UFA's- who's available this summer

[Poe969]

If Heatley is a compliance buy out, I'd LOVE to get him on the team at a reasonable contract. I've always liked him

[EM11]

Isn't the missing link in this discussion the fact that almost nobody of value would want to come to Calgary for what is going to be a pretty difficult and demoralizing season? How does Feaster sell it?

[moon]

Originally Posted by EM11

Isn't the missing link in this discussion the fact that almost nobody of value would want to come to Calgary for what is going to be a pretty difficult and demoralizing season? How does Feaster sell it?

Here's a million dollars a year extra on the 5 year deal we are offering you.

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by EM11

How does Feaster sell it?

"we can't offer you a high probability of team success but what I can offer you is a high chance that you'll get quality ice-time, and special team play. You can play for us and make yourself "the man" or you can sign for less money since they have less cap space, set yourself up poorly for your next contract, and be just a depth guy for them. Your choice."

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by EM11

Isn't the missing link in this discussion the fact that almost nobody of value would want to come to Calgary for what is going to be a pretty difficult and demoralizing season? How does Feaster sell it?

We would have to overpay by a significant amount, which is why I feel this is not the best window for us to target free agents.

But it looks like we are probably going to anyway.

We are likely going to pick-up a couple of good prospects this year, but they will probably be a few seasons from making an impact, so I see no value is trading Iginla/Bouwmeester, and then replacing them right away with free agents before the new core has matured. I am not optimisitc that the results would be better than what we have have the past 3 seasons.

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

We would have to overpay by a significant amount, which is why I feel this is not the best window for us to target free agents.

I'm fine overpaying on dollars just not on term and I think there will be a fair amount of guys out there who'll end up taking a 1 year deal next year after compliance buyouts and cap uncertainty factor in.

[Poe969]

just make sure there are no NTC/NMC contracts handed out!

[CliffFletcher]

I don't expect this team to turnaround, or the younger players to start commanding big salaries, for at least four years. So no need to hand out single-season contracts. We won't be jeopardizing anything by signing guys like Bozak and Clarkson to four year deals.

[ricardodw]

I think that the UFA market will be depressed next year. There are about 14 teams that will not have any cap room to make the bids on any UFA's

they will not have the 2-3.5M cap space for a Sarich or Stempniak or Stajan..... That is a main reason that they are still Flames and did not get picked up for a 7th round or 3rd round pick.

Then there are another 3-4 clubs that have internal caps -- Phx, Jets, Nashville

Then there are teams with room that have a bunch of their own guys that they have to sign ... St.L

There are only a few teams that will be able to offer outrageous Hudler / Wideman type deals.

This is a bad year to be a UFA.


and a good year to have cap space to be a buyer.


Clarkson, Fippulla and Horton while better than Hudler will not get any more than 4M for 4 years.

Even someone like Iginla will not be getting his 7M deal.

Pitsburgh has 8.5M in Cap space next year to sign 8 players.

Boston 7.6M to sign 8 players.

LA 14.3 M to sign 11 players

Chi 5.8 to sign 8 players.

There is very very low possibility that Iginla gets to play with one of his 4 preffered teams next year.

Right now the Flames would be the early leaders to sign Iginla to a 2 year 4M deal..... unless he is willing to give the Flames a home-town discount.

Oilers also have room for him along with the Leafs and the Jets and the Sens.

[AR_Six]

Originally Posted by StrykerSteve

Stay away from UFAs.
You're rebuilding, you don't go sign a bunch of aging, expensive veterans, at least not in year one.

COMPLETELY disagree. You go right ahead and sign guys on 1-3 year deals if you're rebuilding. Then when they're about to go UFA, you can trade them at the deadline for more picks.

Aging veteran UFA's is exactly what the team SHOULD be targeting right now. Get you some Patrik Elias. Grab that Brendan Morrow. Bring back that Regher. If any of them are worth something this time next year, you can at least get an extra prospect out of 'em, and if not, hey, no worries, they'll be gone soon after - and long before they're taking up cap space that could be better used on up and coming players.

[calumniate]

Originally Posted by AR_Six

COMPLETELY disagree. You go right ahead and sign guys on 1-3 year deals if you're rebuilding. Then when they're about to go UFA, you can trade them at the deadline for more picks.

