UFA's- who's available this summer

[oldschoolcalgary]

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

Actually whats the harm in trying to overpay on some one year deals?

SIAP, but does anyone really see the most desirable of the UFAs signing a 1 year deal?

Why on earth would Weiss (for example) sign a one year deal? The only guys that would are the ones that had a bad year and don't want to sign long term at undervalued prices (tho that is easily mitigated through negotiated performance bonuses).

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by oldschoolcalgary

SIAP, but does anyone really see the most desirable of the UFAs signing a 1 year deal?

Why on earth would Weiss (for example) sign a one year deal? The only guys that would are the ones that had a bad year and don't want to sign long term at undervalued prices (tho that is easily mitigated through negotiated performance bonuses).

I agree. If we sign guys like Clarkson or Bozak, it will be for long-term, along the lines of the Hudler a Wideman deals. It's pretty clear that management and ownership do not want a long rebuild. I doubt we go after any guys over 30 (aside from maybe a modest deal for Ference), but expect some pretty aggressive pursuit and overpayment of UFAs in the 26-30 age range. And I don't really see more than three rookie forwards (Baertschi + 2), tops, making the team next year. So if we have the cap space, why not?

Sure, we might just make the team good enough to miss a lottery pick, but that's just the way this franchise operates. Unless Edwards has a change of heart and both King and Feaster are turfed, I don't expect finishing as a lottery team to be on the agenda of the Flames anytime soon.

[calgARI]

Originally Posted by oldschoolcalgary

SIAP, but does anyone really see the most desirable of the UFAs signing a 1 year deal?

Why on earth would Weiss (for example) sign a one year deal? The only guys that would are the ones that had a bad year and don't want to sign long term at undervalued prices (tho that is easily mitigated through negotiated performance bonuses).

He is talking about more second tier guys with something to prove like Tanguay was when he came back on a 1 year, 1.7M contract. Pretty much all the compliance buy outs will fit into that category. Plenty of others as well.

I do happen to think they should go after Weiss though with a pretty aggressive offer.

[ramizle]

Originally Posted by bubbsy

why wouldn't philly buy him out themselves?

because it cost like a billion philly cheese steak sandwiches.... Flames ownership might be willing to pay with the equivalent of a million AAA Alberta Steaks.

[oldschoolcalgary]

Originally Posted by calgARI

He is talking about more second tier guys with something to prove like Tanguay was when he came back on a 1 year, 1.7M contract. Pretty much all the compliance buy outs will fit into that category. Plenty of others as well.

I do happen to think they should go after Weiss though with a pretty aggressive offer.

trouble is the only UFAs that would sign a one year deal are either close to calling it a career or have a lot of question marks attached to them.

personally, i would be shocked if any of the top UFAs sign here, even if we massively overpay... (the caveat would be if they already have a Stanley Cup or are from Calgary).

[calgARI]

Originally Posted by oldschoolcalgary

trouble is the only UFAs that would sign a one year deal are either close to calling it a career or have a lot of question marks attached to them.

That's the point - low risk, somewhat high reward.

[Savvy27]

Anyone think Gaborik might be bought out?

[united]

Raymond grew up a Flames fan and spends every offseason here (well, outside of Cochrane). He also spent most of the lockout skating with Flames players and a few other locals from other NHL teams at Winsport.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by Savvy27

Anyone think Gaborik might be bought out?

The Rangers already bought out Redden, so they only have one buy out left. Gaborik only has one more year left so it isn't a big deal, they can eat it for a year. Maybe Richards?

[calgARI]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

Maybe Richards?

Pretty realistic. If Feaster is still around, I am sure he goes after him.

[Tinordi]

Richards has been nigh awful this year.

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

I agree. If we sign guys like Clarkson or Bozak, it will be for long-term, along the lines of the Hudler a Wideman deals. It's pretty clear that management and ownership do not want a long rebuild. I doubt we go after any guys over 30 (aside from maybe a modest deal for Ference), but expect some pretty aggressive pursuit and overpayment of UFAs in the 26-30 age range. And I don't really see more than three rookie forwards (Baertschi + 2), tops, making the team next year. So if we have the cap space, why not?

Sure, we might just make the team good enough to miss a lottery pick, but that's just the way this franchise operates. Unless Edwards has a change of heart and both King and Feaster are turfed, I don't expect finishing as a lottery team to be on the agenda of the Flames anytime soon.

