Whats Tree's next move

[flambers]

I would think the Flames will go after an UFA forward.

Key is someone who has speed.

[direwolf]

Originally Posted by flambers

I would think the Flames will go after an UFA forward.

Key is someone who has speed.

Yup. Speed and some scoring ability would be nice.

[Gaskal]

Tavares, because a wizard is never late, nor early.

He wizards exactly when he means to.

[btimbit]

Haven't put much thought into contracts or what would even fit, but JVR, Perron or Neal would make me happy

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by direwolf

Yup. Speed and some scoring ability would be nice.

Grabner is as fast as there is among UFAs. He can score some. He's good on the PK. He sure didn't do much for NJ after being traded, though. But maybe that makes him cheaper.

[868904]

JVR, Neal or Perron would be nice but it's going to cost term with big dollars, something I don't think is smart.

With 3 defensively responsible two way centres in Monahan, Lindholm and Backlund, I am more open to the idea of a signing a guy like Grabner to a bigger dollar but one year term.

Grabner made $3.3 million on a 2 year deal last time around. If his market is say $4 million on a 2 year deal now, maybe offer him $3 million on a 1 year deal.

This doesn't handicap the teams' ability to re-sign Tkachuk or Bennett in the following year and if things go south and the Flames are out of the picture, it'll be an easy contract to trade for picks. Or even if say Bennett and Jankowski establish themselves as legitimate top 6 guys, you can still trade Grabner for picks even if you are in a playoff position.

[Hey Connor, It's Mess]

I would be very surprised if we made any UFA splashes and wouldn't be surprised in the slightest if we made no UFA signings at all. We have players knocking at the door for a roster spot in Mangiapane, Foo, Klimchuk. Add in the fact that Shore is in the mix and likely Stajan's replacement. I expect the usual one or two veteran pro-tryouts in the pre-season to amp up the competition, but I think the team we have now is the team we will be starting the season with.

[flambers]

Originally Posted by Hey Connor, It's Mess

I would be very surprised if we made any UFA splashes and wouldn't be surprised in the slightest if we made no UFA signings at all. We have players knocking at the door for a roster spot in Mangiapane, Foo, Klimchuk. Add in the fact that Shore is in the mix and likely Stajan's replacement. I expect the usual one or two veteran pro-tryouts in the pre-season to amp up the competition, but I think the team we have now is the team we will be starting the season with.

Yep, problem is all of the prospects are 3rd or 4th line guys.

Flames need to acquire more scoring..... ideally from a winger.

[btimbit]

Originally Posted by flambers

Yep, problem is all of the prospects are 3rd or 4th line guys.

Flames need to acquire more scoring..... ideally from a winger.

That's why I think if the Flames do anything in free agency it'll be a go big or go home type scenario. No need to pony up for depth in free agency.

I still think we see another trade as well

[868904]

Originally Posted by flambers

Yep, problem is all of the prospects are 3rd or 4th line guys.

Flames need to acquire more scoring..... ideally from a winger.

Mangiapane and Foo are not bottom six guys. I think both guys are close, but might need some more time in the AHL.

Foo is a right wing and makes sense, question is, is he ready?

Working against Mangiapane is that there already are two quality left wingers in the top 6.

[btimbit]

Originally Posted by 868904

Mangiapane and Foo are not bottom six guys. I think both guys are close, but might need some more time in the AHL.

Foo is a right wing and makes sense, question is, is he ready?

Working against Mangiapane is that there already are two quality left wingers in the top 6.

With Peters saying he wants to try Tkachuk on the right side I could see Mangiapane playing with Backlund and Frolik

[dammage79]

July 1st prediction.

Flames sign Martin Frk to a three year 5 million deal.
Flames sign Carter Hutton to a 2 year deal.
Flames trade TJ Brodie to Chi for Brandon Saad
Flames sign Jack Johnson to a 3 year deal.

[Roof-Daddy]

Mangiapane and Foo will be interesting to see what they do next season.

Eat bread had the highest points per game of any 21 or under forward in the entire AHL last season (more than 10 games played) @ 1.18 points per game.

Foo had a slow start. 0.44 points per game in his first 25 games, and then 0.77 points per game in his last 37 games IIRC.

Would be really nce if these guys could take the next step next season, and become decent young NHL wingers while still on their ELC's.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by dammage79

July 1st prediction.

Flames sign Martin Frk to a three year 5 million deal.
Flames sign Carter Hutton to a 2 year deal.
Flames trade TJ Brodie to Chi for Brandon Saad
Flames sign Jack Johnson to a 3 year deal.

I'm still kind of hoping BT trades Brodie for a top six forward and then signs a Dman in free agency like you've done here.

I don't know if they can get Johnson on a 3 year deal, but I'd fine with that. Another incredible skating Dman, and he's heavy too.

If not him then maybe Thomas Hickey, who is another mobile guy, and from Calgary.

[DazzlinDino]

Originally Posted by goflamesgo18

Would be a very solid top 9.

Id even take the risk and offer our first for next year to make that happen. We are not rebuilding and our core is already set. Odds are that lineup would make for a late 1st next year anyway.

Can you imagine if we didn't make the playoffs. Just saying!

[SoCalFlamesFan]

Originally Posted by getoverit

who do you think Tree signs in UFA cause todays draft is all but done..........

He's getting fired by CP

[djsFlames]

Strangely, I'd be for going scorched earth on our defense and flipping Brodie or stone for more forward help.

I say that cause this defensive group hasn't been able to shut down the opposition despite the collection of big names. Sometimes it's just the wrong combination and a different one that looks less impressive from afar ends up yielding the better/ desired results. Just how these things go. Let Andersson, Kulak and Valimaki fill in those spots and let em grow into the roles like the Flames finally allowed Kulak to do this past year, probably only cause they didn't have a vet better than Bart to put ahead of him. But surprise, he was solid anyway. That great organizational d depth they trumpet about doesn't mean anything unless they use it on the nhl club.

[Canada 02]

Originally Posted by dammage79

July 1st prediction.

Flames sign Martin Frk to a three year 5 million deal.
Flames sign Carter Hutton to a 2 year deal.
Flames trade TJ Brodie to Chi for Brandon Saad
Flames sign Jack Johnson to a 3 year deal.

Hutton apparently talked to 8-10 teams today and is looking for a 3 year deal, at ~$3M+

[flambers]

Originally Posted by 868904

Mangiapane and Foo are not bottom six guys. I think both guys are close, but might need some more time in the AHL.

Foo is a right wing and makes sense, question is, is he ready?

Working against Mangiapane is that there already are two quality left wingers in the top 6.

Next season, they would be depth players if they make the team.

Would be a great problem if they could become a 2nd line type of player.

However I don't see either of them with that type of upside.

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by Canada 02

Hutton apparently talked to 8-10 teams today and is looking for a 3 year deal, at ~$3M+

I'd be okay @ 3 years. At the very least we have an insurance policy post Smith and pre-whoever takes over.