Aging veteran UFA's is exactly what the team SHOULD be targeting right now. Get you some Patrik Elias. Grab that Brendan Morrow. Bring back that Regher. If any of them are worth something this time next year, you can at least get an extra prospect out of 'em, and if not, hey, no worries, they'll be gone soon after - and long before they're taking up cap space that could be better used on up and coming players.

I agree with you to a certain point, but it's pretty much impossible to sign UFA's to 1-3 year deals. Though it does allow you to keep the cupboards full with picks and prospects at the expense of the cap.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by calumniate

I agree with you to a certain point, but it's pretty much impossible to sign UFA's to 1-3 year deals. Though it does allow you to keep the cupboards full with picks and prospects at the expense of the cap.

Yep. Most premiere UFAs will be looking for cash and term, and many for NMC as well. If they don't get it from us, they will from someone else.

[AR_Six]

Originally Posted by calumniate

I agree with you to a certain point, but it's pretty much impossible to sign UFA's to 1-3 year deals. Though it does allow you to keep the cupboards full with picks and prospects at the expense of the cap.

Dallas managed to sign a couple - Whitney and Jagr - and trade for another in Roy. The return wasn't stellar on those guys by any means over the past couple of days as the market wasn't particularly strong, but in principle, the idea works. The only reason they didn't get anything for Whitney is injury issues. They may next year, they may not. And who cares? Won't cost them anything when he leaves.

[Yoho]

Yeah but there are so many teams at or near the cap for next year, I bet we could land a few Jagr type UFA deals. Just be firm on term and get the offers out there.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Yoho

Yeah but there are so many teams at or near the cap for next year, I bet we could land a few Jagr type UFA deals. Just be firm on term and get the offers out there.

To what end though? Those types of free agents might get us to 12th and right back to tweener country.

Patience is the key to a rebuild. Let the core develop, get a couple more high picks, then go for it with free agents.

[Bourque's Twin]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

Yep. Most premiere UFAs will be looking for cash and term, and many for NMC as well. If they don't get it from us, they will from someone else.

There aren't too many premier UFA's available this year and now that the cap is going lower, there won't be Hudler/Wideman contracts being handed out.
Good UFA's will be signing 3-year deals.

[AR_Six]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

To what end though? Those types of free agents might get us to 12th and right back to tweener country.
Patience is the key to a rebuild. Let the core develop, get a couple more high picks, then go for it with free agents.

Because you still have to put a product on the ice and it is counterproductive to prospect development to rush players who aren't ready for the NHL into the NHL. Not to mention, I wouldn't worry too much - I doubt a top line of Glencross, Camalleri and Jagr is going to light the West on fire. Particularly if Kiprusoff retires.

[t0rrent98]

Feaster's going to have a tough time acttracting UFA's this season. With Iginla likely not coming back, I don't see a real point of big name players coming to play for Calgary.

Only way I see it is if the players come because they like the atmosphere of the city, along with the fans.

[Phanuthier]

Originally Posted by t0rrent98

Feaster's going to have a tough time acttracting UFA's this season. With Iginla likely not coming back, I don't see a real point of big name players coming to play for Calgary.

Only way I see it is if the players come because they like the atmosphere of the city, along with the fans.

some may be looking for a 2nd chance, i bet we could get some buyouts this year on a 1 year deal. Might have to give them a lot for 1 year, but pickers can't be choosers. Maybe our No 1 C friend, Brad Richards.

[ricardodw]

Montreal was 28th overall just last year.

They went out and signed Prust and Armstrong and re-signed UFA Moen,

Replaced Cole with Ryder.... Cammelleri with Bourque.

Bought out to get rid of Gomez and are playing 2 talented kids under 20. (Gallagher and Galenychuk).. protected by Armstrong White Prust Moen and Bourque.

The only thing that is different from what than the Flames are facing is Carey Price and Markov taking Kaberle's minutes.

The Flames should have Baertschi and the #1 pick doing as good as Gallagher and Galenychuck..... provided they get some gritty guys to protect them.



The KEY to Montreal coming back was dumping the small skilled guys Cammalleri and Gomez.


The Flames have to somehow get rid of Cammalleri and Tanguay.