Would be one thing to position yourself with lots of cap space to sign short term to deals players on buyout.

It will be quite another thing if/when the flames sign some guys to 4,5,6 year deals.

[868904]

Originally Posted by united

Raymond grew up a Flames fan and spends every offseason here (well, outside of Cochrane). He also spent most of the lockout skating with Flames players and a few other locals from other NHL teams at Winsport.

That's funny, out here in Vancouver, everyone says Raymond grew up a Canucks fan despite growing up in Cochrane.

[Jebus]

I expect that this team, and it's needs, to be different following draft day this summer. Lots of interesting UFA and RFA players on that list, but I would want to see where we are at leading up to July 3rd before I make my wish list.

[t0rrent98]

I hate to say it, but I think the Flames maybe the new Oilers now, where nobody would want to play for them after a season like this.

[robaur]

FORWARDS
Sven Baertschi ($1.425m) / Mikael Backlund ($0.761m) / Mike Cammalleri ($6.000m)
Jiri Hudler ($4.000m) / Tyler Bozak ($5.000m) / Roman Cervenka ($1.500m)
Alex Tanguay ($3.500m) / Nathan Mackinnon ($3.775m) / Lee Stempniak ($2.500m)
Curtis Glencross ($2.550m) / Matt Stajan ($3.500m) / Mason Raymond ($3.750m)
Lance Bouma ($0.578m) / Tim Jackman ($0.613m) /
DEFENSEMEN
Mark Giordano ($4.020m) / Dennis Wideman ($5.250m)
T.J. Brodie ($1.250m) / Chris Butler ($1.500m)
Derek Smith ($0.775m) / Tyler Wotherspoon ($0.925m)
Mark Cundari ($1.000m) /
GOALTENDERS
Karri Ramo ($3.000m)
Reto Berra ($1.250m)
------
CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS (follow @capgeek on Twitter)
(these totals are compiled with the bonus cushion)
SALARY CAP: $64,300,000; CAP PAYROLL: $58,421,667; BONUSES: $531,250
CAP SPACE (23-man roster): $6,409,583

You still have the option to sign Horton for $7M a season...or give Filippula money...or Derek Roy...

[FlameZilla]

Originally Posted by robaur

FORWARDS
Sven Baertschi ($1.425m) / Mikael Backlund ($0.761m) / Mike Cammalleri ($6.000m)
Jiri Hudler ($4.000m) / Tyler Bozak ($5.000m) / Roman Cervenka ($1.500m)
Alex Tanguay ($3.500m) / Nathan Mackinnon ($3.775m) / Lee Stempniak ($2.500m)
Curtis Glencross ($2.550m) / Matt Stajan ($3.500m) / Mason Raymond ($3.750m)
Lance Bouma ($0.578m) / Tim Jackman ($0.613m) /
DEFENSEMEN
Mark Giordano ($4.020m) / Dennis Wideman ($5.250m)
T.J. Brodie ($1.250m) / Chris Butler ($1.500m)
Derek Smith ($0.775m) / Tyler Wotherspoon ($0.925m)
Mark Cundari ($1.000m) /
GOALTENDERS
Karri Ramo ($3.000m)
Reto Berra ($1.250m)
------
CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS (follow @capgeek on Twitter)
(these totals are compiled with the bonus cushion)
SALARY CAP: $64,300,000; CAP PAYROLL: $58,421,667; BONUSES: $531,250
CAP SPACE (23-man roster): $6,409,583

You still have the option to sign Horton for $7M a season...or give Filippula money...or Derek Roy...

Horton would fill a fairly gaping hole in the RW power-forward position. Absolutely no way he signs here. That guy is hungry to win. Any other similar players?

The goalie situation frightens me. If I'm management I either try to coax Kipper into another contract or make a play for UFA Mike Smith.

[FlamesAddiction]

I'm not sold on going for big free agents as a long term solution for this team, but if we do, I would definitely target Horton.

[Poe969]

Horton and Clarkson would be fun on a rebuilding team. They both seem to have tallent and work hard. I'd rather have those guys than Glencross, Cammy and Tangs leading the kids

[Parallex]

Horton and Bozak will be targetted I think. I also think Heatley will be bought out and I could see the Flames paying a bit on a short-term redemption type deal for him.

I'd stay away from Mike Smith... I think that guy would get murdered playing for a non-Tippett team.