of the lineup just as he was last season. Most teams carry bad contracts like this and you have to make the best of them and learn from mistakes.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by Fire of the Phoenix

That's not the best case scenario unless you have someone REALLY special in goal. That lineup makes me a little sad honestly. If they go with that, I'll probably be watching youtube videos of the 2017 draft class more than I will the actual team next year.

I really believe the big changes this year will be limited to new head coach and new goalie. Those are big changes.

I just don't think we can expect major lineup changes since:

1) Flames are basically a cap team with limited space to sign UFA's or take on salary in trades
2) Most of our tradable assets are core guys that won't be traded. A lot of the rest of the players on this team have very low trade value right now, other than Backlund and Colborne
3) There doesn't appear to be an immediate impact player on the horizon in Stockton

I think we need one more year of patience when hopefully at least 1) and 3) change.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

I really believe the big changes this year will be limited to new head coach and new goalie. Those are big changes.

I just don't think we can expect major lineup changes since:

1) Flames are basically a cap team with limited space to sign UFA's or take on salary in trades
2) Most of our tradable assets are core guys that won't be traded. A lot of the rest of the players on this team have very low trade value right now, other than Backlund and Colborne
3) There doesn't appear to be an immediate impact player on the horizon in Stockton

I think we need one more year of patience when hopefully at least 1) and 3) change.

There's a few defensemen in the system that look promising but they are aways off. Offensively things are pretty bleak in regards to top 6 skill though which is why they really need to nail the 6th pick and get a skilled forward.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

There's a few defensemen in the system that look promising but they are aways off. Offensively things are pretty bleak in regards to top 6 skill though which is why they really need to nail the 6th pick and get a skilled forward.

Agreed. Not trying to write off our prospects by any stretch, just no one seems poised to make a big impression next year. Always room for surprises of course.

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by AcGold

We have players in the minors better than Raymond, Bollig, Stajan and Wideman. Which of these guys are one way? Those four are a waste of a spot at this time, anyone would be better than Bollig. He's Tim Jackman 2.0.

Treliving and Burke have made it obvious that they want Bollig on the NHL roster or at least a player of his ilk, I think him fighting less is something the management team wasn't pleased with since he never fought alot to begin with and there isn't a player in Stockton that is NHL ready that can play that role.

[Samonadreau]

Originally Posted by Alberta_Beef

Treliving and Burke have made it obvious that they want Bollig on the NHL roster or at least a player of his ilk, I think him fighting less is something the management team wasn't pleased with since he never fought alot to begin with and there isn't a player in Stockton that is NHL ready that can play that role.

I don't get why someone makes that team when all they contribute is that they can fight. We have guys like Ferland and Engelland that can drop'em in a pinch. Lots of teams don't have a heavy weight anymore. Bollig rarely stood up for anyone last year anyways.

[Calgary4LIfe]

Originally Posted by Samonadreau

I don't get why someone makes that team when all they contribute is that they can fight. We have guys like Ferland and Engelland that can drop'em in a pinch. Lots of teams don't have a heavy weight anymore. Bollig rarely stood up for anyone last year anyways.

When Treliving traded for Bollig, it wasn't with the intention of replacing McGrattan. More was expected out of Bollig - he was actually a decent depth player who Quenneville gave good minutes too (rightly or wrongly). It was thought that Bollig would be providing a policing presence, but only in addition to other contributions. Hartley didn't utilize him in this fashion.

It will be interesting to see what the new coach actually makes of Bollig. 13th forward? More time and increased responsibilities? I wouldn't necessarily hold my breath, but it will be interesting to see if Bollig gets more minutes now, assuming Treliving wanted Hartley to play him more.

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by Samonadreau

I don't get why someone makes that team when all they contribute is that they can fight. We have guys like Ferland and Engelland that can drop'em in a pinch. Lots of teams don't have a heavy weight anymore. Bollig rarely stood up for anyone last year anyways.

Obviously he contributes more than fighting, he's a good locker room presence, he's one of the few forwards we have that throws his body around and he's not half as bad as some posters think he is. He's a pure bottom 6 energy guy and some posters can't accept that players like that still have a role.

[Hack&Lube]

oops, I thought it was a multi-select and voted Engelland by accident. I didn't follow Raymond's performance in the AHL. Did it help the farm at all?

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

oops, I thought it was a multi-select and voted Engelland by accident. I didn't follow Raymond's performance in the AHL. Did it help the farm at all?

He was a point per game and and by all accounts was a model player in the locker room and didn't bring a poor attitude with him. But didn't play at all down the stretch, I assume due to injury.